She glared at Ann. “Hey. I’m fucking gorgeous.”
“But stupid.” Riley shook her head. “Look, Dex is in love with you. More, you’re in love with him. Bottom line, he’s not your mom.”
“Duh. He’s a guy.”
Ann’s face softened. “Oh, Maya. You’ve been torn up about your mom forever. As much as you pretend that you don’t care, those racist comments always put you in a black mood. Whenever someone says something, it’s like you’re a kid again and your mom is throwing you away.”
“’Cause the bitch did just that,” Riley agreed. “But we picked you up and kept you. You’re ours. Do you really think we’ll give you back after having had you for over twenty years?”
“That’s just stupid.” She found a tissue to bow her nose.
“Yeah. It’s also stupid to think you should break up with Dex because he’s bound to leave you like your mom did. Your dad stuck.”
“And I made his life miserable,” came out without her meaning it to.
“Maya.” Ann patted a spot beside her on the couch.
She took it, and Riley moved to sit on her coffee table so she could see her.
“Your dad loves you like crazy. Heck, if he married someone else when you were ten, would that have made your mom leaving any easier?” Ann sounded so reasonable.
“You make me sound like a dumb kid.”
“Right now youarea dumb kid,” Riley said with a tone Maya wasn’t sure she liked. “Do you have any idea what you’re throwing away? How much I’d love to have someone look at me the way Dex looks at you? To feel that connection? You sparkle when you’re around him.”
Maya tried to laugh off the hurt. “It’s only been a month.”
“That boy dragged you kicking and screaming to his prom twelve years ago.” Riley got into her face. “A sweet kid who thought you were his whole world. Now years later, he’s a grown man who still thinks you’re awesome. So maybe you don’t work out later. Maybe you grow apart after ten years and split. Or maybe you live for the next fifty years arguing about who takes out the garbage. At least have the guts to see how things could be.”
Was she so afraid of life that she’d made a mess she shouldn’t have?
“Look at it this way, Maya,” Ann said. “Worst case, you have a broken heart but no regrets. You gave it your all. You’re not a quitter or a coward. You stand up to people all the time. You broke Selena’s nose!”
Riley snickered. “That’s so classic.”
“Why be such a wuss now?” Ann snapped. “Remember our pact? About getting closure? About dealing with the men who wronged us? Except you’re the one who wronged Dex. Put it right. If nothing else, at least know you gave him your best. Because all these tears? Being afraid? Is that really your best?”
Maya sighed and leaned back into the couch. “You guys are better than any therapy, ice cream or double fudge brownies a girl could hope to have. You’re right.”
“Can I quote you on that?” Riley asked. “I don’t often hear you admit when we’re right. Usually it’s just lots of drama, foot stomping and a broken nose or two. But hey, you sound almost rational.”
“You know, since I mentioned brownies, I don’t suppose you brought any?”
Riley grinned. “Double fudge, because you’ve been a double bitch lately.”
“Funny.”
Ann chuckled. “Jack won’t come anywhere near me if you’re in the vicinity. I’ve been told in no uncertain terms that until you’re sane again, girls’ night remain girls’ night.”
“That’s all it takes?” Riley teased. “A little Maya nuttiness? Now we know how to pry you away.”
“With a crowbar,” Maya added and blew her nose. “We’re glad you’re in love and all, but you can’t bring him to wine night anymore. He ruins a good case of man-mad.”
“I concede. No more guys on Wednesdays.” Ann nudged Maya. “That means no Dex either.”
“If we make up.” Now she felt ten times worse. “What if he’s already dating someone else? I mean, Selena and her cronies were eyeballing him at the festival and the mini-golf place. He’s hot.”
“And apparently available.” Riley whistled. “Glad it’s not my man all sexy and studly and up for grabs. I’d be so worried. He could be married by now…”
