She understood what he meant.No problems, she texted back before pocketing her phone.
Maia sat with Zara and Jan on the flight home.They’d attended the same school as Rebecca and had come up the ranks together.
The plane landed, and Maia grabbed her bag.It didn’t take long to deplane, and she spotted Henry easily.
“See you at training,” she said to her new friends and with a wave, headed for Henry.
Henry didn’t strike her as a demonstrative man, but he surprised her, grabbing her in a hug.“I was worried.I’m glad you came through the game unscathed.”
She squeezed him tight in return.“What’s for dinner?I’m hungry, and I can’t wait to grab a shower.”
“Didn’t you have one after the game?”Henry asked.
“The showers were busy.I washed as best I could and dressed warmly.I am not used to the colder weather.”
“Megan invited us to dinner,” Henry said.“You can shower in my rooms and grab my clothes if needed.”
“Are you sure?”
“If you’re tired, we can stay the night at my place.I’ll make sure you don’t get cold.”
His wink had her grinning, and she was still smiling when they left the airport for Middlemarch.
Chapter 21
“Whatareyoudoingtoday?”Henry asked, his deep rumble puffing warm air against her neck.
“I didn’t know you were awake.”Maia turned to face him and, on impulse, kissed his nose.“I need to work on my manuscript and get in some training.I’ll hook up with Isabella if she’s free.What about you?”
“I have a job in Roxburgh and a quote near Gabriel’s Gully.”
“Gabriel’s Gully?That’s where they first struck gold in New Zealand.”
“Correct.You could join me, and we’ll have lunch somewhere,” Henry said.
“I’d love to, but I must train if I want to play a bigger part in next week’s game.”
“I understand.”Henry checked the time.“It’s my turn to cook breakfast.Levi is an early riser and creates havoc if he’s unsupervised.Last week we had breakfast cereal over the counter and floor.”
Maia laughed and rolled over to get out of bed.Henry stayed her with a hand on her bare hip.
“A good morning kiss, first.”
Maia’s thoughts turned to morning breath, but after dreaming about Henry for so long, she wasn’t turning down a kiss.She sank into his embrace, and it ended way too soon.
“Any sore muscles after playing?”
“Nothing too bad, but I’ll have a hot shower before I dress.”
Henry stole another kiss and slid out of bed.He dressed with efficiency and slipped from his apartment.Maia stared after him, a tiny smile playing on her lips.She was halfway—no, maybe three-quarters of the way to falling in love with him.Every additional detail she uncovered intrigued her.There was a lot to like about the somber man.
After her shower, Maia changed into leggings and a long-sleeved training shirt.She pulled on thick socks to combat the cold.These chilly temperatures were not to her liking, and right now, she’d prefer Auckland’s winter rain.She called Isabella and organized a training session before she found London and Megan in the communal kitchen, the men and Levi long gone.
“I’m running home to take care of business stuff before I hook up with Isabella,” she said.
“Is that safe?”Megan asked.“Henry told us you had to call Laura and Charlie again.”
A shudder ran through Maia.“Creepy clowns are best in a movie, not breaking into my house.”She still had the skeleton and had decided to visit Caroline at the dress shop for help.“I’ll take Juno.Besides, I’ll have my phone.”
