Page 40 of Maverick
“Yeah, Mav?”
“Think you can keep Larry company until Kat comes? I’ve got church.”
Pixie nodded, wiping her hands on a towel and looking over at our table. “How’s he doing?”
I shrugged. “He was a little confused earlier when he woke up, but he seems back on track now.”
Pixie nodded. “Sounds about right. When I interned at the senior home, we had a number of patients like that. Is Kat on her way over?”
“Yeah, but I guess she got held up at Ivy’s. Honestly, he’d probably be fine, but since he had an episode earlier, I don’t feel right sending him home alone.”
“Yeah, of course. I’m happy to hang out with him, but the second he catches wind that you asked me to babysit, he’ll be on the move.”
That was the damn truth. “Thanks, I’ll tell Dan to check back in thirty minutes. If Ivy’s not back, Dan can walk him home and hang out.”
“Wow.” Pixie’s lips parted in suprise. “You’re taking this good neighbor thing to heart. Mr. Rogers would be proud.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Unless…” She dragged out the word and her voice pitched upward. “It’s notjustabout being a good neighbor.”
I sighed and shook my head.
Pixie winked and walked away from the bar. “Mr. Larry! How’s your week been? And where’s that Noodle?”
I exited the public area through the back door that led into the clubhouse. We kept it locked, but everyone affiliated with the club had a code. That meant the brothers, prospects, old ladies, and bunnies. And speaking of bunnies…
“Mav, finally! I haven’t seen you in weeks.” Sheila pouted. Her bright red hair was pulled high on top of her head, highlighting her bare neck and shoulders. She wore a tiny tube top that barely covered her large breasts and a pair of tiny black shorts. It was a sight I once enjoyed, but at the moment couldn’t muster any interest.
“Not now, Sheila. I’ve got work to do.”
She placed a manicured hand on my arm and walked with me.
“Sounds good to me. You know how much I love it when you work. I can under your desk and—“
“I guess I wasn’t clear.” I peeled her hand off my arm and opened the door to church, using my body to block her from entering. “I’m not interested. Go find someone else.”
“Aww, you don’t mean that, baby.” She placed her hand on my chest, her bright red nails contrasting against my black cut. I looked her over. Her whole image was over the top. How did I think that was attractive before?
Classy was sexy. A silk blouse with a vee neck that gave a hint of cleavage. I bet Kat had a closet full of tight little pencil skirts that would bring my best librarian fantasy to life. I couldn’t stop the smile that formed as I thought of Kat with reading glasses and her hair in a bun.
Unfortunately, Sheila thought that smile was for her “That’s right, Mav. Let me take care of you.”
And she wasn’t the only one who misread the situation.
“Oh! I, um, shit.” Kat stood in the hallway, her eyes glued to where Sheila’s hand rested on my chest.
Fuck.
“Kat—” I started.
“No, I, um.” She shook her head. “Lexie opened the door so I could… Well, anyway. Thanks for staying with Dad. I’m taking him home. And then I might be gone for a few days. They, uh, my work needs me on a project.” She blinked rapidly and rubbedher eyes. “You two can keep doing,” she waved a hand in the air, “whatever.” She turned and walked back down the hall like her ass was on fire.
“Kat, wait!” I shouted, but she was already gone. “Sheila, so help me if you do not get the fuck out of my face right now, you’ll be going to Larry’s in a bucket.”
“Mav!” She squeaked and jumped back. She looked in the direction Kat left, then back at me. “Her? Really?” She scoffed. “Well, when Miss Big City Snob gets tired of slumming it—and you know she will—you know where to find me.”
“Yeah, in bed with one of my brothers.”
