Page 23 of Resilient Rhythms
“Excellent.” He stands and moves toward me. Leaning down, he wraps me in a loose hug but doesn’t even kiss my cheek.
Still, my eyes fall shut and I breathe him in.
He pulls away, amusement flaring in the depths of his gaze. “I’ll be in touch with the practice and game schedule, but it won’t be more than Thursday nights and Saturday mornings.”
“You’re serious?”
“We need to practice if we’re going to win, Mckenna,” he chides. “I’ll send you the information by tomorrow.” He moves toward the front door.
“That’s it? You’re going?”
“Told you, beauty, I was running an errand.” He eyes me again.
I sputter, pointing to myself. “I was your errand?”
“I have a higher success percentage if I do things in person. It’s my personality. I’m charming.” He shrugs playfully, that boyish grin I love cutting across his face.
He’s right; he is charming.
“Good luck studying.” He pulls open the front door.
I lift a hand in farewell. “See you later, Mav.”
He winks and then, he’s gone.
I glance around the empty brownstone, the energy of the space different now that Mav left.
He’s the best twister I’ve ever encountered.
I take another pull of my coffee and grin.
Then, I shower, dress, and meet Allegra for breakfast.
As I slide into the booth across from her, I’m still smiling.
“Mav?” My best friend correctly guesses.
“Is it that obvious?”
Allegra nods. “I’m happy for you, Kenny.”
“Nothing is happening.”
Allegra laughs. “Smart yet oblivious.”
I roll my eyes and open a menu, hiding my face.
But I can’t deny the bubble of laughter that crawls up my throat.
Will Maverick Tate evernothave this effect on me?
And will I ever have to find out?
“You didn’t really make fucking shirts,” Levi groans as I join the group in the bowling alley.
“You ever notice that bowling alleys smell the same everywhere in the country?” Derek remarks, taking a button-down short-sleeved shirt from Mav’s outstretched hand.
Levi grumbles as he yanks a shirt from Mav.
