Page 95 of You Saw the Best In Me

“Actually, Karina, is it okay to let Harper get set up in your apartment?” Mav interrupts, and I’m a little taken aback.

I figured he’d want to keep us all as close as possible, but instead, he’s giving her space. The apartment is small for the three of us, and a teenager needs her privacy.

“Absolutely. It’s all yours, Harper,” I smile, gathering her things and handing the keys to Maverick.

“Thank you,” he whispers, kissing my forehead.

Once Harper is settled in at my place, Maverick makes her lock the door behind us, and she promises to come back if she needs us.

“Can I do anything for you, Angel?” I ask, hugging him in the middle of the kitchen.

Months ago, I stood in this kitchen, barely making eye contact with this man and failing miserably at flirting.

Now, we stand here, holding each other up during our worst times. This is our safe haven.

Falling in love with Maverick was inevitable, and I could spend my whole life trying to put it into the right words.

“I don’t feel bad that she’s dead. I feel bad for Harper. Grams was complicated, and she didn’t want the responsibility of us. I miss my mom, though,” he starts to cry, and there’s nothing I can do but hold him.

“Let’s go to bed,” I whisper, leading him toward our room.

We don’t say anything else the rest of the night, and he doesn’t move off my chest, where his head rests.

I stroke his hair and rub his shoulders while we lay together, making it known that I’m not moving until he does.

The scariest part about everything that’s happened to us is Harper. Maverick has been on edge for a few days, waiting to meet with Gram's lawyer.

He’s begged the guy to tell him if he has custody of Harper, but that information can’t be revealed over the phone.

Maverick went for a drive yesterday and didn’t return until this afternoon.

I haven’t bothered to ask where he went because I know he needs his space, but I’m starting to worry about him.

If he’s not talking to me, there’s no way I can know how he’s feeling or if he’s processing his grandmother’s death.

All he cares about is Harper, and it’s admirable, but I don’t want him to lose himself.

Our resident teenager returned to school today and wasn’t happy about it.

I had no choice but to send her, with Mav being gone all night. I’m not her guardian or her family, and I couldn’t make the call to keep her home.

I promised her that her brother would be here when she got home, and they could discuss it further.

I’m not mad at you, Karina,” she kissed my cheek and went into school without any more arguing.

I’m working when he shows up, looking like he hasn’t slept. He sits in the waiting room chairs until I finish with my last client before my hour lunch break.

“Drive with me?” he says, pulling me close.

“Of course,” I grab my things and jump into his truck without knowing where we’re going.

He hasn’t spoken the entire ride, and I’m getting anxious.

He seems in lost a daze. I'm not exactly sure what he’s doing, but I’m treading lightly and following along.

I recognize where we’re going, and it’s the abandoned lot we had sex in a few weeks ago.

That feels like a different lifetime ago. So much has changed since that care-free night.