Page 28 of You Saw the Best In Me

It’s not like I consciously thought there was anything between Maverick and I, but him telling me we need space has me so over the edge that I realize it was much more than just the alcohol — at least for me.

I blame myself, and this is my fault for letting him in that first night and multiple times since.

On top of it all, I have confirmation that Asher knows where I am, and I’m fucking terrified.

Everything that’s happened tonight is a shitshow; all I want to do is hide in my bed and escape my thoughts, fuck ups, and all the torturous situations I continue to put myself through.

I wait until I hear Maverick leave before even debating going to work. There’s no way I’m running into him in the hallway after I spent most of my night crying.

My cheeks are swollen, and my eyes have bags underneath, showcasing that I barely slept.

Once the coast was clear and I hear his truck drive away, I say goodbye to April — who is finally back to normal — and head off to the salon.

Halfway there, I remember promising to bring Harper lunch on my break, and suddenly, I am dreading it.

I have nothing against the girl and want to help, but I’m a mess.

What happened with Maverick last night wasn’t a break up, but fuck if it doesn’t feel like one.

I want to avoid him, and anything that makes me think about our time together, but bringing lunch to his family is throwing me right into the middle — exactly where I don’t want to be.

My schedule is busier today, and I remind myself to act happy for the customers’ sake. That way, I make the tips and build my client list.

I greet the girls I already know and introduce myself to the only one I haven’t met.

“I’m Karina. Nice to meet you,” I say, smiling at her while I set up all the new things I bought at my station.

“I’m Eva,” she says, barely giving me the time of day.

I was warned that it would take her some time to warm up, but today isn’t the day for me to play pretend; if she doesn’t want to socialize, then neither do I.

The morning goes by fairly quickly, even though I spend most of it in a fog. Only speaking when spoken to, or when I politely entertain the small talk with customers.

The girls are giddy, bouncing out the door before turning to me.

“Want to join us for lunch, Karina?” Hannah asks, and I politely tell them I’d love a raincheck.

Explaining that I promised to bring lunch for my neighbor’s sister incites many questions, and the girls want all the details.

I don’t feel comfortable talking about him, and how we’ve connected, so I keep it neighborly.

“It’s nothing! I just offered to look out for her since I planned to stop home at lunch anyway. I promise we’ll go out together soon,” I casually explain, hoping they take my answer at face value.

“No worries, honey. We do lunch once a week,” Jolene chimes in as we walk out to our cars.

I stop at the grocery store, buying two premade sandwiches, chips, and sodas.

When I return to the apartment and take in my surroundings. I don’t see any sign of Asher, even though I can’t sure where or what to look for.

I knock on Maverick’s door, and Harper answers, smiling at me.

“Hi, are you hungry?” I ask, holding up the bag.

“Thanks, Karina. I know you did this for my brother,” she says, inviting me inside.

It’s the last thing I should do, but I did promise to check on her, and even though I’m mad at Maverick, I’m keeping my word. Harper doesn’t deserve my cold shoulder.

“Not at all, sweetie. I did this for you. I want you to be comfortable while he’s working,” I smile at her, and I think she believes me.