Maverick stood and stepped forward, slapping me on the back with a smile. “Say the word, man. What can we do?”
Chapter 21
“Ilike your son.”The words bubbled past my lips like someone had given me the most potent truth serum available and was laughing in the wings as I blabbed my deepest secrets. Pressing my elbow against the solid Formica table in the coffee shop, I massaged my left temple in soothing circles, silently urging the headache to stay at bay for a little while longer.
“Wait. Hang on. I mean, I like all your sons. You did such a great job raising them, and the fact that you include me in so many family dinners and traditions means so much. So, of course, I like your sons. All four of them.”
Bev chuckled and reached across the table, laying her hand on mine. That simple gesture made my throat ache, as tears threatened to track down my cheeks. With a quick shake of my head, I recoiled and covered my mouth, trying to stifle the sob that escaped.
The dark roast drip coffee I’d ordered while waiting for Bev had lost its appeal, and I pushed it away. Bev pursed her lips, returning the hot coffee to its place in front of me and taking a drink of her iced matcha.
“Should we order pastries?” she asked, glancing at the large chalkboard behind the counter that listed the daily specials. “I feel like this conversation requires sugar, and you’re looking a little peaky.”
“Sugar? No. Nope. Perhaps a sedative, if this place offers those kinds of things, but not sugar. It’s all I’ve lived on for the last twenty-four hours, and my body might rebel if I have any more.”
“Oh, honey. I’m so glad nothing came up at work today so you wouldn’t have to cancel our breakfast date. Don’t worry, we’ll get you straightened out. And just so you know, I may be their mother, but I know my sons can be raging asshats at times.”
I smiled, not raising my eyes but letting the warmth of her words wash over me, heating my insides better than the hottest cup of coffee. Chancing a look at the poised woman I admired, Bev returned my smile, shaking her head as she rose from her chair and slung her purse over her shoulder. “Perhaps a fruit cup or overnight oats. Don’t worry, I know to stay away from dairy.”
She patted my hand and turned to the counter. I watched her review the menu, putting her hands on her hips as she waited. Perhaps I should have canceled our weekly breakfastdate because of my sour mood, but a little voice whispered this morning as I put on my chunky turquoise earrings, matching them with a bright suit jacket, that I was done canceling plans with people I cared about for work.
Even if there weren’t—thankfully—breakfast events for staff members to attend, the idea that I was so discombobulated with work that I’d considered canceling my standing plans with Bev was discouraging—and needed to stop.
Dinner dates with Bev and the boys at her condo. Drinks with the girls. That book club I was invited to but never managed to attend. What had missing those gotten me? Not a promotion. Not a thank you. Nothing but heartburn, ten pounds, and aggravation.
My priorities were out of whack and needed a hard reset. I ran a hand through my hair, untangling a curl beside my ear before taking a sip of coffee. The warm liquid flowed to my stomach, sending warmth throughout my body—almost like a physical sign that adjusting my priorities was the right call.
After deleting those ridiculous, useless dating apps, I exuded this intense feeling of contentment—something that had not been present in my life for months and further solidified that I’d finally gotten my head out of my ass and made the right decision.
Until Miller ruined everything.
Nope.
I shook my head, knowing I was to blame just as much, if not more, than he was.
Yes, his comments were awful, but mine were just as bad, leaving us in a place where my head felt like scrambled eggs, and my body was weighed down and sluggish. I glanced at Bev, who was pointing to the extensive menu behind the counter and nodding. The headache forming behind my eyes seemed placated by the coffee, and I took another sip and glanced out the window, watching the cars and people as they passed the cafe.
“Here, sweetie. Fruit bowl with acai. Avocado toast on multigrain bread, and overnight oats with honey and walnuts.”
She placed the food on the table, thanking the employee behind who helped carry our breakfast over. Bev had a chocolate croissant and a fruit smoothie, pushing her matcha to the side and taking a drink before arching one manicured eyebrow my way and waiting.
My stomach decided now was the right time to let out a loud grumble, and Bev chuckled, motioning to the food.
“Thank you,” I said, adding salt and pepper to the toast before taking a bite. I moaned, closing my eyes, and was so grateful Bev seemed to know exactly what I needed.
“Of course. Now, do you want to tell me what’s going on? I assume one of my sons did something to put you in such a state. I know work hasn’t been fantastic, but I can’t see you this distraught over a job.”
“You are far too observant,” I mumbled, gathering my thoughts and breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth. “Work has been tense, and things with Miller have gone from friendly to absurdly complicated.”
“Hmm,” she said, stirring the straw in her smoothie.
“We had sort of a standstill last week.”
“Right. When my neighbor, Cam, fell. I heard Miller grumbling to Magnum about leaving your house in a rush,” she said, stirring her matcha before taking a drink.
“Sort of,” I said, relaying the not-great decision-making skills both of us exhibited since the kiss.
“Then, last night—” My voice trailed off into silence as I took a large gulp of coffee. “Last night at a work event, I said some things, and so did he. Now, I don’t know where we stand, and that scares me more than finally admitting how much I like him.”
