Livy sniffles. “It wasn’t?”
“No.” Maverick pulls back enough to look at her. “Elena never lived in this house. She and her mother, Adriana, were gone before I came to Palm Springs.”
I press a hand to my chest as my heart breaks for this man.
“This room belonged to one of my nieces,” he continues. “She stayed with me for a year before moving back home to Italy with her father. She decorated it herself. Very pink. Very dramatic.”
Livy glances around. “I like her style.”
Maverick smiles.
“She would like knowing that.”
Livy looks back at him, solemn now. “Can I still use it?”
His expression softens.
“Yes,piccola.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure.”
She studies him for a moment. “Will it hurt your feelings if I make it mine?”
His eyes flick toward me.
Then back to Livy.
“No,” he says quietly. “It would make me very happy if you decide to keep it as yours.”
Livy’s face crumples.
Then she throws her arms around his neck.
“I can do that,” she whispers. “I’m good at making people happy.”
Maverick closes his eyes and holds her.
“Yes,” he says, voice barely there. “I know you are.”
Livy steps back and looks up at him.
“Since you and Mama are dating, that means you’ll be my daddy when you get married,” she says. “Would that make you sad? Would calling me daughter always remind your heart of the sadness of losing your first daughter?”
I really need to stop this conversation.
My mouth opens.
“Oh, my sweet girl,” Maverick says first.
He lifts her into his arms and walks to my side.
“I’m so sorry. She’s asking too much,” I whisper, laying a hand on Livy’s back.
“No,” Maverick says quietly. “She’s asking what her heart needs to know.”
Livy tucks her face against his shoulder. “I don’t wanna replace her.”
