“You checked in on Facebook yesterday. Then today you posted a selfie on Instagram and tagged this location. That’s a dangerous habit, posting your whereabouts online for everyone to see.”
“You’re stalking me on social media?” I ask incredulously.
“Yeah, I am.”
Unfrigginbelievable! I’ll be changing the privacy settings on my accounts ASAP. I face forward, determined to ignore him.
Maverick will not ruin my day. This isn’t Montgomery. His untouchable status doesn’t apply here. One wrong move and I’m calling the cops on his ass. Twenty minutes later, I’m all done and at the front desk, preparing to pay the bill. Maverick hovers at my side, working my last goddamn nerve.
“How much do I owe you?” I ask Mai.
“One hundred and thirty dollars.”
I rummage through my purse, looking for my debit card, but Maverick hands her two crisp one-hundred-dollar bills.
“Keep the change,” he says.
That’s a helluva tip.
“Thanks so much, and Happy Thanksgiving to you both!” Mai scurries away, smiling brightly, her trepidation from his presence evaporating.
“What’s your cash app?” I grit out. “I’ll pay you back right now.”
“No need,” he says. “My treat.”
“I could be starving and still wouldn’t take a penny from you.”
“Well, you don’t have a choice.”
I barrel out the door and speed walk towards my car, Maverick hot on my heels. I whirl on him.
“Stop following me!” I yell.
His fists clench and unclench at his sides. “Go to dinner with me this evening and I will.”
“Absolutely fucking not.” I slice my hand through the air impatiently. “What part of ‘no’ aren’t you comprehending?”
“Please,”he hisses,surprising me.
I bet my bottom dollar that’s a word he’s not accustomed to using.
An idea pops in my head. “Dee mentioned you had a rough childhood.”
“Dee has a big fucking mouth,” Maverick growls. “What else did he say?”
“That’s it, but I want to know everything. Answer all my questions and I’ll agree to one date.”
This decision will come back and bite me in the ass, but part of me needs to understand him.
He nods. “Deal.”
“What does Dee mean?”
“Not now, after our date.”
“Maverick—”
“I promise.”
