He laughs without humor, his posture relaxing. “It’s me we’re talking about. I’m always okay. I’ll move on eventually. It’s what I do. Always moving forward.”
Something about his words brings a sense of peace over me, but also a little sadness. I want the best for Maverick. He deserves everything good this world has to offer.
Before I have the chance to overthink it too much, he speaks up again, “Come on, let’s get out of here. I’ll walk you to your car.” He rises to his feet and reaches for my hand. I follow his lead, standing then wrapping my arm around his, grabbing for my purse as we make our way outside. As soon as my purse is flush against my body, I can feel the vibrations from my phone.
Jett is still calling. He goes no contact to give me space, and now he’s suddenly blowing up my phone—impatient asshole.There’s no question that he and I also need to have a discussion, but it isn’t one I’m willing to have on the phone.
He just has to wait until I am ready, just like he told me he would.
Things between Maverick and me may be settled now, and I know now that Jett is my endgame—he always has been. But that doesn’t mean I’m ready to run into his open arms. There are still things we need to work out before we can move forward.
Maverick and I push through the doors and are greeted with the crisp night air and the bustling city of New Orleans. I fell in love with this city because of Maverick. Hell, I was able to fall in love withlivingagain, thanks to him.
The sounds of the busy city fill the air, just as a comfortable silence falls between us. The cafe is located in the heart of New Orleans, but this street isn’t one of the busier ones. Tonight, it’s almost empty. Few cars pass by, and barely any pedestrians are on the sidewalk with us.
I take a moment to take it all in. For the first time in my adult life, I’m choosing myself. Not the part of me that fought off my feelings, but the part of me that I locked away for so long. I’m not hiding anymore. No matter what, it’s time to be true to myself.
Looking over at Maverick, I softly grab his arm again, pulling him to a stop with me.
“Thank you, Mav. Thank you for teaching me that I am worthy of loving myself,” I say, flashing him a soft, genuine smile.
The corners of his mouth turn up ever so slightly just as he pulls me into his tight embrace that has and will always bring me comfort.
“Just promise me you’ll give him hell. Always demand the love and respect you deserve.” His voice is soft, and the words come out choppy, as if filled with emotions. Just as he releases me, he flashes a forced flat-line smile.
“Psh.This is me we’re talking about. When do I ever make anything easy?” I say with a laugh that he returns.
Maverick shakes his head, and the sweet sound of his genuine chuckle sends another wave of comfort through me.
We can do this.
I don’t want to know a life again in which Maverick doesn’t somehow play a role.We can remain friends. Maybe, just maybe, that’s what we were always meant to be. Perhaps we just read the signals wrong, and now we’re finding our way to what was always the plan for us.
With a smile still tugging at my mouth and peace in my heart, we begin walking again, making our way toward the crosswalk that leads to the side street where my car is parked.
Just as we step off the sidewalk and onto the empty crosswalk, I’m suddenly stopped in my tracks by someone calling my name.
“Izabel Landry!” An unfamiliar male voice calls out from behind, causing Maverick and me to spin and face him.
He knows my name, so it has to be someone Maverick knows from the cafe.
At least, that’s what I told myself until I glance up at Maverick, searching for answers, but he looks just as confused as I feel.
What the fuck?
Chapter sixty-eight
Maverick
December 2025
Confusion consumes me as we turn around, only to be met with a quickly approaching stranger.How the fuck does Izzy know this sketchy-looking guy?
The man is wearing all black, but what unsettles me the most is the sinister smile painted across his face.
Looking down, I’m met with Izzy’s eyes searching my face, and I can tell she’s just as confused by this stranger as I am. Instinctively, I grab her hand and pull her to my side.
Being the firecracker she is, she pulls from my grasp and begins to mouth off, blatantly refusing to let me take the lead.
