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But like me, after a long day of peopling, he longed to go home to his sanctuary where he could let all of the walls come down and just be Mav. I can’t deny that a laid back Maverick is very appealing. I’ve seen his bar persona and his protective big brother side, but I only got a little glimpse of the laid back Maverick the first night we spent time together.
I’m pleased when he said that he loves to be outdoors. Being able to go outside and get lost in nature is one of my favorite things. Thankfully I don’t mind sharing that joy with others. I can’t wait until he has a day off and I can take him to hike some of my favorite trails. It doesn’t hurt that it will be sexy as all get out to see Maverick hiking and sweating as we take on some of the tougher, less known trails.
I’d love to take him to the falls, but I will have to check with Chayse and Emerson if they care. Of course it’s not private or a secret, but it’s special to us. We only ever hike that loop when we’re together and most of the time it’s our go to when one of us is in over our heads and needs a little sister time. It’s gorgeous, but I won’t take that special place away from us without talking to them about it, either.
Tomorrow is my first day of school, so our schedules are only going to get a little harder to sync up, but I am so excited to get back and get to know my new students. I may even get to have a quick hello here and there when Maverick has to bring Pat or pick him up from school.
I still can’t believe the audacity of Aileen and how unprofessional her stunt with Mav was. He told me a little more about what happened, and the girl has crazy written all over her with what she pulled at The Tavern. Even with the bad feelings, she should hold herself to a higher standard when it comes to how she conducts herself at the school.
With all of that being said, I guess I really shouldn’t be surprised. She is drop dead gorgeous and I’ve seen guys fall all over her feet. It doesn’t surprise me that she didn’t handle it well when Maverick turned her down. He said he had been pulling back before the incident happened at the bar because he could tell her feelings were changing. She also has the mean girl vibe. I tried being nice when she first started, but her niceness always has an air of being fake. No wonder her and Jasmine are friends.
I suppose that’s not fair since Jasmine was always pleasant with me, she was also just sleeping with my fiancé behind my back. I probably should thank her because marrying Brant would have been a very dull life. Sure, we would’ve been happy, but it would have been in more of a content manner than an all consuming love.
I do owe Maverick a huge thank you for at least showing me that the sex you read about in romance novels can be real. Sex with Brant was never bad, but it was also very vanilla and I hardly ever got off.
But, I can’t think about sex with Maverick. We have rules and I intend to stick to them or else I risk having my heart broken. He pulls me close in a way that is completely effortless, but his goals aren’t the same as my own and I’m not naive enough to be one of those women who think they can make a man change to what they want them to be.
He told me about what happened with his ex and his best friend, and I totally understand why he’s turned against a relationship. His entire world was ruined when he was betrayed by two of the people who are supposed to be the closest to him. Yes, what Brant did to me was awful, but what happened to Maverick is devastating.
I’m just hoping that through all of this, we’ll continue to build on this blooming friendship we have going on, especially since Chayse and Cash are paired off, and it’s only a matter of time before someone realizes just how amazing Emerson is. I’m hoping if we end the relationship amicably, it won’t be strange to anyone that we’re still friends.
Just like for my first day of school, the day before I have a routine I follow every year. The day was spent in my classroom making sure everything was perfect and attending a few in service meetings for all of the teachers. Tonight, I had a light dinner and prepared my lunches for the rest of the week. We start on a Wednesday to ease the kids back in after being on summer break. It is also nice for my kindergarten kiddos because some aren’t used to the all day structure of being in school.
After getting everything ready for my first day, it’s time to curl up with a book and try to relax before the high of being with 22 tiny humans overstimulates me tomorrow. I just got set up in bed when my phone rings and startles me. Snagging it off the nightstand, I realize I’m grinning ear to ear when I read Maverick’s name.
“Hello.”
“Hey Sweets. Are you all ready for the big day tomorrow?”
“Absolutely. I have my lunches packed for the week and I have my clothes laid out and ready to go. I’m curled in bed right now with a book because it may be the last time I have enough energy to read at night until I get used to this schedule again. But, I really think you’ll like the dress I picked out since you loved the one I wore to orientation.”
“Damn Sweets, you can’t tease me like that. I’m dying to know what it is, but it would be even better if you could send me a picture.”
“Um, like right now?” I’m in bed and don’t really want to get back out. But then I hear Maverick chuckle and I pause to see what he’s going to say.
“Nah, pretty girl. You’re already in bed and I think I’d rather see a picture with you IN the dress than it on a hanger.” I blush immediately and I’m not really sure how to handle him when he’s so playful.
“Um, if you’re serious, I guess I could send you a picture once I’m ready. It’s been a while since I’ve taken a first day of school pictures.” He chuckles and I can’t help but let out a small laugh.
“Well, it’s much appreciated. Since you already have your lunch ready for the week, what if I treat you to food at The Tavern tomorrow night to celebrate a successful first day? I know it’s not the ideal first public date, but I’m technically the manager on shift tomorrow but I’ll be able to get away for dinner and I want to hear all about your day.”
Could he be any sweeter? Dinner at The Tavern seems a little overwhelming after knowing how exhausting the first day of school is, but I also really want to share how my day went with someone, and if I’m being honest, Maverick is that someone.
“Yes, I’d absolutely love that.”
“Great! Then it’s a date. Have a great first day, Sweets. Good night.”
“Thanks, Mav. Night.”
We both hang up and I can’t stop smiling. It’s nice having someone call to check in on me and to make me a priority. Even though we aren’t going to be more, I didn’t realize how much I needed a friend right now. Despite his obvious downfalls, Brant truly was my best friend and I’ve been deeply missing that aspect of having a friend.
The first half of the day goes off without too much fuss, but I forgot how exhausting the kids can be. I would not be able to survive if I didn’t have Seraphine with me. We are just sitting down in the lunch room when everyone gets quiet because they realize we’re in the same room as Brant and Jasmine. I almost make a move to leave but then Sera speaks up loud enough for everyone to hear.
“So, what’s Maverick planning for you tonight? Does he have to work?” I blush feeling all eyes on me, but I’m so glad my fierce friend threw me out a life line. I told her about our arrangement, and she was hesitantly behind it. She’s in full support of getting everyone off my back, but she’s also afraid I’m going to get hurt. I’m not sure if she bought my reassurances, but I’m hoping she’ll see I’m going to be fine with some time.
Squaring my shoulders, I turn and give her my full attention. “He’s the shift manager at the bar tonight, but he told me to come in and he’d treat me to dinner to celebrate a successful first day. I told him that he can’t jinx me like that, but he just laughed and said he knew it wouldn’t be a jinx because he knows I’m an amazing teacher.” Sera sighs dramatically as she covers her heart. Some people may think she’s a little much, but I know she’s being over the top to try and help divert some of the attention from me.
Before either of us can say anything else, one of the girls walks into the break room from the front office with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. I was shocked when she sat them down in front of me with a huge grin on her face.
