I nodded."It was hot.I hadn't even realized he'd been holding back.I assumed that he didn't like me.But it was the opposite."
She squealed softly."This is such a good story.I'm living vicariously through you."
"What about you?Have you been dating again?"I remembered she'd recently gotten out of a long-term relationship.
She wagged her finger at me."No way.We're talking about you."
"He kissed me.Then he said he wanted to take things slowly."I wasn't sure how I would manage that after everything else that happened."And he invited me over for dinner tonight."
Her brows furrowed."I can see why you're confused.So he's going to cook for you at his place?"
"Yes."It would have been easier to meet him somewhere in public.Then I wouldn't have to worry about my reaction to him.It was clear that I couldn't resist him.
"That's quite the first date.He must be trying to impress you."
"He probably wants to make up for how he treated me when we were younger."
"Or he really likes you and wants to win you over."
I turned that idea over in my head."I don't know."
She nodded in understanding."You probably want to be cautious, given your history."
I sipped the tea."Yes."
"I'm excited for you.Maverick is attractive in that broody, bad-boy way."
I laughed, knowing exactly what she was talking about."You should have seen him when I heard the construction noise for the first time and rushed outside in my pajamas.They weren't the flannel kind.They were silk and lace.He was so mad."
She paused, her drink halfway to her mouth."You went outside in lingerie while he was working?"
"Bare feet and everything."I couldn't believe I was admitting all of this to her.She was so easy to talk to."He was all growly, insisted on covering me with his sweatshirt, and maneuvered me inside so no one on his crew could see me."
She waggled her brows."So he could have you all to himself?"
That made me pause."I assumed he didn't want the other men seeing me half naked."
"What did he do once he had you alone?"
I huffed out a laugh."It wasn't like that."
She just waited patiently for me to continue.
"He had his hands on my shoulders, and he was standing close.I can't remember exactly what he said, but it was something about safety on construction sites.All I could think about was whether he was going to kiss me."
She fanned herself again."That's so hot.I want a man to growl and manhandle me."
"It's hard to know where you stand with a man like that.Like do you annoy him because he doesn't like you, or is it because he does like you?"
"I was in a relationship for six years.I have no idea what that's like.For as long as I can remember, it was comfortable.I didn't get butterflies in my stomach when we were together, and there's nothing romantic about picking up someone else's dirty socks."
"You should enjoy being alone for a while."I was all mixed up inside.I wasn't sure if I should trust what Maverick was telling me or be worried that he'd change his mind again.
She smiled."And then I'll find myself a hot contractor like Natasha and Angela."
"I wasn't looking for anything.It just happened."I wasn't going to share anything else we did.That was just for us.I couldn't believe it was real.It was so out of character for me."He said some things that really surprised me."
"Oh?Like what?"
