“And embarrass him by having his mother hovering while he’s hanging with the team?” I shrugged. “Most of the other parents are going to have a nice meal downstairs. You should, too. It’s been a long day and tomorrow is going to be even longer. Brody will be great. This is his team now. He’s loving it.”
She hesitated, chewing her lip. Her gaze settled on him where he was sitting on the couch with a few of the others. They were howling with laughter and providing running commentary as they ate while they watched a couple of other boys play their video game.
“I don’t usually… I mean, I haven’t really…”
“Exactly.” I grinned. “That means you’re overdue. Just look at him. He’s having a blast and he doesn’t even know we’re still here.”
Her sigh was dramatic, but she let me guide her toward the elevator. Triumph surged through me and I glanced at her once we were descending.
“He really will be fine,” I murmured, not missing the tension on her features or the rigid set of her spine. “Brody needs to bond with these kids and it looks like he’s fitting right in. He seems to love them, but he’ll be aware that he’s a bit younger. I’m willing to bet bonding will be easier for him if we’re not hanging around.”
She let out a deep breath through her nostrils but gave me a tight smile and an even tighter nod. “I know. I know you’re right. It’s just hard to let go sometimes.”
I felt something inside soften. “It must be. Especially because it’s only been the two of you for so long, but you’re not alone anymore, Mais. His team will have his back now and I’ve got both of yours.”
She smiled slightly, but before she could respond, the elevator doors slid open. We strode into the lobby side by side. The lounge was in one corner, dim and cozy, the tables set with flickering candles while the hum of quiet conversation filled the air.
We ended up at a little booth of our own with the other parents scattered around us at other tables. I folded my arms over my chest. “So, what’s your poison?”
She arched a dark eyebrow at me. “My what?”
“Your go-to drink. Everyone’s got one. What’s yours? Is it a gin and tonic, like you ordered at that bar?”
“I don’t really know.” She toyed with the edge of her napkin, her gaze drifting around the room as if she was checking what the other parents were drinking. “I usually just stick to wine, but a gin and tonic seemed safer on a first date.”
“Wine is also safe. It’s predictable.” I gave her a mock-serious look. “I’m starting to worry you might be boring.”
Her eyes narrowed, a light suddenly sparking to life in them. “Boring? You got a little taste of my life today. It’s hectic. Was anything about that boring to you?”
“That’s a fair point.” I laughed, the sound sliding out of me easier than it had in months. “Okay, so maybe not boring. Maybe just cautious.”
“Cautious is smart,” she shot back, but mouth was twitching like she was fighting a smile.
I leaned in a little closer, holding her gaze and lowering my voice. “Cautious is fine, but sometimes, taking a risk is even better.”
The waiter came to take our order, but Maisie held my gaze for another beat before finally glancing up at him. “I’ll take a whiskey. Neat. Make it a double.”
My eyebrows shot up, the order feeling like a win. “Make that two, please.”
The waiter hummed his understanding and left us alone again, and Maisie refocused on me. “What about you? What’s your poison?”
I smirked and let my eyes linger on her just long enough. “I’ve got plenty, but right now, I’d say tequila. It makes me honest.”
Laughter burst out of her, surprised and genuine. It lit her whole face, and damn if it didn’t make me want to chase thatsound again and again. “Tequila makes you honest, huh? I’ll have to remember that.”
We slipped into easy conversation after that, trading stories and teasing each other every now and then. I found myself leaning in, brushing her knuckles when I gestured, and I watched the tension slowly bleeding out of her shoulders. My old charm was coming back out to play, but it didn’t feel like an act this time.
It felt real—and it was working on her.
Maisie relaxed enough that she was actually smiling between sips of her whiskey, her eyes lighting up when she teased me. The shift was subtle, but I noticed every bit of it.
“You know, for someone who claims to be terrible with cars, you managed to solve my entire transportation crisis in less than twelve hours,” she said. “That’s pretty impressive.”
I shrugged. “What can I say? I’m resourceful.”
Her lips curved into a skeptical smile, her eyes moving from one of mine to the other. “You’re something, alright.”
I grinned. “Something good?”
