Page 77 of You Saw the Best In Me

The first time I shared anything about my mom was with her, and she allowed herself to open up to me, inviting me to kiss her and solidifying our connection.

Ever since then, it’s been easier to share things with her, giving her those vulnerable stories about my past one day at a time.

She’s the eighth wonder of my world. I know there are seven for everyone else, but to me, she is the most wonderful thing the universe has produced.

“I believe you. I’m sorry your grandmother was so awful toward you. You needed someone looking out for you, not dragging you into hell with them,” she says quietly, the empathy in her voice radiating straight to my heart.

“You take my pain and heal me with your words, baby girl,” I whisper into her hair, closing my eyes and vowing not to take this moment for granted.

“I could say the same to you, but you’re a better speaker than me,” she laughs, lightening the heaviness in the room.

“You do just fine, baby girl,” I kiss her forehead, and she pulls the blankets tighter over us.

“Your meatballs were incredible, best I’ve ever had,” she changes the subject.

“I’m glad you liked them, but how was the dinner I cooked?” I joke, and she playfully slaps my arm, laughing so hard her nose does the scrunchy thing again.

God, she’s so beautiful.

“Ha ha ha. Put the show on, broody,” she laughs, and I do as she asks.

That ends the deep conversation for the night, and we spend quality time together, arguing over how well we think people on TV will fare against the Dealer.

We finish the Deal or No Deal episode that we left unfinished and watch two more before falling asleep tangled together.

The morning went smoothly, even though we all had to leave the apartment relatively early. I kissed Karina goodbye while she was doing her makeup, hating that I had to go before her.

I did my best to check her car, but I didn’t want Harp to think something was wrong. I drove her to school, my knuckles white from gripping the steering wheel so hard.

I waited for Karina’s text that she made it safely and didn’t fully exhale until it came through.

I pull up to the job site, confident that the guys will question my absence, and I’ve already used the family emergency card. I’ve drawn too much attention to myself lately, and I can’t wait to fall back into the shadows, keep my head down and do the work.

On my way in, I stop by Hunter’s office, and he asks me to sit down.

“Is everything okay?” he watches as Adam walks in, sitting beside me on the couch.

“Karina’s hanging in there. The cops have been at our building, but no signs of him since the break-in,” I inform them of the latest updates, and they ask many questions in return.

“You’re a good man, Maverick. We appreciate you looking out for her. We’d never hear the end of it from our women if it weren’t for you,” Hunter laughs, attempting to make light of the situation.

I’m itching to get out of here, tired of having the spotlight on me. Not only have I called out two days in a row, but now I’m in the boss's office bright and early.

“Let us know when he’s in custody,” Adam fistbumps me and then walks out of the office.

“Thanks for being so understanding, boss. I couldn’t have lived with myself if something happened to her,” I shake his hand to show my appreciation, and he raises an eyebrow at me.

“You two started hooking up, didn’t you?” he smiles slightly, just the tops of his lips curling upward.

“Thanks again, boss,” I nod, walking toward the door.

“You sly fox,” he laughs at me.

I shake off that conversation and focus on the work ahead of me. Being gone for two days meant the guys had to carry my slack, and I intend to make up for that immediately.

The banter is hot today, the guys all taking bets on what made me call off, but I keep my nose out of it and let the gossip spread on its own.

I work through lunch, cutting more wood we’ll need, measuring and marking the drywall, and organizing all the tools at my site.