Maverick (The Family Simon 3)

“It’s no problem. I…”

I like her.

“I like her a lot.” Whoa. Now he was publicly proclaiming his feelings for Charlie. This was a whole new ball game for Maverick. But the of it thing was? He didn’t mind playing. Not at all.

“Good,” Ava said with a wink. “Though if you hurt her in any way, I’ll have to kill you.”

“You can get in line behind Davis.”

“True.” She giggled. “Speaking of Davis.”

They both turned as Davis, Connor, and Charlie returned with coffees and hot chocolate for the road. Maverick shook Davis’ hand and accepted a coffee from Charlie.

“You ready for the big day?” he asked Connor.

The little guy was bundled up and though he looked up at Maverick, he didn’t answer. He shuffled his feet and leaned into his sister.

“We’ll be heading out in ten minutes,” Charlie said. “My skidoo is over there.” She pointed behind Maverick. “I’ll follow you to yours and we can ride together.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Maverick said.

“Who you riding with?” Davis asked Ava, as he fingered his helmet and sunglasses.

“Seth Rogers,” she replied.

Davis’ eyes narrowed and Maverick glanced at Charlie to see if she noticed the sudden tension, but she was busy securing her brother’s scarf.

“Make sure he doesn’t leave you at the last stop. It’s happened before.”

Ava stuck her tongue out. “Don’t be such sourpuss, Jason. You don’t like Seth so you think that I shouldn’t like him.”

“You don’t like him.”

She snorted. “Of course I do.”

Davis pulled on his helmet. “No, Ava. You don’t.” He left without another word and headed toward his sled.

“What the hell is his problem?” Ava asked, staring after the tall mechanic.

“Who’s got a problem?” Charlie asked, finally happy with Connor’s scarf.

“No one,” Ava replied sharply. “I’ll see you at the next stop.”

Charlie watched her stomp off and turned to Maverick. “What was that all about?”

Maverick shrugged. “I think they’re both thinking about it.”

Charlie looked at him, an eyebrow arched. “It? As in, IT?”

“I think so.”

“Huh.” Charlie grinned. “Took them long enough.”

Chapter Fourteen

By lunchtime Charlie was beginning to think that she had a potential problem on her hands, and it had everything to do with a certain man riding beside her. Good Lord, had she ever seen a guy look so hot in aviators? Did his smile have to be so devastating?

Did he have to smile at her every chance he got?