My neck heats, and I’m not sure if it has more to do with the mention of Nathan or that Maverick knows I’m the typeof girl to have a favorite pen. Not only that, but exactly which one it is. He might have a cocky know-it-all attitude, but I’m not ready to admit he’s right.
“I’m more of a Pentel EnerGel kind of girl,” I lie.
He eyes me skeptically, and I know it shouldn’t, but it unnerves me.
“You ready for a shot?” he asks, reaching for my drink. He holds the straw out of his way, brings the glass to his lips, and takes a sip of the clear liquid.
The thick column of his throat works as he downs the rest of my drink, and barely a day into pretending to date him, I’m already breathless.
“I actually think I’m going to get going soon.”
He lifts his wrist, checking the time on his watch. “It’s barely past ten. Friday movie night at Creekside parties harder than you.”
My shoulders drop and I feel a tug at my lips. It shouldn’t make me feel any sort of way about him that he remembered tonight’s movie night, but the more I’m around Maverick, the more I see pieces of who he really is. Unfortunately for me, everything he’s showing me is nothing like I expected, and everything that I like.
“I’ve just had a long day, and I’m kind of tired.” It’s not a total lie. Ihavehad a long day. The way my body is humming just being on the receiving end of Maverick's attention, though, is anything but tired.
“Tell me about it.”
I shake my head. “You wouldn’t care.”
“You think I ask about things I don’t care about?”
I hesitate and he doesn’t rush me—just reaches for one of the beers while keeping his elbow on the table being patient as hell.
“Okay, well, I had a tutoring session this morning, and then I had two back-to-back classes.” I comb my fingers through my hair, flipping it all over to one side. “Then I wentto the library to get some studying done, but I ended up working on my manuscript, and before I knew it, four hours had gone by and I still hadn't cracked open a textbook or completed a single practice quiz."
“What do you mean by manuscript?”
I shake my head, suddenly startled when I realize I’ve said that outloud. It’s one thing to get drunk and tell him about Nathan. That part of my life lives at the forefront of my brain at all times. But my manuscript is so far on the back burner, I hardly even talk about it with Savannah.
My stomach twists a little and I try to cover it. “You know what? I’m probably just hungry. I haven’t had anything to eat since breakfast.”
“Let’s go get some food.”
“What?” I pause mid-way off my stool.
“There’s a pizza place around the corner, they give out slices the size of your torso.” He points to me. “Let’s go.”
“I—” I look around, either to remind him that he came out to the bar tonight, or for an answer, I’m not sure. When I turn back around, Maverick is standing directly in front of me, and I have to crane my neck back to look at him. That warm scent of his cologne consumes me again, and despite the blaring music, the steady buzz of voices, and the pounding of the base, I get lost in him. There’s no stopping him when his hand finds the small of my back, and my chest flutters as he turns me around, guiding us to the front door and out into the chilly night air.
12
maverick
“I bet wearingmy jersey doesn’t sound like such a bad idea now, huh?” I point my gaze at Chloe’s cut of jean shorts, noting the way her skin breaks out in goosebumps. It feels safer than focusing on her fire engine red T-shirt that barely covers her belly button.
“Usually, I have tequila to warm me from the inside out when I leave Rowdy’s.” Her teeth chatter and she clutches the jersey in her crossed arms but makes no move to put it on as we hustle across the street toward the neon arrow.
“After you, babe.” I hold the door open and smile when she trips over herself—likely at my use of the pet name—before regaining her footing and entering the warm pizza shop.
“Ciao! Maverick! Where have you been?” Enzo slides a pie into the brick over before rounding the corner and pulling me in for a strong Italian hug. “Good to see you. Good to see you!” He pulls back, smiling and patting me on the shoulder.
“You too, my guy,” I return the sentiment. “Enzo, this is Chloe.”
“Hello.” She offers a polite smile, but her eyes grow wide as Enzo reaches for her hand.
“Chloe. Così bella!” He kisses the top of her hand, and to my surprise, she just laughs, and I think she finds him endearing. “What do you like? Anything you like. On me.”
