Page 70 of Savage Heart

“Thanks. Really. You didn’t have to do that.”

He nods.

I’m halfway across the lot when I realize he hasn’t driven off. Instead, he parks. I stop and watch as he gets out and follows me inside like this is just another morning. The bell above the door chimes.

And great.

Millie Claire is perched at the counter, coffee in hand, lips pursed. Her eyes flick from me to Maverick, and something sharpens in her expression.

“Well. I picked a good morning to come,” she says. She pats the stool next to her. “Come sit by me, Maverick.”

“Morning.” Vera looks at me with wide eyes.

“I’ll stick to a booth,” Maverick tells Millie Claire.

He slides into a booth and glances up at me. “Do they still do the bacon-and-cheese omelet?” he asks.

“Yep.”

“I’ll take that and coffee,” he says.

I nod and head behind the counter, setting my purse down.

“Should I stick around?” Vera asks.

“No, I’ve got it.”

She squeezes my shoulder like she’s not so sure and nods, grabbing her purse. “Call me.”

I move toward the coffee pot and grab a mug. Millie Claire swivels on her stool to face me fully.

“You hear about the ceremony?” she asks.

“Uh, what ceremony?”

“For Lincoln,” she says. “They’re retiring his number in a few weeks at homecoming. Whole town’s invited.”

My stomach tightens. “I hadn’t heard.”

“Well,” she says, tilting her head, “I suppose they wouldn’t expect you to come anyway.”

I keep my eyes on the coffee as I pour it.

“It’s just,” she continues in her honey voice, “you know, if things had gone differently . . . if you hadn’t made certain choices . . . he’d still be here.”

The diner is too quiet, like it’s come to a standstill.

I set the mug down carefully before my hands shake.

She shrugs. “Truth hurts.”

“That’s enough,” Maverick says.

Millie Claire and I both look at him in surprise. He’s moved from the booth to the counter without either of us noticing.

She puts her hands on his chest and practically purrs. “You know I’m just saying what you want to say. Here, sit by me. I need to convince you that you’re the right person to speak at the ceremony.”

“I already told you it won’t be me.” He pulls her hands off and drops them. “Find someone else.”