Page 60 of You Saw the Best In Me

“Absolutely. After you,” he holds the door open for me and locks it with my keys.

April meows when I open the door, and she wants me to pick her up. She may be evil, and selective of who she likes, but this cat is a big baby with me, so I carry her around Mav’s apartment, giving her the full tour.

Slowly, I attempt to introduce them, but she sniffs Maverick’s finger and immediately hisses at him. He puts his hands up, backing away slowly and getting out of her space.

“Where did you get that evil thing?” he laughs, and I tell him how this used to be Juliette’s cat.

He helps me set up her litter and food, and we clean the kitchen together. It’s like an alternate universe where I’m settling into domesticated bliss with a man, and loving every second.

My phone rings in my bag, breaking me out of my happy place and I know it’s my mom.

I haven’t told her anything that’s been happening. The last thing she heard was how broken I was over Maverick. Shit. I should’ve called her at least once.

I know I’m not going to hear the end of it, and her call completely kills my mood before I even answer the phone.

Maverick tells me to take the bedroom, and he’ll shower, giving me space.

“Hi, Mom,” I answer, and she sounds relieved.

“Why haven't you called me?” she asks, immediately changing to pissed off.

“It’s been a little crazy around here. Asher’s found me,” I rip the bandaid, not hiding anything from her.

“Jesus fucking Christ! Where are you? I’m coming to get you,” she yells, and I hear her panicking.

“No, Mom. I’m okay. I’m at Maverick’s. He took me to the police station today, and I filed a report,” I fill her in, feeling the tension looming over the phone.

“Your neighbor? How in the world is that safe? I thought he broke your heart?” she asks, the curiosity killing her.

I explain everything, leaving out the more intimate parts of the story, and once I’m finished, she can finally breathe.

She’s mad at me for not telling her everything Asher has done. The weapon situation doesn’t thrill her either, but I promise her that Maverick is a good man and I’m safe.

Once I get the lecture of a lifetime, my mom gets girly on me.

“So, tell me more about this mystery neighbor. Can you trust him?” she asks, and I know what she’s getting at.

“His name is Maverick, Mom. I’m in his bed right now,” I laugh, knowing I’m driving her insane on this call.

She’ll probably tell me that I shouldn’t be around him or that he’s dangerous. Always judging people and their choices. I wish she weren’t my only family, sometimes.

“Have you slept with Maverick again?” she asks as he exits the bathroom, my phone echoing around the room on the speaker setting.

He’s dripping wet in nothing but a towel again, and I can’t contain my laughter.

“What’s so funny?”

She has no idea what’s going on, and he starts laughing, too.

“Hi, Mrs. Collins. I’m Maverick,” he says, and she shrieks.

“Karina! Did he hear me?” She's mortified, but I find it hilarious.

“He did. He’s in nothing but a towel, so I gotta go!” I shout, and she scrambles to find the words to end this call fast enough.

“Jesus, Karina. You’re going to put me in my grave,” she finishes, hanging up before I can say anything else.

“So, I met your mom,” he laughs, and I get off the bed to bring him close to me.