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“Lindy, my sister, is like that, too,” I admitted. “A clean freak.”
He leaned down and petted the dog on the head. “The maids did the cleaning, but my brothers and I were hell to raise. Having a dog too may have pushed her over the edge. Now? It’s the only grandchild, grandpet, grand anything she has, so she’ll probably spoil him rotten.”
“What’s his name?” I asked, not wanting to delve into our family histories.
“Scout.”
Scout cocked his head.
“He’s thinking that we should go to lunch.”
His dark doggy eyes were looking up at Maverick as if he was his new best friend. Knowing dogs, he probably did want something to eat. Still…
“Go with me, Bridget?” Maverick asked.
My mouth dropped open and I didn’t know what to say.
“Oh look. There’s Mary Jackson,” Mallory said, pointing down the line of people at the curb. I looked that way but didn’t see her parents’ neighbor in the crowd.
My thoughts shifted. “You haven’t liked that woman since the seventh grade when she yelled at you for cutting across her yard on your bike,” I reminded, doubting the truth behind her words.
“What better time to make things right.” She gave me a wink, then weaved around the kids snagging candy at the curb. “See ya, Maverick.”
“She’s a terrible friend,” I muttered, watching her dart off. Intentionally.
“You sure about that?” he asked, offering me a small smile, as if he knew a secret. “I asked you to lunch. You. She left for you to do just that. What better time for me to make things right?”
I was all nerves, jittery as if I drank too much coffee.
He took off his sunglasses and tucked them into the collar of his shirt. Then, he leaned down to speak, although the parade and the crowd was too noisy for anyone to really hear us.
His dark eyes met mine and must’ve noticed my apprehension. “Your job is safe, Bridget. You’re safe. With me.”
I looked up at him, then worried my lip between my teeth. I didn’t trust easily. Not with men. I liked Maverick. A lot. Too much for someone I met the day before. But there was something about him. Something different. Unique. I was drawn to him, and I didn’t know how to stop. Not even after all that had happened. Did that make me reckless or fearless?
“You don’t believe me,” he said. A car horn tooted behind him and he didn’t even flinch at the surprise sound. “That’s okay. I respect that you’re cautious. I’m proud of you for knowing your boundaries.”
For some reason, that made me smile. His praise didn’t seem hollow and it made me feel good. “Really?”
I glanced at the curb and his fingers tipped my chin up. “Really. Have lunch with me. A picnic.” He looked down at Scout. “You want a picnic, right?”
Scout woofed and neither of us could resist laughing.
I couldn’t resist saying yes either.
15
MAVERICK
* * *
Before we grabbed lunch, Bridget guided me to a local pet shop and we began walking the aisles, collecting everything a new pet owner would need. We were in the dog food section comparing organic versus fresh meals in a refrigerated case. Scout was beside us, sniffing everything he passed.
“I have a feeling this dog’s going to eat better than me,” I said, reviewing the options. And their ridiculous costs.
Bridget pointed to a twenty-pound bag.
“Do you have a photographic memory?” I asked as I grabbed it, not paying attention to what it was and trusting her choice. I set it in the cart, and we moved further down the aisle.
