Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Henley
An offer I couldn’t refuse
I saw Maverick exit his car as I pulled into my garage.
Before I turned off my engine, the passenger door opened and my neighbor reached in, lifting Hulk from the seat and carrying my fur baby toward the door that led into my house.
I reached up and pushed the garage door button, closing the door behind us, still unsure why Maverick was here.
“Go ahead and put him on the pink pillow beside the sofa. It’s his favorite spot to sleep.”
Having a man other than Steve in my home felt odd.
I didn’t think of Steve as a man; he was my best friend’s husband.
He was safe. But my heart was beating rapidly as I watched Maverick kneel down and place Hulk carefully on his pillow.
Then he stood with his hands on his hips and stared at my little dog.
“You know,” Maverick started, watching Hulk already scratch at his plastic cone. “He won’t be able to be alone for the next two weeks while you’re at work.”
“I hadn’t thought about that.” I’d been so frantic at first about why Hulk was at the veterinarian and then relieved to find out it wasn’t serious that I just wanted to get him home and know he was safe.
But now that Maverick brought it up, I thought about how many sick days I had left to use this year.
My gut sank at the realization that I only had sixteen hours left.
I’d used up most of my vacation time and the bank was strict about missing excessive days, let alone using them for a pet. “Shoot.”
“I know we don’t know each other that well, but I’m home most of the day. My order of tile is in, so I’ll be working on the bathroom and kitchen.” Maverick rubbed his forehead. “What I’m trying to say is you’re welcome to drop him off when you go to work. That is if you trust me with him.”
The offer was nice, but he was right; I didn’t know him well enough to trust my Hulk with him. “It’s really okay. I’ll figure something out. This isn’t your issue.”
Maverick’s lips drew together. “It’s because we just met. You haven’t figured out if I’m a psychopath or a friendly neighbor. But I assure you, I’m the latter of the two. In fact, my Millie would love having company.”
I know you’re not a psychopath. I’ve been studying you for weeks.
“You’ve been doing what?” Maverick’s brows drew tightly together.
Shit, what was it with this man that flustered me so much that I just said what came to mind instead of keeping it quiet in my head. “That came out all wrong.” I raised my hands in protest. “I’ve not been stalking you. Well, sorta not stalking you.”
“Sort of?”
I bit at my bottom lip and closed my eyes for a second. “I’m not stalking, honestly. I’ve just made a few mental notes about my new neighbor. Like you have the same friends over every Friday night.”
Maverick placed his hands on his hips, not looking too pleased. “Is that it?”
I raised my shoulders and cringed. “The same old lady comes every Sunday to visit. I’m guessing it’s your grandmother.”
“Do I need to be worried you’re the psychopath?” Maverick smirked.
“I promise it was just curiosity. I was trying to get to know you without intruding on your space by knocking on your door.”
“So, you thought staring out the window every time a car pulled up was not intruding on my privacy.” Maverick chuckled. “Let’s start over again. I promise not to stare at your breasts, and you’ll stop snooping at everything I do. Deal?” he said, holding his hand out and waiting for me to shake it.
I placed my hand in his. “Deal.”
I watched his fantastic ass as he walked towards my front door. With his hand on the knob, he turned to face me. “What time should I expect you to drop the little guy off tomorrow?”
“Seven Fifteen.”
“See you then.”
“Wait,” I called out as he pulled the door open. “Who’s Millie?”
“If I said she was my girlfriend, would it make a difference?”
I shook my head.
“Good, ’cause she’s my golden lab. I’ll see you tomorrow, Henley.” Maverick winked and then closed the door behind him.
The smile that went with his wink made me weak in the knees.
I reached for the counter to steady myself.
If my mom was alive today, she’d lecture me about falling for the wrong guy again.
But did I really know what kind of guy Maverick was?
And the bigger question would be, am I falling, or have I fallen?