“Oh, no!” Gina gives me a sad face. “I’m so sorry.”
Even Maverick’s expression darkens. “I’m sorry, Dove.”
He puts a hand on my back, rubbing it up and down.
“Thanks, guys.” I shake my head, touching the unexpected tears from my eyes. “I don’t know why it still makes me cry a little. She had such a long, full life.”
“Our pets are our family.” Gina returns to where we’re standing, taking my hand. “Especially heroic pets like Akela.”
“She was the best dog.” I nod, my nose hot.
Maverick pulls me to his chest again for a hug. “Don’t cry. I’m already working on Carla to let us adopt her if you want.”
My heart squeezes, but I shake my head. “That’s really sweet of you both, but don’t do it for me. I’ll be studying allthe time, then I’m heading back to Louisiana when I’m done.”
“Right.” His expression changes slightly.
Gina wrinkles her nose at him. “In that case, we also have a cat in need of a good home if you’re interested. Cats areverylow maintenance.”
“Don’t tempt me with a good time,” I tease, looking at my bags on the floor. “Anybody want to help me get these upstairs?”
The words have hardly left my mouth when Mav swoops up my suitcase in one hand and my bag in the other. “Lead the way.”
“I think she’d be more comfortable in Haddy’s old room.” Gina grabs my other bag, and I collect the rest of my belongings before following them to the second floor.
Haddy’s old room is bright yellow with wooden blinds and heavy blackout curtains over the windows. It’s right next to the bathroom. The queen-sized bed is made up in a light green and pink floral, shabby-chic quilt with matching pillow shams.
The walls are bare, and the only thing that gives it character is a lone bookshelf in the corner, where a collection of hockey romances is shelved. I walk over to scan the titles, thinking I might have to do a little extracurricular reading.
“Make yourself at home,” Gina announces. “Haddy is officially married and gone, so however you want to decorate it is fine with us.”
“I don’t know if I’ll do much decorating… Does that meanyou’renot quite gone?”
“Mentally, I’m gone, but technically…” Gina groans, draping a hand over her face. “Moving is such a drag. I’m doing my best, but I can’t seem to get motivated to pack boxes.”
Mav stands at the door, holding the doorjamb overhead as he watches us. It causes the muscles in his arms to flex attractively, and the hem of his shirt rises, revealing the lower half of a nicely toned torso.
My ears heat, and I clear my throat, blinking away fast. The last time we were together, he was a cute boy. Now he’s all man, muscles, square jaw, outgoing and friendly, noticing everything.
I wonder what he’s thinking as he watches us. He’s like a sexy puzzle box tempting me from the doorway.
“What do you think, Mav? Is Gigi holding onto her old room out of a fear of commitment?” I’m totally teasing, and he grins.
“Nah,” he teases back, ridiculously adorable. “She’s just lazy.”
“Rude!” Gina gives him a gentle shove. “I’ve really just been worried about you being here all alone.”
“Well, he’s not alone now,” I announce.
Looking up, I meet his smile. It’s satisfied, like he likes me in his house, like he’s been waiting for me to be here, and now I am.
It makes me think of being a child waiting for Christmas or summer vacation. The way you feel when it arrives.
“Well, I’d better head on back to my own little brood.” Gina squeezes my wrist. “I’ll let you know about Kelani.”
She gives her cousin a playful poke in the ribs, muttering about showing him lazy, and then she’s gone, leaving the two of us standing together in my new bedroom.
I blink up at him, and he hesitates a moment. He’s still watching me with those smoky hazel eyes.
