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“Nope. She’s a healthy kid and an excellent eater who sleeps through the night. Potty trained, too, but if it’s been a while, you might need to ask her if she needs to go.”
“Wow.” I watch June accept a sticker from the man behind the reception desk. She unpeels it and puts it on her shirt, waving her arms in delight. “She seems so easy.”
“She is. I’m very lucky.”
“Lucky, yeah. But that’s also a testament to your parenting.” I tilt my chin to look up at him, and his cheeks are pink. “You’ve done a good job, Dallas.”
“Thanks, Maven. I appreciate it. I figured I’d show you my place then ask you a couple of questions. This isn’t going to be formal or anything. June Bug,” he calls out. “Let’s take Maven to the apartment.”
“Okay.” June sprints ahead of us to the elevator and pushes the up arrow. “It’s nice, May-van.” She frowns. “That’s a hard name.”
“It is a hard name,” I agree. “You can call me Mae Mae if you want. That’s what my dad used to call me when I was your age.”
“Mae Mae,” June repeats. “I like it.”
We file into the elevator, and June presses the button for the top floor. Music plays softly over the speakers, but neither Dallas or I try to fill the silence. It’s obvious he’s anxious; he keeps tapping his foot. He pulls at the sleeve of his shirt, and I hear him let out a huff of air.
I get it. I’m nervous, too, because Ineedthis job.
If I don’t get it, there’s no way I’ll be able to afford my rent.
I’ll have to pack up my stuff and move back in with my dad and his girlfriend who can barely keep their hands off each other. I shudder at the thought of sharing a wall with them.
“You okay?” Dallas asks. “Not a fan of jazz music?”
“No, I—well, I haven’t listened to enough jazz music to form an opinion on it, but I’m leaning toward tolerable? I’m fine. It’s nothing. No big deal.”
He lifts an eyebrow and crosses his arms over his chest. “Now you have to tell me.”
“It’s embarrassing. Not something I should share with the world.”
He smiles, and his dimple cuts deep into his cheek. “Not helping your case, Maven. I think we need to enact an honesty policy right now. If we’re going to be around each other, we need to be able to share things. All the things, even if it’s something we might not want to hear. Spill.”
“Spill!” June repeats, and she’s so cute, I cave.
I groan and cover my face with my hands. “Fine. I’m thinking about how you’re clearly nervous, but I’m nervous, too. I really want—reallyneed—this job. If not, I’m going to have to move back in with my dad and hear him and his girlfriend engaging in… activities. I’m really hoping to make a good impression. My sanity and ear drums depend on it.”
Dallas laughs and bumps my shoulder with his arm. “I think I’m required to hire you now. What kind of person would I be if I just let your ears bleed?”
“You’re such a Good Samaritan.”
“I sure am.” Warm, thick fingers curl around my wrists and bring my hands down. I blink, and the elevator doors open. “It’s time to stop hiding, though. We’re here.”
SIX
DALLAS
Maven glancesup at me from under a fan of long, dark eyelashes. There are freckles across her nose and her eyes are bright blue, like the ocean I’d jump in during the summertime when I was a kid without any worries.
She’s beautiful, in that natural sort of way I’ve always found attractive. A green dress with thin straps that makes her skin look tan. Blonde hair with a pretty white ribbon tied through it. A sense of humor and a genuine smile.
She’s exactly who I’d go for if I allowed myself to go for anyone.
“Twenty-sixth floor, number three,” I say, breaking the silence. I let go of Maven’s wrist and take June’s hand to help her step out of the elevator. Maven follows us down the hall, and I stop outside the door to my apartment. “There are only four tenants up here, one on each side of the building. My best friend, Maverick, lives on the opposite side.”
“Is this the same Maverick from StairGate?” she asks, and I laugh.
“It is. He’s a right-winger for the D.C. Stars and lives in number one if you ever need him.”
