Page 86 of You Saw the Best In Me

Her new husband is lovely, but we’ve only talked on the phone a few times. With me constantly hiding, I don’t have a solid relationship with him and he has two daughters a few years younger than me — technically my stepsisters — and I’ve never met them.

It doesn’t feel like I belong in her life, especially now that we’re seeing each other in circumstances different than usual.

“I’m so fucking anxious. I don’t know what to do with my hands,” I say, waving them in the air as if they’re not attached to my body.

Mav wraps his arms around me and looks into my eyes. The safety I feel when he holds me is unmatched, and I can settle myself down enough to reason.

“Karina, let’s wait for her Uber in the lobby, okay? Maybe you can check your mailbox to keep you distracted,” he smiles, kissing my cheeks and leading the way.

I don’t know what magnetic force he has over me, but it always works like a charm.

I haven’t opened my mail since the day I found the letter from Asher, and when the door pops open, the contents spill onto the floor.

“Oh my god,” Maverick laughs, helping me organize everything.

We’re bent over a pile of papers and junk mail when his smile catches my eye.

God, he’s so fucking gorgeous, and I can’t resist this moment.

I caress his face, stroking the light facial hair he’s let grow out before connecting my lips to his.

He immediately reacts, wrapping his fingers in my hair and cementing my position in this kiss.

We hear the lobby door open and retreat immediately, staring my mother in the face. I forgot I gave her my code to get in the building and this was just the kind of first impression I was hoping to avoid.

“Am I interrupting?” she laughs, shaking her head at us on the floor.

Fuck.

“Hi, Mom,” I say, pulling Maverick up to his feet and locking our fingers together.

I can’t be without his touch in this absurd moment, and he squeezes my hand three times to ensure my nerves are calm.

“Karina. This must be the infamous Maverick,” she looks him up and down, and he politely offers his hand out to shake hers.

“Yes, ma’am. Nice to meet you, finally. Let me take these for you,” he grabs her suitcase and bags, letting me lead the way up the stairs.

My mom looks just as I remember, dressed in a long pencil skirt, a fancy blue blouse, and heels at least five inches tall.

She never leaves the house without a killer outfit and a full face beat with makeup. My grandfather was a politician, and from a young age, she was taught how to leave the house dressed like a lady.

Even though he’s long gone, those teachings have been wired into her personality.

The platinum blonde hair is gone, replaced by a dark chocolate color, which suits her age well.

“Thank you for letting me have your apartment. It’s much better than a dingy hotel,” she smiles, following me inside.

“Of course, mom. Maverick was nice enough to let me stay at his place while you’re here,” I say, smiling at him from across the room.

“Hmmm, yes. Maverick. The mysterious asshole neighbor that my daughter now practically lives with. Come, sit,” she waves him over, and I cover my face with my hands.

She can be so snotty without realizing it.

I silently apologize to Mav as he makes his way toward the couch.

“Karrie, make us some cocktails, why don’t you?” she demands, and I cringe when she uses my real name.

The one thing Maverick doesn’t know may very well come out this weekend, and I’m fucking terrified. I need to pull my mom aside and ask her not to call me that again, even if it sounds like a nickname.