But it all paled to how right Maverick felt in my arms. How well we fit together. He liked my ornery side, but he knew how to call me on my crap. He was sweet and thoughtful, but he had a sharp and clever tongue, too.
Even now, he knew exactly what to say to calm mybeating heart. He kissed my neck, breath hot against me, and murmured, “I love it, too.”
It wasn’t anI love you—not from me or him—but I heard it there, hiding between syllables, just waiting until we were ready for it to be said.
CHAPTER 27
Maverick
“Oh,Maverick, it’s so wonderful to meet you!”
Damon’s mother swept me into a big hug the second Damon and I approached her at the Cassidys’ anniversary party.
I’d overseen the delivery of the flowers, a mix of pink lilies and white gladiolas. This time, I had a proper van to do the job. Damon had ridden along and helped me situate one on each table in the Prince family barn that operated as an event venue.
“Okay, don’t suffocate him,” Damon said, pulling me free of his mother’s arms. “Let me introduce him first.”
“Oh, but this is your boyfriend!” she said. “There’s no introduction necessary.”
The warmth in her voice made my heart squeeze. “It’s really nice to meet you both.” I held out a hand to Damon’s father. “Mr. Cassidy.”
He shook my hand. “Call me Craig. We don’t get too formal around here.”
“Or you can call him Dad,” Damon’s sister, Wendy, said with an impish grin. “Assuming you’re not going to get tired of my annoying brother and kick him to the curb.”
Damon pulled a strand of her hair. “Brat.”
Wendy stuck out her tongue, and Damon’s parents ignored their antics. I was guessing it was commonplace.
“Oh, the flowers look lovely too,” Damon’s mom said. “Thank you so much.”
I smiled. “I’m glad you like them. There’s no specific flower for a 35th anniversary, so I split the difference. Lilies are traditionally for thirty years and represent pride and devotion. Gladioli are for the 40th year, and they symbolize strength and integrity.”
“Oh, that’s so interesting,” she said. “Isn’t it, hon?”
Her husband blinked. “Uh-huh. Do we get the boyfriend discount on the cost of all this symbolism?”
“Craig!” She clapped her hands to rosy cheeks. “Don’t be a cheapskate. We’re celebrating thirty-five years of marriage here!”
“And it’s cost me alot,” he said with a playful wink.
“Don’t listen to him,” she said. “Your lovely work is worth every penny.”
“Thank you,” I said.
I could already tell Sharon and I were going to get along great.
Damon cleared his throat. “Looks like folks are arriving. We’ll move aside so you can greet your guests.”
He guided me toward a table where his sister and her husband, Neil, were taking a seat. “I thought you said your dad was a grump,” I said.
“He’s in a better mood when he’s not recovering from surgery.”
Wendy grinned. “Damon just complains because Daddy likes me better.”
Damon rolled his eyes. “Because you’ve got him fooled. We know you’re really a spoiled brat.”
She shrugged. “As long as Dad doesn’t think so, I’m good.”
