She quickly rushes to her feet when I walk down the porch steps toward my truck.

“Wait, you’re leaving before we finish our conversation?” The hurt and shock in her voice along with her scrambling to keep up with me has me holding back a smile. It’s the first time she’s chased me.

When I make it to my truck, I spin around to face her. “I’ve accepted your apology, but if you want to start over, then it’s time for you to work for what you want.”

Maize folds her arms over her chest and narrows her eyes. “Are you serious?”

Smirking, I open my door and hop in, then roll the window down. “Sure am, Maize Bishop. I’ve been chasing you for months. It’s your turn.”

“What?” She throws her arms to her sides.

“Gonna have to prove you’re serious, sweetheart. You’re a smart girl. You’ll figure it out.” I flash her a shit-eating grin and reverse out of the parking spot.

Her jaw drops, but before I drive off, I add, “Appreciate dinner. Already lookin’ forward to breakfast.” I throw her a wink, then speed off.

Watching her pout in my rearview mirror has me releasing a bellow of laughter. I can’t imagine the thoughts running through her mind right now.

I’ve never stopped wanting her, but if she truly wants us to be together, she’ll have to show me she’s one-hundred-percent committed this time.

And I can’t wait to watch her try.

Chapter Seventeen

MAIZE

Dust flies in the air as my jaw drops in shock. I can’t believe he fucking left!

Gavin drives off, and the anger pumping through my veins has me stomping my feet back to the table where I poured my heart out to him. If he forgave me, then why do I need to prove I want to be with him? Shouldn’t my apology and spilling my truths be enough?

Ugh!

Did I need to spell it out for him? I thought I was clear when I said I wanted to start over. Didn’t he realize that meant I wanted us to go out on a date or hang out and get to know each other again?

I basically pleaded for another chance, tried to work through my humiliation, and now he wants me to grovel. Gavin knows exactly what he’s doing.

While I deserve it, I don’t know how the hell I’m supposed to show him I want a chance and that I’m not going to run again.

After I clean up and put the dishes in the dishwasher, I call Rowan.

“Hey!” she greets eagerly as if she’d been waiting to hear from me. This was her idea after all.

“Listen to what this asshole did!” I blurt out, then tell her the whole story.

Once I finish, Rowan bursts out laughing.

“Are you seriously laughing?”