A dangerous sting hits the back of my eyes, and I glance away for a moment, breathing slowly.
Maverick doesn’t miss the gesture.
“So, how about we look through merch and sign stuff?” I ask.
“Sign stuff?” She puts her hand over her heart.
“Lots of stuff. Whatever you’d like,” I answer with a broad grin. “I’m here to make this memorable.”
The glimmer in her eyes lets me know I’ve already exceeded the goal.
But Grayson’s expression is more ambivalent, like he’s weighing the cost of this interaction. Wondering if it’s healthy for his little girl.
I choke up a little at his protectiveness, excusing it away as nerves from tonight. But inside, I wonder how different my life might have been if I’d had a dad like Grayson.
All I know for sure is protection is quieter than I expected.
Chapter
Four
MAVERICK
“There’s only one bed.” She says it like itmatters. Like I can’t handle the rougher side of life.
“That’s right, Princess.”
“Princess? Why do you call me that?”
Is she really asking me this? The list off the top of my head is enough to fill a novel. I appraise her perfectly manicured pink nails, long buttery locks, soft green eyes, thick, fake lashes, and face slathered in makeup, the corners of my mouth twitching.
Instead of speaking, I search the cabin for extra blankets and pillows. Wouldn’t be the first night I spent on the ground. I’ve crashed here since arriving in town for the job, still not set on a place to call my own.
She gasps. “Wait, you can’t sleep on the floor.”
“Can and will.”
“But why?”
I stop, folding my arms tightly over my chest. “‘Cause you won’t.”
“Sleep on the floor? Never!”
I grunt, vindicated. The blankets hit the floor unceremoniously, followed by the pillows. Good enough for me.
“But…”
I lift an eyebrow.
She shakes her head.
“Want a drink?” I ask—already regretting the question. Her pink glitter eyeshadow screams party girl.
I head to the kitchen, checking the cupboards. Stacked shot glasses and tequila greet me. I close the door quickly, but she’s already noticed.
“Tequila shots?” she asks.
Great, the last thing she needs.
