His breath brushes against my ear, and I try not to wonder if he’s disappointed.
“Awe, Chlo.” His arms tighten around me. “Did they tell you why?”
I shake my head, wiping my tears with the sleeve of my sweatshirt. “I just got an email that said they appreciated my interest but they were unable to select me.” My shoulders slump and I take a step back, hanging my head low.
He tilts my face toward his, brushing his thumb along my tear-streaked cheek. His chest is still warm from running over here, and when I place my hand there, the feeling of his heavy heartbeat somehow calms my own.
I breathe out, dropping some of the tension in my shoulders.
“What can I do?” he asks softly. “Do you want me to order some food?”
“I’m not really hungry. I just—” I shake my head again, but at least the tears have slowed. “I just want to lie down.”
He nods once, takes my hand in his, kisses the knuckles, and guides us toward my room.
The sun fell some time ago and the moon is on the horizon, lighting up only a small corner of my room. Maverick hasn’t moved. His arms are wrapped around me like he’s anchoring us both.
I don’t know if I’ve processed what happened yet, but I do know that it felt manageable as soon as Maverick got here. Whether it was his understanding, or that now he was the one believing that it would work out. Maybe it was because it was the first time I’ve failed at something and his reaction was that it was okay.
His thumb traces slow absent shapes across my shoulder. It’s so small, but it’s steady in a way that makes something in my chest finally loosen.
I’ve been hesitant to trust my heart again. I know now that I’ve been blinded by this desire to have love. I thought if I was patient, understanding, and tireless enough it would happen. That was how I was showing my love. But I’ve been so focused on proving my worth in every aspect of my life, that I never stopped long enough to look up and see if it was worth me.
With Maverick, he meets me right back. He doesn’t just give loyalty freely, but from the second I shared mine with him, he reciprocated it. I might not have said the words out loud, but I’ve shown him attention, and care, and he’s mirrored it every time.
So, while I’ve been hesitant to open up to the idea of giving my heart to someone again, Maverick has taught me that real love doesn’t drain you. And even in this moment, when I should be uncertain about everything, I’ve never been more sure that my heart is beyond full of love for him.
“You sleeping?” Maverick whispers against the back of my head while he trails his fingers over my shoulder.
I shake my head so soft I’m not sure he understood me, but when he shifts up onto his elbow, and plants a kiss to my temple, I know he did.
I roll onto my back, looking up at him. He’s covered in shadows, with the exception of the sliver of moonlight his eyes shine in. He’s so perfect it takes my breath away.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks, brushing a lock of hair away from my face.
My heart hammers so fast and loud that I feel it everywhere. I lick my lips, and try to swallow the tears lining my eyes. I try to hold it all back, try to hold out just a little longer, but I’ve lost all control.
“Is this real?” My voice is a shaky whisper.
I feel his gaze on me like a thousand suns, and then for the first time since the one and only fake kiss, his lips are on mine. “It’s real, butterfly.”
38
maverick
The common roomisn’t as busy as it usually is this time of day. I make my way through the room, stopping just behind William’s chair when I catch Rosie rolling her eyes.
“Of course, you don’t understand. You’re an old man.”
“Ay, ease up on my guy here, Rosie.” I smile at the older woman, patting William's shoulder.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, looking startled to see me.
“It’s Friday,” I say, looking down at my watch, feeling confused. “I’m always here at this time on Friday.”
The wrinkles on her forehead deepen as she looks around.
“You feeling alright, Rosie?” I ask, stepping up beside her.
