"Yeah, Aspen was giving me a hard time," I grumbled, remembering her grilling.
Mom laughed. "She wants you to pair off so you'll leave her alone."
"Is she dating anyone?" It would be nice to get the heat off me.
Mom just gave me a look. "I wouldn't tell you. She said you'll drive any guy away. Besides, I don't think she dates anyone seriously anyway."
"Yeah?"
"That girl can't commit to anything. She works multiple part-time jobs, not knowing what her career is. I don't understand her."
Aspen had always been a source of worry for Mom. "She came home so abruptly, and she never said why."
I leaned against the counter, the room smelling like apples and cinnamon. "She wouldn't talk about it."
"That girl. She's going to give me gray hairs."
I raised a brow because she already had gray.
"Don't say anything," Mom chided me, and I laughed.
Maverick walked in, slapping me on the back. "Merry, Merry."
Mom hugged him. "Merry Christmas."
"Where's your mini-me?" Maverick asked, sitting on the stool next to me.
"Ayla? She's at home with her mother."
He raised a brow. "I would have thought you'd invite them for dinner."
"They have their own thing going on. I might stop by later. Bring them dessert."
He waggled his brows. "Is that what we're calling it these days?"
Mom gave him a look. "Please don't talk like that in my kitchen."
He looked contrite. "Sorry, Mom."
She shook her head. "You think a sorry absolves you of all guilt."
"Doesn't it?" I asked innocently.
"It only works if you don't do it again, and I have a feeling it won't be the last time you say some"—she waved her hand in the air—"innuendo in my house."
"I'll do better," Maverick said.
She nodded. "See that you do."
"It's just the two of them for the day."
He cocked his head. "Where's Ayla's father?"
"I don't know much about him. He lives around here though. From what I can gather, Ayla sees him on Wednesday nights and some weekends."
"Dating a single mom isn't easy. You gotta deal with the ex and any drama that comes with it," Maverick said.
"I haven't seen him yet. Maybe he's a nonissue." She certainly hadn't called him when she needed help with the bike.
