Saving Maverick by Debra Elise

in and make scream. “No, it’s not that. It’s just. Hell, it’ll be fine. I need a couple of more weeks and I’ll be back to my old self.” He nodded to T.S. and left the office. He was so screwed.

Chapter 6
    Croissants were Kelsey’s Sunday splurge. After the evening she’d had, she deserved two. When she’d left Maverick Jansen staring after her, she’d found T.S. She’d debated telling him about her encounter, but thought he’d make too much of it, so she kept quiet.
    He had his driver drop her off at her condo, with the promise her car would be delivered the next morning so she didn’t have to go back to his office. She spent the night dreaming about a blue-eyed knight gifting her with dazzling smiles at every turn.
    All in all, she was proud of herself on how she’d handled both men and couldn’t wait to share the news with her best friends. Now that she was back in town for a while they could pick up their old college ritual of croissants and coffee. If they ever got here. Lara had been through a bad breakup last year and Kelsey was worried about the amount of partying she’d been doing lately.
    She loved being back in Pineville. It was a vacation destination community and made for some interesting nightlife. Tourists arrived in early June to play on neighboring Lake Coeur d’Alene, and the area’s world-class golf courses in the summer and surrounding ski mountains in the winter. Today was a chilly fifty degrees and the sky promised rain.
    So far, she had the upscale pastry shop, Just Desserts, all to herself as she sipped her favorite drink, a caramel and white chocolate macchiato with whipped cream. She was biting into her croissant when Lara finally made her appearance.
    A bundle of energy, Lara had her sun-bleached blond hair pulled up in a side pony, a bright pink warm-up suit and owl-eye sunglasses. Kelsey couldn’t help but grin and shake her head at her bestie. Even hungover, Lara managed to pull off the chic effect.
    After hugs and a few tears, they picked up like it hadn’t been over a year since they’d last seen each other.
    â€œSo where was the party last night? Sully’s or Club Cortana?” Kelsey asked.
    â€œYou think you know me so well, Kelsey Sullivan. I’ll have you know I was home and in bed by ten p.m.,” Lara answered.
    â€œReally? I find that odd, and yes, I do know you well. Friends like us can’t hide the truth for long, Miss Sass. Now give.” Kelsey took another sip of her drink and added, “Your night had to be more fun than mine, maybe.” She placed her chin in her hand and gave Lara a pointed stare. She always won their staring contests, even when they were seven.
    â€œNow who’s fibbing, Ms. Society. I wasn’t the one having cocktails with the pillars of our community and hot baseball players. Thanks for the text last night, by the way, letting me know where you were. It was the highlight of my night.”
    Something was off with her friend and Kelsey was about to ask what was going on when Noel strolled in, cell glued to her ear. Where Lara was easygoing and the life of the party, Noel worked nonstop. She spent her off hours building her interior design business. No partying for her. The serious one of the three, they often had to physically drag her out to have fun.
    â€œ Hi, sorry I’m late. But I have this new client and she’s proving to be . . . a challenge.” The tallest of the three of them, her hair several shades darker than Lara’s, and curves in all the right places. She also could eat whatever she wanted and not gain an ounce. Kelsey would hate her for that if she didn’t love her so much.
    â€œSo, what’d I miss?” Noel asked.
    Lara leaned back in her chair and answered first. “We were getting ready to debate who had the worst evening. And I’m pretty sure I’ll win. “I spent it with an