Page 5 of The Taste of Humility
“There is nothing you could give me or do for me that would get me to agree to your scheme. Is that better?”
“Much, though I’m very disappointed in you, Willow.” I can’t help myself and continue to poke at her. “I thought you’d be excited to have such a favor from me.”
“Have the day you deserve, Maverik,” she growls before the line goes dead. I can’t believe she hung up on me.
I move my phone away from my ear and smile down at it.
Damn.
I forgot how good it felt to feel a fire like hers. I felt it from across the line, and it was invigorating, enticing, and I want more.
Three
WILLOW
When Maverik finally arrives at the community center, I can hear Franny greet him enthusiastically. I glance up at the clock and shake my head.
He’s late.
And not by a few minutes.
By hours. Four, to be exact.
His deep voice greets Franny, dripping with charisma, and just like I thought, he captivated her instantly. It’s not surprising, really. I’m sure women all over the world fell to his feet with a simple smile.
Me… I’m not fooled by is playacting. Because that’s all it is. He’s acting.
I grew up around men like him, and it allowed me to build immunity to the fakeness.
“I think she’s finishing up in the kitchen. We had a community meal today,” I hear Franny say, the sound of their steps growing louder the closer they come. I finish rinsing a pot in the sink from today’s meal and place it on the towel when they enter. Franny’s eyes meet my own and I see the spell she’s under. “There you are. Maverik’s here.”
“I can see that.” My reply is quick and filled with irritation. I look past her to the man I’ve been dreading coming face to face with.God, help me.He’s still as good looking as I remember, if not more so.
He towers over of us, filling with the room with his size—built like some superhero in one of those comic book movies. I see the appeal and understand why he’s so popular. But none of that matters to me, because I see through it all.
I see a man whose expensive designer clothing wears him, and not vice versa. Whose luxury vehicle was purchased because it goes with the lifestyle. Whose self-worth is based on his fame and the people vying for his attention.
I see a man who is lost, searching for something to make him feel whole. But he’s looking in the wrong places, and he’ll never find it at the bottom of a bottle.
“I told you nine wouldn’t work for me,” Maverik smirks, leaning against the doorjamb. My palm itches to slap it from his face, and demand he be better.
I bite my tongue because he is infuriatingly suave with his nonchalant attitude.
“And I told you, tardiness would impact your service hours.” I cross my arms, narrowing my gaze at him. He lifts a hand and runs it through his dark hair, and for a brief second, his face slips. I frown, confused by what I see.
Wait. Is he… happy I’m holding him accountable?
“I’m here now,” he responds, his character mask back in place.
“After the fact.” I shake my head, tossing the towel I dried my hands with onto the counter.
“If this is going to be a problem for you, I can contact my lawyer and have my assignment moved.” This time I smirk, because little does he know I’ve already made that impossible for him.
When he didn’t show up this morning as expected, I called the clerk and requested they deny any transfer requests that might come in through his lawyer. After our conversation last night, I knew that’d be his next move when he realized I would not budge, and I would hold him accountable.
Even if that what’s he wants me to do, he’ll fight it still.
“Maybe you should,” I press, keeping my cards close. Franny blinks, looking back and forth between us, confusion knitted into her brow. She doesn’t know about our phone call, or the one I made this morning. I’ve purposely kept her in the dark about it. “Meanwhile, we have no need for you today since you missed the event you were scheduled for.”