“Oh dear …”
“Thankfully, Pilar has been incredible at her job and has kept me safe.”
Clarice nodded, giving Pilar another once over. “I’m glad to hear it.”
The lioness straightened her shoulders, tilting her chin up in almost a defiant manner that Maverick couldn’t help but think was rather hot. Even if it was directed toward his aunt.
“What kind of shifter are you, exactly?”
Pilar narrowed her eyes briefly. “Lioness.”
“Well, Miss Pilar, the lioness. You’ll keep my nephew safe, won’t you?”
“Of course. It’s my job.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it. Now sit down while I make us all dinner.”
* * *
After his third helping,Maverick pushed back in his seat and blew out a breath.
“I think I’m too stuffed to go back upstairs.”
Clarice smiled at him and collected his plate. “You at least have room for a doggy bag, don’t you?”
He tried not to groan. Even thinking about more food made him want to barf.
“We’ll take one,” Pilar said next to him.
“I’ll pack you both one!”
Pilar stood, grabbed her own plate, and headed into the kitchen. Without missing a single step, she turned on the faucet and began washing off her dirty plate, grabbing the two sitting next to the sink as well and washing them down before setting all of them on the drying rack.
“Pilar, you don’t need to do that.”
She shook her head at Clarice. “You cooked. I’m more than happy to clean.”
His aunt placed a hand on her shoulder. “You’re such a lovely young woman. I’m so glad you’re going to be taking care of my nephew.”
Maverick couldn’t help but snort at that. While he was more than sure that Pilar could save him when it came down to vagrants trying to steal him away to wherever the hell they were hiding, the thought of Pilar doing domestic tasks still made him want to laugh.
Standing up slowly, he took the dishes from his aunt’s hands and kissed her on the cheek.
“Thank you for having us over.”
“Of course.” She reached up and patted his cheeks. “You’ll come back around soon, you hear me?”
“I will, I promise.”
“All right, I’ll hold you to it.”
He shook his head at her, feeling bemused fondness for her. Pilar dried her hands on the hand towel hanging over the lip of the sink before moving out of the kitchen and to the front door. She nodded to Clarice on her way, bowing her head a little more than usual.
“I better see you both back here next week!” Clarice wagged her finger.
Maverick kissed her cheek again and stepped to the front door as well, smiling at Pilar when she pulled it open for him.
“We’ll see you later, Aunty.”