Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Jo
Maverick made good on my request and screwed my brains out before he got the call to head to some mysterious location. He refused to tell me where he was going, and I was tempted to follow him, but of course he sent someone to the house to babysit me.
"You probably have better things to do than watch over me," I said to Lex who had yet to speak to me since he showed up.
The man looked at me with his stone-cold stare but didn't say anything.
"This is going to be the longest day ever if I'm forced to talk to myself."
I was saved by the doorbell ringing.
"Stay here," Lex grumbled as he walked out of the living room.
"He does speak," I hollered after him and then proceeded to drop my chin into my hands.
Why the hell did Maverick have to choose the one friend who refused to communicate? He had to know it would drive me up the wall.
Lex's whole demeanor changed when he walked in with a woman I knew to be Nancy. Her short black hair framed her face nicely, and she had the most vibrant green eyes I had ever seen. The way they held hands made me smile.
"Hey, Nancy. It's good to see you again."
"Hi, Jo. Likewise. I see Maverick sent Lex to keep you company."
I chuckled. "I'm not sure I would go that far. He refuses to speak to me."
Lex cracked a smile.
Dang! Never thought I would see that happen.
Nancy slapped his arm playfully. "Really? You're giving her the silent treatment."
Lex just shrugged but kept his mouth shut. Nancy rolled her eyes. "I swear he does it on purpose to see how others react to him."
"Well, I probably failed the test because I don't do well with silence."
"That's why I came over. I figured I would save you from going insane."
I could hug Nancy. Lex not so much. I figured he would likely growl at me anyway if I did.
"Can I get either of you something to eat or drink? I just realized I've been a terrible host."
"I'm good." Nancy looked over at Lex who merely shook his head. He was certainly going to be a tough nut to crack.
I sat back on the cushion with a sigh. "It's killing me to wait here without knowing anything."
"I know it's hard, but I can assure you he's safe where he is." Nancy gave me a tight smile.
"Wait, you know where Maverick is?" I sat up straighter and looked Nancy straight in the eyes.
"Lex, why don't you go outside and do a perimeter check while I talk to Jo for a minute."
Lex didn't argue. He simply gave Nancy a kiss on her forehead and walked out the front door.
"Wes warned me he told you about Ghost team."
"You know about them? I thought no one but Wes knew."
Nancy laughed. "I've been there from the beginning. I've handled Wes' financials since the day he hired me because otherwise he screwed them up. Yes, I know there's a Ghost team, and they work independently of his other teams. Otherwise I'm as clueless as you are."
I sat back in disappointment. Here I thought she had some secret information she could tell me.
"So you have no idea where he is?"
"Not a clue. I also don't know anything about the members of Ghost team. It's how they prefer it."
"Aren't you the least bit curious?"
"I was at the beginning, but I trust Wes, and I know he wouldn't keep it from me if it wasn't important."
I puffed out my cheeks and released an audible breath. "I guess I have to trust him as well."
Nancy smiled. "It's safer for the team and you if no one knows who they are. From what I gather, the assignments they take are extremely dangerous. Maverick is doing everything he can to make you and the baby safe, no need to screw that up."
I felt a little bad that I even considered taking on that secret. I was going to be a mother now. I couldn't be putting either of us in danger.
"You're right. I can't just think about myself anymore. I have a little one who depends on me."
"Are you excited?"
A huge smile cracked across my face. "Actually I am. I didn't think I would be. I never thought about having children, but when I got into that accident, the only thing I cared about was keeping the baby safe."
"Becoming a mother is the greatest gift in the world." I liked how wistful Nancy sounded.
"You have two kids, right?" I thought I remembered hearing my grandmother say that.
"I do, but they are both grown now and living their own lives."
Lex chose that moment to walk back into the living room and headed straight for Nancy. I saw a side of the man I never thought I would when he grabbed Nancy's hand and pulled her into his side. Kissing her tenderly on the temple. Lex really was a different person around Nancy.
"Sorry, I tend to get a little emotional when I think about being an empty nester. Thankfully this guy here knows how to keep me occupied."
Nancy smirked at Lex who returned it with his own small smile.
Unlike most men, Lex didn't need to puff out his chest to express that he was peacocking at Nancy's insinuation. It was all in his eyes and the way they twinkled. It made me realize I wanted a man to look at me like that when I was Nancy's age.
The thought hit me square in the chest. I never thought of having someone in my life long term.
"Jo, why don't you join me in the kitchen for a moment."
In a bit of a daze, I followed the woman without protest.
"You okay? I could see your mood shift rather suddenly."
"Yeah." I shook my head. "A thought kind of snuck up on me that I didn't expect."
"Care to talk about it?"
I looked at Nancy's caring face. "I think I might."
Nancy took a seat at the table and tapped the chair next to her. "Join me."
I did so without question. Nancy was old enough to be my mother, and I felt like I could talk to her as if she was. I hadn't had my mother in a very long time, so it was good to have someone besides my grandmother to talk to.
"I saw the way Lex looked at you, and it hit me that I wanted that for myself one day."
"And that's a bad thing? No offense but you went a shade of white back there."
"It's just not something I ever thought I would want. I was always happy flitting from man to man."
"Who do you think changed that for you? Maverick or the baby? Or is it both?"
There was no doubt in my mind why I was suddenly having different thoughts. "Mostly Maverick but maybe a little bit of the baby." I rubbed my fingers across my brows.
"It sounds like you need to do some soul searching."
I chuckled at her assessment. "You might be right."
"Can I give you some advice?"
My lips turned up in a smile. "Yes, please."
"Don't let this opportunity pass you by. If you're even thinking about wanting a future with Maverick, then tell him. You both deserve to have that conversation."
I felt so much better hearing that. "You're right. If I've learned anything from all this, it's to seize the moment because nothing is guaranteed."
"That's the spirit. You can do this. I believe in you."
I was glad to have Nancy in my corner. Because of her words, I truly did feel like I could do anything.