“Jesus. That far back?” Maya sighed. “And I thought I held a grudge. Look, when I thought he was starting a bakery right next door to yours, I was livid. Now, knowing it’s an actual restaurant? You guys could co-exist.” Seeing Riley’s grimace, she amended, “Co-exist in mutual dislike, I mean. Oh hell, forget I said that. What was I thinking to advocate communal happiness?”
“Yeah. What were you thinking?”
“Go doctor up a cupcake. Put something in it to give him the runs. Then manage a way to get his guys to give it to him so it doesn’t seem like you’re in on it.”
“Now you’re just being silly.”
And ridiculous, but Maya grinned. “Admit you’re thinking about it.”
“No comment.” The doorbell rang, and Riley blew out a breath. “Thank God. Someone with common sense has arrived.”
Ann entered with the glow of someone in love. A natural redhead with big blue eyes and a petite frame someone as tall as Maya envied, Ann had a generous heart and a loving nature. Ms. Too Nice, Maya liked to call her. Hell, the woman even taught elementary school kids. It was like she was trying to win a gold medal in Olympic sweetness.
“And we’re finally complete. The Terrible Trio rides again.” Maya held up a ham and cheese, stuck her tongue out at Riley and bit into the sandwich.
They all gathered at the kitchen island, where Maya and Ann sat as Riley continued to fuss around the kitchen. “I made her wait for you,” Riley explained to Ann. “She was whining like crazy.”
“I’m hungry and my head hurt from trying to understand how you’re having so much trouble with Anson,” Maya said around her food.
“Would you please chew, swallowthentalk?” Riley grimaced. “Gross.”
Maya opened her mouth, which was full of food, wider, and Riley groaned.
Ann laughed. “I missed you guys. It’s been all of what, four days? Yet nothing seems to have changed since I’ve been with Jack.”
“Yep,” Riley agreed. “Maya is still a huge pain in my ass.”
“All I hear is blah, blah, blah. Pass the lemonade.” Maya joined in their humor, though a good part of her remained cautious. Ann had finally snagged the love of her life. It was only a matter of time before she started pulling away from the group. Date nights with Jack that interfered in wine nights with the girls. She and Jack would get married, have kids. Possibly move out of town if Jack’s job took them away, breaking up their trio…
Riley snapped her fingers in front of Maya’s face. “Hey, dream girl. Wake up. Ann asked you a question.”
Maya swallowed her food past a dry throat. “Huh?”
“So eloquent.” Ann snorted. “Pass me a sandwich and tell me how your date with Dex went.”
Riley lit up. “Oh yeah. I totally forgot that was last night. Funny you didn’t mention it.”
“I was going to tell you.” Maya hoped her cheeks didn’t look as warm as they felt.
“So? How did it go?” Riley grabbed a sandwich. “Is he groveling at your feet yet?”
Ann smiled. “I think it’s cute he pretended to blackmail you into dating him.”
“Pretended? The bully said he’d go to the cops.” Yet Maya knew he wouldn’t.
“Please.” Riley huffed. “He never liked Selena Thorpe. Remember? He wasn’t one of the in-crowd back in high school. Like us, well, like you and me, he was an outsider.”
Ann shook her head. “I might have been a little popular, but you forget the star quarterback broke my heart in front of the entire senior class. I lost any popularity I had.”
“Technically you lost that in second grade when we became best friends,” Maya countered. “Hang with the outcasts and you can’t help but get some dirt on you.”
“Good point.” Riley grinned, losing the tension she’d been carrying earlier.
“You two had tons of friends. You just like to think you didn’t because it’s more dramatic.” Ann pointed at Maya. “You, especially, can be a real drama queen.”
“Yes, she can.” Riley checked on the cookies, then returned to the island. “And don’t think all this chatter has distracted us from the date you still haven’t described. Talk, sister.”
Maya groaned. “It was horrible.” She recounted everything, from the scare in the tub to the scorching kiss in the truck. “How the hell do I one-up him if I’m always thinking about doing him?” She glared at Ann. “And get that stupid, sappy look off your face. This ain’t hearts and flowers here, kid. My body might want him, but the man bugs me. Hestillhasn’t said he’s sorry for forcing me to go out with him.”
