Page 68 of Savage Heart

“No, of course not.”

She kisses my cheek. “Thanks, Maverick. Have a good night.”

“You too, Christa.”

“Hey, Iris and I are going to the party Joey’s throwing,” Lincoln says. “I told them you were coming too.”

“Nah. Grady’s here. I think I’m gonna go home. My head’s kinda hurting from all the punch.” I make a face, and Iris touches my arm.

“Are you sure you can’t go?” She pokes out her lower lip.

I put my hand on her waist, and she leans into me.

“Yeah, I should go home.”

I don’t trust that I can keep my hands to myself tonight.

“I’m sorry you don’t feel well,” she says. “Will you be okay?”

“Yeah.” I grin. I lean close to her ear. “Are you sure you’re okay for another party, little lightweight?”

She giggles. “Yes. I’ll be okay.” She wraps her arms around me and gives me a huge hug. “Love you, Mavvie,” she says, using the nickname my sisters call me.

I laugh. “I love you too, Iris.”

She blows me a kiss, and I feel a little lightheaded.

I grin all the way to the car.

“What happened to you?” Grady asks, laughing, when I get in. “It was a good night?”

“It was a great night,” I say, flinging my arm out. “We danced, we laughed . . .”

“You drank,” he finishes.

“We drank,” I echo.

He laughs again. “I’m glad, little brother. You’ve been looking like a sad sack for a while. It’s about time.”

I snort. “Sad sack.”

It strikes me funnier the more times I say it, and Grady and I laugh all the way home.

Chapter 17: Smelling the Roses

Iris

The car sputters, just a hiccup. But then it makes a loud rattle, lurches, and dies, and it rolls to a stop as I steer to the shoulder. I sit there for a second, resting my forehead against the steering wheel. I pop the hood and look at the few things I know from Otis. I don’t see anything out of place, but I’m sure I’m missing something.

I hear a truck pull up and am surprised that anyone stopped. Must be Russell because I know that Vera and Kell are at the restaurant.

I look back to see Maverick stepping out of his truck, his cowboy hat dipped low. I close my eyes for half a second, like I can rewind the universe into choosing anyone else.

“Car trouble?” he asks.

“No, I’m just standing out here admiring the flowers.” The words came out sharp, and I sigh immediately. “Yeah. It just . . . died.”

He nods and comes over to take a look under the hood. “Let’s try giving it a jump.”