I can’t help but grin back, my heart kicking up in time. “Yeah, please. Go ahead.”
“Okay,” she says, clasping her hands. “Were you or were you not flirting with me today?”
I choke on a scoff, and I quickly look down before I chuckle. “Wow, went for the jugular, huh?”
“What! I have to know.”
I roll my lips, then thread my fingers, knowing I look like one of those unconfident nerds who can’t talk to girls, rather than the alpha males she writes, the ones who tell the female main characters how badly they want them.
Men she probably likes.
I inhale deeply as my mind reels.
Put yourself out there.
Fucking Tessa.
I look up, meeting Maggie’s direct gaze. Her cheeks are rosy, and her lips are curved expectantly. Even with the stitches that, I have to say, are perfectly done, she’s a striking woman.
And I want to be honest with her.
“I was being a professional,” I say, and I expect her to be offended by my words.
But that’s not Maggie.
Leaning in with a sneaky smirk, she asks, “Professionally flirting with me?”
I chuckle. “Yes. Yes, I was.”
Her eyes dance with mine. “Then you’re attracted to me.”
I choke once more, shaking my head at her directness. She reminds me a lot of Tessa in that regard. That girl doesn’t thinka single thought through; she just talks and hopes for the best. “You are a very beautiful woman, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen,” I admit, and when I meet her gaze, hers is still wholly on me. “But I doubt you asked that because you needed the compliment. You know you’re gorgeous, Maggie.”
“I do, but I wanted to know if you thought so.”
I hold her gaze. “Why is that?”
“Because I find you very attractive, and I want to get to know you.”
I bite my lip, not daring to look away, even with my face burning. I cup the back of my neck and exhale. “I want to know you too.”
seven
. . .
Text Thread.
Monday,8:00 a.m.
Dermot: How are you feeling today?
Maggie: Better when I noticed the bouquet of flowers by the register. The card just read “D.” Is that for Doctor or Dermot?
Dermot: It’s for Dermot. Me. I got them for you.
Maggie: Phew, I thought it was for Dog, as in Kip.
Dermot: They’re from him too, but mostly me. Since I have opposable thumbs and can type in my bank information.
