No, itwasa growl.She glowered at him.“Samantha is Bryce’s girlfriend.I hadn’t met her before, but I liked her.They watched the game, and we went shopping and had a meal before they dropped me at the airport.”
Henry winced.“Someone posted photos of you on social media, and they found their way into my feed.I was jealous because you looked so happy with that guy.I didn’t realize it was your friend, Bryce.Sorry.For a moment, I thought it was Samuel.”
Chapter 29
“Ifyouthinkthat,you don’t know me at all.Samuel is in my past, and I’d be happy if I never saw him again.”
Henry read Maia’s expression and apologized again.“I’m sorry.I won’t make the same mistake again.”He didn’t mention the nasty posts about their difference in age because they had plain stung.Hell, no wonder he was making a mess of this with Maia.The maliciousness had pushed at his pride and made him question their compatibility and spun him right back to the start of their relationship.The posts had pushed him into panic.
“Make sure you don’t,” she snapped.“I’ll show you the photos Sam took for me.There are also photos of the three of us and Bryce and Sam together.”She poked him in the chest.“I have not behaved inappropriately.We tried the dating thing years ago, and it was weird.Oh, I don’t care!”And she stalked from the airport with her nose in the air.
Henry took a moment to admire his woman before jogging to catch up.He’d been dumb to let his fears take grip.Everything he knew about Maia told him she was upfront and honest and didn’t care that he was older than her.He had to remember that.It didn’t matter what other people thought.It was what he and Maia thought that counted.
Yeah, he’d need to do some heavy-duty groveling because he was a dumbass.He joined her, where she’d come to a halt, realizing she had no idea where he’d parked.
“Maia, I apologize again for thinking you’d been cheating.I don’t have an excuse.I just reacted.Please, let me take your case for you.”
She handed it over.“For the record, the only man I’m interested in is you.I don’t cheat.I never have and never will.That behavior goes against everything my parents and teachers taught me.”
“Noted,” he said.“This way.”His phone pinged, and he made a mental note to turn off notifications.He didn’t need business stuff in his head when watching out for Maia’s safety.This entire situation was frustrating as hell.He’d prefer facing the enemy head-on rather than dealing with a skulking unsub in the shadows.
He placed the suitcase down and unlocked the vehicle with his remote before opening the door for Maia.“You must’ve done heavy-duty shopping.”
“I picked up notebooks and found reference books to replace my damaged ones.I also bought a pair of running shoes and clothes while I had the opportunity.”
Henry rounded the vehicle to get in the driver’s side.“How did your game go?I saw the result online, but the article didn’t say much.Just that your team won unexpectedly against the team leading the competition.”
Maia beamed, and every bit of wariness faded into the background.She didn’t sulk, and that was lucky for him.
“We had an exceptional game.It was the first time everyone in our team worked together.They passed the ball instead of trying to go alone.Our set pieces worked perfectly, and Jan’s kicking was on point.She didn’t miss one.”
“Your coaches must be pleased.They’ve looked like they wanted to tear their hair out during the games I’ve watched.”
“Yeah, the win satisfied them.”Maia’s phone beeped, and she wriggled to get it from her jeans pocket.“What the heck?”
“What is it?”
She handed him the phone, and he saw several photos—some of him and some of Bryce.Maia was the connection in several of the photos.The heading of the social media post said, “Trouble in Paradise?”
“Someone is spying on us,” Maia said, her gaze traveling the vicinity.“And trying to create trouble.”
Henry started his vehicle and pulled out of the car park.“They were quick to post the photo of our supposed argument.”
Maia’s brows rose.“It was close to a quarrel.”
“But I apologized and meant every word.It won’t happen again.”
“It better not.”Maia glanced back toward the airport terminal building.“I can’t see anyone.”
“Neither can I.”But now that he wasn’t so irked with Maia, a prickling sensation made his wolf slide uneasily beneath his skin.Someonewaswatching them, but he couldn’t figure out their position.
Never mind.Best to retreat.
“Would you like to stop for dinner or have something at home?”Henry asked.
“We had a late lunch.I’m not hungry,” Maia said.“Are you?”
“I’d feel better if we were off the road.I haven’t spotted anyone, but the middle of my back is itching.”
