Chapter 3
DOVE
My rideshare driver pulls up in front of the cute Los Feliz bungalow I recognize from last year, before Christmas.
Dr. Platt helped me set up the interview with Dr. Smithfield at CalTech in which I told him our fears for the orchard. He agreed to let me take an independent study semester with him, helping with his research, and learning all I can about the disease as part of my post-graduate work.
Once we’d finalized the details, I decided to stop in and visit my childhood friends, Haddy and Gina Bradford in the hopes they could help me find a place to stay for one semester.
Next thing I knew, they had me set up in Haddy’s old room in this house the girls shared with Maverick.
“You made it!” Haddy’s voice comes from across the street, where she now lives with her husband and baby girl. “How was your flight?”
Turning, I see her smiling and running to meet me with baby Lucy on her hip.
My chest rises as I use two hands to haul the suitcase holding pretty much everything I own from the back of the silver Kia.
“It was long!” I laugh, reaching out to hug her.
The driver takes out my two smaller bags then waves before hopping back inside and pulling away. Lucy kicks her chubby legs, and I lean down to kiss her rosy cheek.
“Hi, Lucy! I’m your friend Dove!” She looks exactly like Haddy, with dark-brown hair and big blue eyes.
She coos and blows bubbles, and Haddy and I both melt into awws like it’s the first time a baby’s ever done that.
“I’m just going to have to steal her away from you, okay?” I squeeze her chubby baby leg before stacking one of my bags on top of my rolling suitcase while Haddy grabs the other one.
“Good luck with that.” She leads the way up the steps to the house I’m sharing with Maverick, which I confess has me a little jittery and excited.
We saw each other briefly at Christmas, and he’s changed a lot since that last time we were together. He’s a lot taller and hotter. Okay, he’s panty-melting gorgeous.
“I’m only holding her now because Gavin is still asleep,” Haddy continues. “The guys had a late game last night, but he’ll be out here hogging her soon enough. He’s determined she won’t forget him during hockey season.”
My nose wrinkles. “I mean, I kind of get that. From what I understand, they play a lot of games all the time.”
“It’s true.” She sighs as she enters the code for the door, saying the numbers out loud as she taps them. “If you forget it, just text Gina or me. Or Owen or Gav. Or heck, even Heather and Maddie know it.”
“Sounds very secure,” I tease, rolling my suitcase across the wooden threshold, all the way to the base of the stairs.
“Mav can carry that up for you. You’ll have the whole second floor to yourself now that Gina’s moved in with Owen.”
“Dove?” Gina’s voice echoes from the porch before she runs through the door straight to where I’m standing. “I saw your rideshare! How was your flight? How did you get the baby? Where’s Gavin?”
“See?” Haddy calls back to me. “I told you. He never puts her down.”
“What’s going on out here?” The door beneath the staircase opens, and my throat constricts when Maverick staggers into the living room in only black boxer briefs that hug his narrow hips.
His dark hair is long around his face and neck, and I get a brief glimpse of the lines of muscles across his stomach before he pulls a loose T-shirt over his head. That was definitely a six pack… maybe an eight?
“Good lord, Mav, put some clothes on,” Haddy scolds as he rubs his stomach with one hand and his eyes with the other.
“It’s okay,” I say quickly. “I’m the guest here. He shouldn’t have to change his routine for me.”
I don’t know why my neck is so hot. I’ve grown up with all of these folks, swimming in the creek in even less clothes than we’re wearing now.
“Oh, shit! Dove’s here?” Mav turns on a dime, returning to his bedroom as he shouts back to us. “What time is it? I thought you weren’t getting here til after lunch.”
“It’s twelve-thirty, Maverick,” Gina calls after him, shaking her head as she rolls her eyes. “He went out with the guys after the game last night. No telling what they did.”
“Of course.” I nod, doing my best to keep up. “I imagine they’re amped up after a game.”
“Don’t be sweet to him.” Haddy touches my arm. “He’ll walk all over you.”
My lips twist, and I don’t say what I’m thinking. I’m sure they had a different experience growing up together like siblings. I only saw them in the summers or on special occasions.
“I just appreciate y’all letting me crash here,” I tell her instead.
“Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you get settled at the university,” Haddy continues. “I just finished last spring, so I know everybody.”
“I definitely will! Heck, I’d be happy if you’d go with me the first day and show me around.”
“Really?” Haddy’s eyes widen. “I’d love that! Dr. Smithfield and I never worked together, but he’s friends with Dr. Cross, my graduate advisor.”
“Please.” I clutch her arm, and she nods happily. “I’ve been so busy since I graduated. I’d love to go back and see the old gang.”
The hair on my skin prickles when Maverick returns to the room. He’s now wearing gray sweatpants and the same loose T-shirt, and his dark hair is tied back in a messy man-bun.
“Sorry, Dove.” He smiles sheepishly, and I’m surprised how deep his voice has grown. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“You’d better straighten up, mister,” Gina teases, poking his shoulder. “Dove’s a lady.”
“You didn’t make me uncomfortable.” I reach out to squeeze his forearm, which is also solid as a rock. “Seriously, I’m not trying to cramp your style. Just pretend like I’m not even here.”
“Like that’s going to happen.” He looks up at me from beneath his dark brow, voice low, hazel eyes making my insides all squishy.
What is going on here? Since when have I reacted this way to Maverick? We’ve known each other forever, since we were kids daring each other to jump into the freezing creek or dropping ice down each other’s shirts…
I could use a piece of ice right now.
“You’ll figure out your rhythm,” Haddy says, confidence infusing her tone. “We had to adjust when Mav moved in with us, and it only took a week before we were all completely used to each other.”
“Back in the old days.” Gina tilts her head to the side, poking out her bottom lip.
Mav squints an eye at her. “You love being at Owen’s place. Stop acting like you miss me.”
“I do miss your cooking.” Haddy turns to me. “One of the perks of living with Maverick Murphy, you never have to worry about what’s for dinner.”
“Only one of the perks?” When he smiles, that dimple in his cheek deepens, and I have to grab the reins on the wild ideas galloping through my head right now.
I’m here to learn, not… whatever.
Shaking that away, I revert to teasing, like I’ve always done with him. “Well, that’s good, because I only know how to make mac and cheese from the blue box.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” he says. “It’s the best kind.”
“At least we all agree on one thing,” Gina says.
“Welcome to our humble home, Dove.” He steps forward to give me a brief hug, and I’m surrounded by the delicious scent of warm woods and soap.
My head tilts all the way back, and his body is like a pillar of concrete. “Dang, Mav, you’re tall as a tree!” I hold the back of my neck, squinting up at him. “Hard as one, too. I’m going to have to get a step ladder and a pillow if I hug you again.”
He blinks a few times, and I think he might be blushing?
“It’s true,” Gina laughs. “He got the Bradford growth spurt senior year—was that the last time y’all saw each other—before now, I mean?”
“Longer,” I note, searching his eyes for any indication of memory. “I think we were sophomores the last time we saw each other. Weren’t we?”
He nods, and my eyes outline his square chin, the lock of shiny dark hair that escaped his messy bun. “We were picking peaches for ice cream.”
He remembers. I didn’t know then it would be the last time we’d see each other for so long—much like I didn’t know until now how much I missed him, or how happy I am that he remembers.
Life simply went on, leading us to now, standing here, smiling at each other.
Haddy shifts the baby on her hip. “Well, I’ve got to get back to the house or Gavin will think I’ve run off and joined the circus.”
“Wait… this isn’t the circus?” Gina looks from her to Mav to me.
“Har har,” Haddy gives us all air kisses and waves as she slips out the front door.
“If this isn’t the circus, why do we have all these dogs?” Gina calls after her laughing, then she turns back to us. “Speaking of dogs, Carla has Kelani ready for you, Mav. Still want her?”
“How soon does she need an answer?” he calls.
“We said a week. Maverick!” Gina’s shoulders drop, and her lips pull down at the corners. “You forgot?”
“No, I just… I wanted to be sure…” He holds out a hand to me. “How would you feel about us fostering a dog for Gigi’s friend Carla?”
Gigi is short for Gina Grace, and it’s what we all called her when we were kids. Hearing him say it is warm, like being back home.
“It’s a Siberian Husky, who I now know is named Kelani.”
My lips part, and I look from him to Gina. “Akela was a husky!”
“I know.” Gina loops her arm in mine. “It seems like you really liked her… Am I remembering that right?”
Nodding, I press my lips tightly. “I did.” Emotion thickens my throat. “She crossed the rainbow bridge a few years ago.”
“Oh, no!” Gina gives me a sad face. “I’m so sorry.”
Even Maverick’s expression darkens. “I’m sorry, Dove.”
He puts a hand on my back, rubbing it up and down.
“Thanks, guys.” I shake my head, touching the unexpected tears from my eyes. “I don’t know why it still makes me cry a little. She had such a long, full life.”
“Our pets are our family.” Gina returns to where we’re standing, taking my hand. “Especially heroic pets like Akela.”
“She was the best dog.” I nod, my nose hot.
Maverick pulls me to his chest again for a hug. “Don’t cry. I’m already working on Carla to let us adopt her if you want.”
My heart squeezes, but I shake my head. “That’s really sweet of you both, but don’t do it for me. I’ll be studying all the time, then I’m heading back to Louisiana when I’m done.”
“Right.” His expression changes slightly.
Gina wrinkles her nose at him. “In that case, we also have a cat in need of a good home if you’re interested. Cats are very low maintenance.”
“Don’t tempt me with a good time,” I tease, looking at my bags on the floor. “Anybody want to help me get these upstairs?”
The words have hardly left my mouth when Mav swoops up my suitcase in one hand and my bag in the other. “Lead the way.”
“I think she’d be more comfortable in Haddy’s old room.” Gina grabs my other bag, and I collect the rest of my belongings before following them to the second floor.
Haddy’s old room is bright yellow with wooden blinds and heavy blackout curtains over the windows. It’s right next to the bathroom. The queen-sized bed is made up in a light green and pink floral, shabby-chic quilt with matching pillow shams.
The walls are bare, and the only thing that gives it character is a lone bookshelf in the corner, where a collection of hockey romances is shelved. I walk over to scan the titles, thinking I might have to do a little extracurricular reading.
“Make yourself at home,” Gina announces. “Haddy is officially married and gone, so however you want to decorate it is fine with us.”
“I don’t know if I’ll do much decorating… Does that mean you’re not quite gone?”
“Mentally, I’m gone, but technically…” Gina groans, draping a hand over her face. “Moving is such a drag. I’m doing my best, but I can’t seem to get motivated to pack boxes.”
Mav stands at the door, holding the doorjamb overhead as he watches us. It causes the muscles in his arms to flex attractively, and the hem of his shirt rises, revealing the lower half of a nicely toned torso.
My ears heat, and I clear my throat, blinking away fast. The last time we were together, he was a cute boy. Now he’s all man, muscles, square jaw, outgoing and friendly, noticing everything.
I wonder what he’s thinking as he watches us. He’s like a sexy puzzle box tempting me from the doorway.
“What do you think, Mav? Is Gigi holding onto her old room out of a fear of commitment?” I’m totally teasing, and he grins.
“Nah,” he teases back, ridiculously adorable. “She’s just lazy.”
“Rude!” Gina gives him a gentle shove. “I’ve really just been worried about you being here all alone.”
“Well, he’s not alone now,” I announce.
Looking up, I meet his smile. It’s satisfied, like he likes me in his house, like he’s been waiting for me to be here, and now I am.
It makes me think of being a child waiting for Christmas or summer vacation. The way you feel when it arrives.
“Well, I’d better head on back to my own little brood.” Gina squeezes my wrist. “I’ll let you know about Kelani.”
She gives her cousin a playful poke in the ribs, muttering about showing him lazy, and then she’s gone, leaving the two of us standing together in my new bedroom.
I blink up at him, and he hesitates a moment. He’s still watching me with those smoky hazel eyes.
“If you don’t want a dog, we don’t have to get one. I didn’t think having a husky might make you sad.”
So thoughtful. He might be tall, dark, and ridiculously handsome, but he’s still my old buddy Mav, who I’ve always been able to talk to. Who’s always looking out for me.
“I think it’s really sweet you and Gina picked out a husky for me.” I smile up at him. “You wanted to make me feel at home.”
His eyes hold mine a moment, then he clears his throat, seeming to shake away whatever he was thinking. “I hope you always feel at home here.”
“I do. It’ll be like when we were young, except longer.” Then I exhale a laugh. “I’ll probably start to get on your nerves after a while.”
“No way,” he answers fast, then he seems embarrassed, clearing his throat and rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ll let you unpack. Come down when you’re ready.”
He’s such a contradiction. I want to get to know this new, grown-up Maverick. I still see the boy I told all my dreams and hopes to that day so long ago. But now I also see this adult man, who’s gorgeous and confident and disarmingly thoughtful.
He makes my ears hot and my whole body feel like I need a long drink of ice water. He makes me feel like being here is as dangerous as it is safe.
Which is utterly ridiculous. I’m here to learn, not have wild fantasies about an old friend. Still, I sneak a glance at his ass as he walks away. A little fantasy never hurt anyone.