Page 54 of You Saw the Best In Me

“Can I come in with you?”

I judge his reaction and know he’s fighting for Harper’s reputation, but I want to be there, too.

“Yes, especially if you can keep Harper from exploding. That girl has no filter,” he smiles and stops at a fast food place.

“Like brother, like sister,” I tease, and he rolls his eyes at me.

His white T-shirt, jeans, and weapon combo are seriously turning me on, and I don’t know how much longer I can hold myself back from him, especially if we sleep in the same bed again tonight.

“So, back there, you called me your girlfriend,” I bite my bottom lip and shift in my seat toward him, the friction in these jeans making me crazy.

“Did you like that, kitten?” he whispers, making me even hotter than I was already.

“I did,” I breathe, not complicating things by talking too much.

“I liked the sound of it, too,” he smirks, and I can’t get enough of how natural this all feels.

“The detective referred to you as my boyfriend,” I blush, and he flashes that gorgeous smile at me.

Suddenly, I feel guilty. I still haven’t told Maverick my secret.

Juliette and Adam don’t even know this about me, and something placing all my eggs in one basket is terrifying, but the way Maverick has stepped up for me, I feel like I need to confess.

Not right now, though. It will take more than twenty-four hours of this bliss before I reveal my real name to him.

I’ve had enough revelations and deep personal talks over the last few days.

“Okay, let’s do this,” I say, taking his hand and embarking on his journey.

He held my hand through what I had to deal with today, and I will do the same for him.

Maverick and I will always be linked no matter what happens because of the way we stand tall together in the face of our adversities.

MAVERICK

Ifeel confident that I can make things right on Harper’s behalf, and with Karina by my side, I feel unstoppable. Our story is writing itself, and we’re taking it slow, chapter by chapter.

The first part of our day is complete, with the cops being helpful and actually taking Karina’s story seriously.

In Forest Falls, the cops are known for dicking around and busting teenagers for weekend drinking. Luckily, none of them remembered me from my sordid past and frequent trips to the drunk tank.

Those are tales for a different day, and I’m thankful Karina didn’t have to hear any of them before I was ready to tell her that dark side of me.

I went dark when Grams decided to take over the family, angry at the entire world and using anything to cope with the pain.

I shake off the thoughts from the past, admiring the woman presently in the front seat of my truck.

Karina’s hair is blowing in the wind, and she’s finally at peace. Today was a big deal for her, and I couldn’t be happier that she can start healing from the trauma of that fucked up relationship.

We pull into the parking lot of Harper’s school, and I open the door to help Karina down.

“You ready?” I ask, holding my hand out to hers.

When she’s nervous, I do anything I can to ease that. Touching her is the best way to settle her down and I swear, I feel the tension leave her body.

“Let’s do this,” she smiles, interlocking her fingers into mine.

I remind myself that we’re on our way to stick up for Harper, and I have to stop staring at Karina’s chest. It’s nearly impossible in her light pink sweater, showing off just enough cleavage to distract me.