Page 122 of Face Off
Maverick opens the door before I can knock, and I’m immediately handed a party hat.
“Required dress code.” He snaps the band around my chin and drags his fingers down my jaw. “Well done, Red. I’m proud of you.”
I blush at the praise and distract myself by shrugging off my coat. I add my boots to a pile of shoes, and I smile at the little pair of Nikes on top of the stack.
“Where are Dallas and Maven? How did you end up on babysitting duties?”
“I volunteered. They’re doing a dinner and champagne toast at the Four Seasons, and I got them a room for the night. They’ve been busy with their seasons and wrapping up the holidays, so I thought they deserved a little time to themselves tonight.”
“That was kind of you.”
He pulls me toward him and rests his hand on my hip. His thumb strokes down the inside of my thigh, and I sigh. “I like your sweatpants.”
“The host was adamant. He’s obnoxious.”
“Sounds like it.” Maverick cups the back of my head and urges his mouth to mine. The kiss sets my nerve endings on fire, and I feel like I’m floating high above the clouds. “Thanks for coming over.”
“Thank you for having me. I, uh, brought you a present. It’s a thank you for placing the highest bid for lunch with me at the charity gala auction. Now I don’t have to eat a meal with any creeps.”
“A present?” He smiles and takes the bag from me. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“It’s nothing big. It’s silly, really. Something stupid and?—”
“Can I open it?”
“Of course you can.”
Maverick plucks the tissue paper from the bag and pulls out a box. “A puzzle? Wow. Thanks, Emmy.”
“I got one with fewer pieces so you and June could put it together.” I shake my head. “I told you it’s silly.”
“No way. I’m adding it to the collection. I can never have enough puzzles, and this one is perfect.”
“I appreciate the auction bid, but we don’t have to actually go eat lunch anywhere.”
“What if instead of going to lunch with me, you went with Rachel instead?” he suggests. “The money is already going to a good cause, and I’d like her to go in my place.”
“That…” I nod, lost for words. “I’d really like that.”
“I’ll get in contact with her parents, and we’ll set something up.”
He holds my hand and guides me to the living room where June is sitting on the couch. She swings her legs back and forth, enthralled by the celebrations on the television.
“June Bug? Do you want to meet my friend Emmy?”
“Yes,” she squeals, jumping off the couch and running my way. “Wow, Uncle Mav. She’s really pretty.”
“Did you pay her to say that?” I ask him.
“Nope. That’s all her.” He bends down and picks her up, holding her against his side. “She is pretty, isn’t she?”
“I like your hair,” June tells me. “It looks like a fire.”
“Thank you.” I smile and touch one of her pigtails. “I like yours too.”
“Are you going to kiss Uncle Mav at midnight? Mommy and Daddy said you’re supposed to kiss someone special.”
“I’m not sure. Do you think I should kiss him?”
