Mr.Right

At many points in my life, I've blurted out words and later realized I should have kept them to myself. Even if it meant choking on them.

This is one of those situations.

But the words are already out in the open and all I can do now is face whatever Maverick says next. The only problem is, he's not saying anything.

"Erm... This is- This is the part where you tell me what you think about what I just said." I break the uncomfortable silence.

"I know." He runs his hand over his face before dropping it into his lap. "It's just... Allowing you to stay at my house was the biggest favor I could ever do for you. I didn't know it would come with extra tasks. 'Help you become a woman'? What does that even mean?"

His words slice through me like a sword and I feel like I'm a nothing once more.

"You think this is a task? Am I bothering you?" My voice doesn't sound steady and he seems to notice this because his eyes soften.

"That's not what I meant."

"But that's what you were implying," I press.

"Stop reading obscure meanings in everything I say."

"So are you agreeing to help me?" I know I'm being stubborn right now, but I can't seem to help it.

He shakes his head. "I never said that."

"So you won't help me."

"Oh, April! Look, I never said that either."

I begin to feel annoyed. "Then what are you saying?"

The car's headlights shine brightly into the night and I can see the person in the driver's

lost?" the man calls out of the window. He's middle-aged, with a rich British accent that sounds like music to

to his feet and walks towards the car. "Yes, actually. My car's battery went dead and

grins. "Today's your lucky day. I usually drive straight to St. Paul, since it's the closest place from here, but I'm going

spring up from the chair like a jack-in-a-box and

of the car, feeling the hum of the engine

can we be sure he's not a kidnapper?" I ask quietly, scanning every nook and cranny,

window. "How optimistic

entirely sure if that's

at me, "so you can calm down. He's a military man." Maverick nods his head in the direction of the

card rests on it and I give

young lady," says the man in the driver's seat, catching sight of my expression. "I won't be surprised if you fall asleep

the British slang he uses as it sounds so foreign to my ears. I've always admired British accents.

as I get home." I try to mimic his accent, but it

seriously. "You should definitely get some sleep after this. It's enough to

uncle*!" I say, in the same voice.

stifled laughter erupts from Maverick but the man doesn't seem

rate that accent as two out of ten," Maverick says in an undertone, just so I can hear him.

That's a pretty low rating for an accent as fluent as

me for a moment before we both burst out laughing, getting a concerned glance in the

to Minneapolis, I was already dozing off, resting my head on the window, which kept vibrating as the car hit several potholes.

both say our goodbyes to the man when he drops us off at the bus stop and zooms off in

back there," I say as Maverick and

out later." He walks ahead of me while I follow, hugging my jacket close to my body as I kick at the snow on the ground. Kicking at snow - that's another habit that's been with me since I was eight.

try to keep up with his long strides, but I hesitate as my eyes catch