Page 69 of You Saw the Best In Me

Now, I’m sitting in his truck, daydreaming about how fucking hot he was, dirty talking and hitting all the right spots.

Maverick thinks he can make my favorite dinner, and I intend to be a harsh critic just to mess with him.

Tomorrow, I have to return to reality and stop taking shelter in the little bubble I’ve created with Mav. If Asher wants me, he’ll have to come and get me because I’m done hiding from the world.

On the flip side, as much as I love being with Maverick, I need my space and freedom back. I’m naturally independent, and I want to be able to run errands or go outside without someone holding a weapon close by.

“Harper chose pasta and meatballs for dinner tomorrow. Is that okay with you?” Maverick asks, pulling me out of my trance as we walk the aisles.

“Absolutely!” I say, excited to get another glimpse into their lives.

“Grams is going to talk your ear off, treat you like garbage, and tell you stories about me,” he warns, and I can’t wait.

“I hope she pulls out the baby pictures, too,” I playfully smack him on the arm, and he rolls his eyes.

I’m a bit nervous about meeting Grams. I haven’t gotten enough information on her to form an opinion, but what I have heard makes me think she won’t be pleasant.

Once we have everything we need for two dinners, we check out and load the groceries into his truck.

“When Asher is arrested, I want to invite my mom to stay for a week. Would you be okay meeting her?” I blurt out, afraid of what he might say.

I haven’t spent quality time with my mother since I was sixteen, before Asher.

Since I started running, I only saw her when she had to help me move to a new place.

This last time, I had help, and I didn’t even get the chance to have her come to Rose Hills for fear that Asher would follow her.

“I have a better idea. You stay with me and let your mom have your apartment. We can have her over for dinner and maybe take her out a few times. How does that sound?” he squeezes my leg, and I really need to stop crying when he says sweet shit to me.

“You’re a dream, Mav. That would be perfect. Thank you so much,” I grab his hand, kissing the top of it before interlocking our fingers.

“Binge-watch Deal or No Deal tonight and eat mac n cheese in bed?” he smiles at me, making me melt in all the right places.

“Deal. I’ll pick the right case each time,” I wink, and I can’t help but make everything a game with him.

He loves to win, and I love to beat him at everything. I already plan to reignite the prank war before I move back into my apartment, missing the thrill it gave me.

I don’t cook, so watching Maverick work in the kitchen is fascinating. He knows exactly what to do with each ingredient, making it look like an art form. Before I know it, the mac n cheese and pulled pork he whipped up on the side were ready.

“I’m terrified to let you out of my sight tomorrow, Karina,” he says while he serves my dinner.

The nerves have also set in, but Asher doesn’t scare me anymore. The threat of stealing my livelihood again doesn’t keep me up at night.

The only thought that rattles my bones is losing my independence. I’ve never stopped enjoying myself, and I won’t start now because I have someone who cares about me at home.

“I’ll be okay, Maverick. I’ve done this before with no help. Let me be my own person again,” I tell him, hoping he understands.

“I want you to text me throughout the morning until you get to Grams’ house, okay?” he bargains, and I immediately agree.

That went easier than I thought. He’s over-protective, and I adore that about him, but I need the freedom to be myself.

“So, how’s the food?” he asks, changing the subject.

I’m relieved; talking about Asher is exhausting, and I’ve given him too much space in my mind lately.

“This is incredible, Mav. You nailed it,” I smile, giving him the truth.

It’s arguably the best mac and cheese I’ve ever had, but if I told him that, it’d go straight to his ego.