Page 47 of Wild Love
“Yeah, I should head upstairs and get comfortable, I guess.”
“Do you need any help?”
“Nah, Charli will follow.” He finishes off his smoothie and places the empty glass in the dishwasher.
“How are you going to take Charli outside during the day?”
“I’ll manage,” he clips, and I slam my lips together to keep from smiling or calling him broody. A broody Maverick. I never thought I’d see the day.
“Okay. Well, if you need anything, just text me. And we should talk later. We still need to figure out everything with the endorsement and the apartment.” I wave a hand around my fabulous new place. I really do love it. After only a few days, I’m going to be sad to leave it. “I did some searching last night, and I found some apartment listings I’ll check out this week.”
“This place is already paid for,” he says. His tone and insinuation make it clear he thinks I’m being silly.
“You can sublease it.”
He chuckles. “God, you’re stubborn. And the internship?”
I lift my heel and curl my toes into the hardwood floor. “I will continue on one condition.”
“Name it.”
“I want to be unpaid like all the other interns.”
“You’re doing more than the other interns.”
“Do we have a deal?”
“No.” He leans on his crutches. “Look, the job you’re doing for me is worth every penny I’m paying. If you want to reimburse me for the other bullshit, fine, but I’m not letting you go unpaid all summer for a job I’d hire out regardless.”
“The Maverick Company could have done all of it for you. My being here is pointless.”
“Not to me.” He hobbles over, so he’s standing in front of me. “I was always going to hire someone else to oversee the endorsement. I don’t want them calling any more shots than is absolutely necessary.”
“Why?”
“Because...” There’s bite in his tone that makes me hold my tongue. He roughs a hand through his hair. “My dad looks out for the Maverick Company first and foremost. I don’t have anyone. I guess I wanted a third party to look out for me, and I knew you’d do that.”
“Johnny.” I reach out and rest my hand on his chest. I’m angry at his dad and sad for him all at once. Also, I think he severely overestimates how much power I have. The Maverick Company has the final sign-off on everything I create. “You have lots of people. Me included. Although, I’m a little nervous about how much faith you’re putting in me. I don’t have any idea what I’m doing.”
“I trust you.” One side of his mouth hitches up.
I hope that trust isn’t seriously misguided. “I should get ready for work. We can figure out all the details tonight. Are you going to be okay on your own today?”
“I’ll be fine.” He heads toward the door. “Have a good day at work, honey.”
I shake my head as I watch him leave and then wander back into my room.
He’s back a minute later. He doesn’t knock, and I scream as he walks into my bedroom while I’m taking off my T-shirt.
“Oh, shit, sorry.” He hops around on one foot and faces the other direction.
“What are you doing back?” I ask, fumbling for my shirt and pulling it over my head inside out.
“I had an idea.”
My heart still races as I kick my bra toward the closet. “You can turn around now.”
He smirks. “Three times now you’ve flashed me. I think you’re doing it on purpose.”
