“Really?”
“Brad doesn’t think so, but I know what I saw. But Brad refused to think his buddy’s girl tried anything. Hell, maybe it’s just that I didn’t like her much. I don’t know. Reggie would never hear a word against his precious Amy, so I never mentioned it. And we still don’t talk about her or Rachel because it hurts him.” He looked her over and waited for the lady to hand back the kitten.
“We’re going to go fill out the adoption form.” The woman smiled. “Can you hold him for us?”
The little guy meowed, and Maggie set him back down with his littermates. “Sure thing.”
The lady and her children left.
Mack said, “I just wanted you to know. I like you. You don’t seem like the using type.”
She stared at him. “I’m not.”
“Then help keep an eye on him when the next sob story comes rolling in. I don’t want to see him hurt again. He deserves better.”
Maggie agreed. She gave Mack a kiss on the cheek, and he pulled back, startled.
“You’re a good friend, Mack. And that’s not me making a move, just stating a fact.” She smiled. “But my daughter thinks Reggie is better.”
He chuckled. “Your kid is of course wrong, but she has good taste.” He left her to help someone with a dog.
The adoption went well. And two hours after arriving, Maggie and Reggie walked back to his car, the others following. But once there, Maggie yanked him down and gave him a kiss to remind him he was hers. Behind them, Tex let out a wolf whistle.
“Hot damn, girl. Best you get on home before you set his hair on fire. What little he has left.” He laughed before disappearing into his truck.
Behind him, Brad and Mack hooted.
Reggie opened the door for her and quickly got in. “What the hell was that?” His crazed smile indicated he wanted more.
“I don’t like everyone looking at you. You’re mine.”
His smile grew wider. “Yes, I am. Now let’s go home so you can do that again. But maybe without so many clothes on this time. And remember, I have a lot more groveling to do.”
“As if I could forget.” But on the way home, she continued to harbor just a sliver of doubt. Did Reggie really love her, or did he, deep down, just need someone new to save?
Chapter Twenty-Three
By Saturday, Reggie felt as if he’d missed something. Maggie had been loving and smiling but growing more distant. He had work, and they were slammed with crazy calls, so he and the guys had assisted the other crew with medical emergencies when they could. They also had a fire to put out that could have turned serious had they not arrived when they did.
He felt good about that one.
By the time his shift ended, he was tired. Maggie had texted that she was getting Emily at noon, and he was more than welcome to wait with her.
But after their weird week, he thought it best to come over later, once Emily had settled into a familiar rhythm at home again. No matter what Maggie said, he’d seen the effects of a dysfunctional parental dynamic and didn’t want to add to any trouble.
He said goodbye to the guys and sat in his car, needing a breather.
The phone rang, and he picked it up on autopilot. “Yo?”
“Reggie?”
He froze at the familiar little girl’s voice. “Rachel?”
“Reggie, I miss you,” she cried.
“Honey, are you okay?” Movement in his rearview pulled his attention.
To his shock, she and her mother walked behind his car. He quickly exited. “What the heck are you guys doing here?”
