I ignore the rugged beauty in front of me and turn to the food and explain what happened at the diner. “I figure you have maybe two or three days before she spills the beans.”
“Small towns, man.”
“I know. I’m sorry. Caroline isn’t the worst gossip, but given the fact that you’re the town’s biggest celebrity at the moment, I’m not sure how long she’ll be able to contain her excitement.”
“Don’t you think ‘celebrity’ is a bit of a stretch?”
I give him my best droll expression. “I don’t know, Mr. Sexiest NFL Player on Social Media. You tell me.”
He rolls his eyes, and I snicker and hand him his iced tea. He winces when he reaches for it, and I resist the urge to ask about his injuries. He’ll tell me in his own time, I suppose, but I don’t miss the fresh scar on his shoulder.
Mav glances around. “Where’s Leo?”
“On the couch.”
Mav sets down his drink and wanders over to Leo and sits by his side. “Hey, bud. Good to see you.”
Leo babbles back, and I smile.
“You behaving for your mama? Yeah, she’s pretty great. You know, I thought I had a pretty good career, but I’ve never done anything as cool as make a great kid like you.”
Oh, Mav.My throat gets tight, and I turn away before I get emotional.
A minute later, he rejoins me at the bar. As he unpacks his sandwich, he turns to me. “I was thinking of doing aVikingsmarathon this week. You wanna veg out and watch it with me?”
“And enjoy some Ragnar Lothbrok sexiness? Count me in.”
He scoffs. “Travis Fimmel isn’t that good-looking.”
“Speak for yourself. I love Ragnar. Well, except for when he cheats on Lagertha. Then I want to rip out his fingernails with some rusty pliers.”
Chuckling, he shakes his head. “Vicious.”
“It’s fine. I just pretend that doesn’t happen. In my version, he’s faithful and stays with his one true love. And I adore Athelstan. His friendship with Ragnar is beautiful.” I unwrap my panini. “That show made me obsessed with Scandinavian history. I even got a book about that time period.” I turn to look at Maverick and find him already watching me. “What?”
He clears his throat. “Nothing.”
When he turns back to his food, I study his rugged profile.
He’s pale, and despite his flirty smiles, there’s sadness in his eyes.
Is that because of his injuries? Or is there more going on?
A melancholy twinge worms its way into my heart.
That’s when I remind myself he has a girlfriend. Maverick should probably be sharing those thoughts with her, so I don’t let myself pry.
I nudge him with my elbow. “If you still want to help me move the stuff from my house, I was thinking maybe we could go tomorrow night after work.”
“I’m down for whatever you need.”
The ache in my heart grows. Mav’s always been like this. Always willing to help me whenever I need it.
I’m not sure how long he’ll be home, but I hope I can be that support for him too.
12
BAYLEE
