Part 14 (2/2)
”It's also not your computer. Eyes on your own screen.”
She blows a bubble with her gum, then looks back at my computer. ”What page are you on?”
”The last one. You?”
She curls her upper lip. ”What's my address again?”
Twenty-six months ago It's been two weeks since I last spoke with Maverick. He sounded stressed and exhausted then. Law finals plus job interviews sound close to impossible.
But now his name is lighting up on my screen. I shove Roxy, my sister's cat, off my lap and run to my bedroom.
”Hey, stranger,” I answer, locking the door behind me.
”I've missed the sound of your voice.”
I press my back against the door. ”Just my voice, huh?”
”Your voice for starters. I also miss how your hair falls over your bare shoulders. I miss your lips. I miss your eyes.” He lowers his voice. ”Your b.r.e.a.s.t.s, and do you know how badly I want to be between your legs right now?”
”If you give me a sec, I'm sure I could imagine.” I close my eyes. ”Yep. I've got a picture in my mind. You are one happy, happy man down there.”
Maverick groans. ”You're killing me.”
I cross the room and fall back onto my bed. ”Want me to describe it to you?”
”Oh. f.u.c.k. Yes.” He breathes into the phone. ”But now's not a good time.”
”Why not?”
He lowers his voice again. ”I'm at my parent's house. Dinner party.”
”Oooh. Does that mean you're wearing a suit?”
”And a tie.”
”Spiffy.” I prop pillows behind my back. ”So what's the occasion?”
”I'm graduating from law school next week.”
c.r.a.p.
”Oh, yeah. Next week ... already?”
Maverick chuckles. ”It's okay, Jellysnack. Just say you forgot.”
”I'm sorry. Stuff. Finals-more stuff.”
”J. Vernon application?”
I glance at the calendar. It's been two months since Finley and I applied. ”No word yet.”
”I'm sure it'll be there soon.”
”I'm not worried,” I lie.
”Good. So...” He drags out the word. ”We're kind of celebrating something else tonight too. My folks are. My dad's ... elated.”
”Do lawyers get elated? Seems awfully colorful for vampires.”
”Cute.”
I snicker. ”Blood suckers? Leeches? Ambulance chasers?”
”Did Finley make a list for you?”
”She likes lists.”
Maverick pauses. ”He did what he does: pulled some strings, and Sawyer and Brooks, P.C. offered me a job.”
”Ah.” I nod sympathetically. ”Your dad's old firm, right?”
”It's a great opportunity.”
”Wow. Next time say it like you mean it.”
He breathes out a laugh. ”It is. Just, you know, not how I wanted to secure a position at a firm.”
”So you accepted?” I ask, surprised.
”Like I said, great opportunity.”
”That's awesome, Maverick. Congratulations.”
”Yeah, well. It doesn't mean anything until I pa.s.s the bar.”
”You will.”
”They're paying me to study. Can't ask for better than that. Hopefully soon I'll be able to get my own place, because Jake and Finley's nighttime calls are getting creepy.”
”Are you eavesdropping on private conversations?”
”It's not eavesdropping when you can hear everything through the thin wall separating Jake's room from mine. I have to wear earplugs to bed. Their phone s.e.x is bizarre.”
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