Chapter Eighteen
Just The Two Of Us
Zora
I haven’t been on a date in years.
Not a real one, anyway.Dinner with Ethan has always been comfortable and predictable, like sliding into a well-worn sweater.But agreeing to one night with Maverick feels like standing at the edge of a cliff.
For three days after I said yes, I wrestle with myself.Part of me wants to cancel, to shut the door and retreat into the safety of our strange new co-parenting arrangement.But every time I look at Ivy, curled up with the teddy bear Maverick gave her, every time she talks about him with that unshakable brightness, I know I can’t.Because it isn’t just about me anymore.It’s about the three of us.
So here I am, standing in front of my closet longer than I’ll ever admit.Dresses I haven’t touched in years hang limply, their colors too bold, too revealing for the woman I’ve become.My hands hover over jeans, a soft blouse.Safe.Neutral.
But then I remember the way Maverick crouched down to Ivy’s level, the way he held Bun-Bun like it was sacred, and I realize this isn’t about trying to impress him with glamour.This is about being myself.So, I choose the blouse.Something soft, something honest.
When the doorbell rings, my heart skips so violently I have to press a hand to my chest.
Ivy bounds down the hall with Bun-Bun, expecting him.“Mav!”she squeals, even though he isn’t there for her tonight.
He crouches low, grinning, his eyes flicking to me before he answers her.“Hey, Trouble.Are you going to be good for the while I borrow Mommy for a little while?”
She giggles, nodding, curls bouncing.And just like that, the tension in my chest eases.Because this isn’t only about me and him.It’s about the little girl watching us, needing to know we can exist side by side without breaking apart.
I hug and kiss her goodbye before handing her off to the nanny and letting Maverick lead me to his car, his hand on the small of my back sending heat through my entire system.His touch has always affected me like this.
We drive into town with the windows down, the air warm against my skin.Maverick is quiet at first, one hand steady on the wheel, the other drumming lightly against his thigh.
“You look beautiful, Zora.”
I glance at him, my cheeks warming at the casual compliment.“Thank you.”
Silence stretches, not uncomfortable, just weighted.Then he adds, softer, “I wasn’t sure you’d actually come.”
I laugh, a little shaky.“Honestly?I wasn’t sure either.”
His mouth curves, wry but warm.“But you did.”
“Yes.I did.”
We drive in silence until he stops the car.He opens the door for me and guides me inside.The restaurant is small, tucked into a corner of Franklinton, all soft music and string lights that hum against the dark.Not fancy, not loud.Just steady.
And it strikes me then, he chose a place that wouldn’t overwhelm me.Wouldn’t overwhelmus.We slide into a booth, menus in hand, the space between us charged with everything unsaid.
For a while, we talk about Ivy, her new obsession with horses, the way she insists Bun-Bun likes purple best.It is safe ground, easy laughter threading between us.
But eventually, Maverick sets his menu down, his eyes steady on mine.“You’re still looking at me like I might explode any second.”
I flinch.“I’m not...”
“You are.”His voice is quiet, not accusing.“And I get it.I gave you plenty of reasons to expect the worst from me.But Zora...”He leans forward, his hand braced against the table.“I’m not that guy anymore.I can’t be.Not if I want her to look at me the way she did at the park.”
Tears sting my eyes before I can stop them.Because I saw it.That trust.That light.
