I try to ignore the flutters that take flight in my belly. Maverick being stupidly sweet is not a new phenomenon, but watching him care for my son ramps that to a whole new level.
Leo feels huge in my arms, but cradled against Maverick’s chest, he’s tiny. And wow, those are some nice muscles. I swallow as he adjusts his grip, making his arm flex.
Girl, get a grip.
I grab the remote. “Want me to put something on TV? Maybe ESPN?”
His expression flattens. “Nah. Maybe pick a movie.”
I feel like there’s something he’s not saying, and I resist the urge to pry. “Will Kira care that I’m staying here?” I don’t want to be the reason they have problems.
“Nope.” That’s all he says.
Okay, then. She must be pretty chill because there’s no way I’d be cool with my boyfriend living with one of his female friends. And I don’t care if people call that toxic. I call it smart.
Because all kinds of intimate things happen when you live together. My friend Abby fell in love with her employer, a single dad named Nick, when she was working as his daughter’s nanny. It happens. She even told me they had a “towel incident” where she bumped into him in the middle of the night while only wearing a towel.
Not that I’m going to fall for Maverick again,orlet intimate things happen.
I guess I already did run into him while wearing a towel, but that’s because I had mommy brain and forgot my clothes. I won’t let it happen again.
I let out a sigh as I glance at the man sitting next to me, cradling my son, who’s nestled comfortably in his arms. Kira’s a lucky woman.
13
MAVERICK
My phone buzzeson the coffee table, and Kira’s name flashes for the third time in the last hour. It’s almost as if when Baylee mentioned her, she somehow summoned Kira.
I let it go to voice mail. I don’t have anything to say to her.
After I stretch, do all of my prescribed exercises, and shower, I call Baylee’s landlord, Mr. Ulrich, who’s pissed about the red paint.
“Sir, I know you’re upset. Just think about what Baylee’s going through. All of her baby shower gifts got destroyed. Her entire closet of clothes.” This morning, I realized she only brought a small duffle bag of personal belongings to my condo. Most of what she has here are things for Leo. “How can I make this right for you?”
“It’s going to cost a few thousand dollars to remove the paint and refinish that floor.”
He’s totally working me for a new floor for a fifty-year-old house. “Since you’re planning to keep her deposit, which is a grand, I’ll give you another grand in cash, and we can call it a day. But you have to promise to give her a good referral when she applies for another apartment.”
Ulrich grumbles but agrees.
“Now let’s talk about her back rent.”
When we hang up, I slouch back on my couch, feeling pretty good for a change. The sun is shining, and the water along the Eden River shimmers bright outside my condo. My neck doesn’t hurt that much, and I got a decent night’s sleep despite Leo waking up three times. Poor Baylee. Being a single mom is no fucking joke. I take a nap so I can be more awake tonight and help her with the baby.
Around one, she returns with Leo strapped to her chest and a bag of food.
“Whatcha got for me today?”
“Kale salad and roasted chicken.”
I make a face. “Why?”
“Because you’re a professional athlete. Aren’t you supposed to eat well? We had pizza last night. I thought you were due for something green and healthy.”
“You’re no fun. What happened to being my partner in crime?”
She points at me. “You’re a big baby.”
