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Stepping close to him, I wrapped my arms around his waist. “Thank you for caring, for being worried, but Ineedthis, Cody. I do.”
“Fine.”
Grinning up at him, I said, “Thank you.”
I still couldn’t believe Dad had agreed, but I really did think this trip would be good for me.
CHAPTERELEVEN
TEXAS
Even though I’d wanted to go to Talon and tell him it was a mistake to let Maya go, I didn’t. What she’d said to her brother that day, about needing this time away, had me keeping my mouth shut and my fear to myself. But fuck, did I miss her. I was used to knowing she was at home where I could drop in whenever I wanted to see her.
I picked up my phone and scrolled through our texts.
The morning she left, I sent her a message telling her to have fun but stay safe.
She’d shot back an eye-roll emoji, saying that she would. I’d then wanted to leave her alone, let her have her time away without any of the men in her life hounding her.
I’d lasted until that afternoon.
Me: How was the flight?I’d already known she’d landed safely from her Snapchat stories.
Maya: Good. We’re relaxing by the pool right now since it’s still warm for us Victorians at 5pm.Along with words, she’d sent a photo of her legs. I had gripped my phone to a point of it near cracking when I’d wondered who else was there seeing those damn stunning, smooth limbs.
Me: You should get a blanket in case it gets cold.
There’d been a long pause after I’d sent it.
Maya: We’ll be heading in soon before it gets too dark.
I winced and didn’t bother replying in case I went all caveman on her and demanded to know who was around or what she was wearing on the top half.
The texts became a ritual. What surprised me more was when my phone buzzed and it was Maya. It had almost been a week since she’d been gone, but for once, she reached out to me first.
I smiled even before reading the text. Not even giving a shit that I loved she was thinking about me.
Maya: Is it hard to believe I actually miss home?
Me: Not at all. I hate the heat over there.
Maya: I think that’s what I’m feeling. I’m used to the cold winters. Still, I’m having fun. We went to a theme park today. Swan and I discovered we don’t like rollercoasters.
Me: Did anyone puke?
Maya: No, thank God. How’s work?
Me: Busy. I got to ink this today.I followed up with a picture of Gojo, an anime character offJujutsu Kaisen.
I grinned at Maya’s instant reply.OMG that is epic. Seriously, Texas, I love it. One day I’m dropping into your work and checking out more designs.
Me: Deal. I’ll look forward to it.
Maya: I’m still looking at the picture. It’s amazing. But what I don’t understand is why you chose to live in Ballarat over Melbourne. You’d have more business in the city, wouldn’t you?
My heart skipped a beat over the truth of it.
Was it crazy and stalkerish that I’d moved to Ballarat for her… without her even knowing?
