"You would have done the same."
I hadn't expected this behavior from him.That was the thing that had been bothering me all day.He maintained that we weren't right for each other.We were opposites; I was a good girl to his bad boy.But he'd taken care of me.He'd been there for me when he didn't have any obligation to do so.
That meant he was probably a decent boyfriend.So why the hesitation to pursue something with me?I felt heat whenever we were near each other.It usually turned to verbal sparring, but the heat was present today even without the angst.
My body reacted to his proximity.It was undeniable.But I supposed it was possible he didn't feel the same way.
"Take care of yourself.I'll see you on Monday."
I leaned against the door as he jogged down the steps, waiting for him to open and close the exterior door.Then I closed mine.The apartment smelled like chicken noodle soup and Maverick.
I liked having him in my space.Surprisingly, he hadn't said anything about me wearing his sweatshirt.It was so big and comfortable.It was the only thing I wanted to wear when I got out of bed.
He hadn't asked for it back, which felt significant.He didn't want me, but he didn't mind if I wore his hoodie?
Maverick was confusing.I just couldn't forget that he'd bailed on me once before.He wasn't a man I could count on for anything long-term.I turned off the TV and brushed my teeth.When I climbed into bed, I saved Aspen's phone number and sent her a text.
Belle: Thanks for working at the store for me.I can write a check for your time.
Aspen: Not necessary.But I'd love to come in and talk to you about a part-time job.I love books.
Belle: I'm not sure how many hours I can afford yet.
Aspen: I'm fine with a few hours a week.I've always wanted to work in a bookstore, and I have a few other part-time jobs at the moment.
Belle: Stop by tomorrow, and we can talk.
Aspen: I'll bring something from Reina's.Just text me what you're in the mood for.I know your stomach might not be one hundred percent.
Would she want to know why Maverick helped me today?Why he'd stayed most of the day to take care of me?
I'd have to come up with a response that didn't insinuate that anything was going on between us, because he'd made sure of that.
I'd appreciated his apology, even if it was years too late.The damage was already done, the lesson already learned.I couldn't trust Maverick.He might have come through for me today, but he was too unpredictable.Or maybe the problem was, he was too predictable.I knew what happened when he got too close to someone; he ran.And I didn't intend to be the recipient of that particular reaction again.
I was older and more mature.I could protect myself from him.I wouldn't get any ideas about how sweet it was that he'd taken care of me today.
He'd done what any nice person would have done.I couldn't depend on my parents or former friends, but maybe my luck was changing.The Sterlings had come through for me in a way that no one else ever had.And it was nice.
I was going to view it as a sign of mutual respect.I wasn't for any reason going to assume that Maverick was attracted to me.That today meant anything more than being there for someone.
As soon as I put my head on the pillow, I fell asleep.When I woke the next morning, the light was shining through the windows, and I felt more like my normal self.
I picked up my phone and checked my messages.Maverick had sent a text.
Bad Boy Contractor: I hope you're feeling better.
Belle: Much better.Thank you.
I felt like a new woman, and it had nothing to do with how he'd taken care of me or that I was wearing his sweatshirt that smelled faintly of him.It felt weird now to use a nickname for his contact name, so I changed it to his given one.
Maverick: Take it easy.
Belle: Aspen is stopping by to discuss working at the store.
Maverick: Good.She'll tell me if you're overdoing it.
I liked that he was still worried about me.It was doing funny things to my heart.I couldn't believe he's spent the day at my apartment playing nursemaid.I was starting to feel like I needed a friend to talk to about this, and I couldn't talk to his sister.
