“Yes.I’d love to.Thanks.”
“Good.Uh … what shall I order?”
“You choose.I’ll be over in thirty minutes.”
I stand by the window, my insides buzzing with the same excitement I had when I’d wait for him to find me on the Knight Estate all those years ago.My heart turns light and skittery as the reality sinks in that he’s on his way.To me.
At least, that’s what I like to imagine.I can’t stop smiling.Can’t keep still, and I’m still in disbelief that this is where I am.I had to pinch myself today at work, knowing I was returning home to this place.It’s been on my mind the whole day, thinking of a way to thank him.This seems perfect.It’s not a dinner date, just two people sharing a quick meal.
I hear a buzz on my phone.It’s a message from the building management.The infestation is more extensive than initially thought, and the follow-up treatment needs additional time to ensure the eggs are fully eradicated.I shiver in disgust and wonder how I will ever get used to living back there, especially after staying in a place like this.
I feel strangely elated.I get to stay here for a few more nights.
Or do I?I haven’t asked Zach yet.Fleur calls and I pick up instantly.
“Did you hear?”she cries.“We’ve got to stay out a few more nights.”
“I heard.”
“Dave’s fine to let me stay.I’m cooking in return.”
“You don’t cook.”
“He doesn’t seem to notice.Where are you staying?”
“With someone from the office, one of the secretaries,” I reply, intentionally vague.“I’ve got to go.I’ll call you later.”
I hang up, then try to figure out how to tell Zach.
Chapter 21
ZACH
Maya’s been easing up around me, her previous frostiness melting away.I’m more at ease now about seeing her tonight, out of work, and having takeout.
No big deal.
I knock even though I have the fob to get in.It feels right to do it this way.She opens the door, and my breath hitches.She’s still in her work clothes but barefoot, with her hair tied up loosely.I feel odd, and something flips in my chest.This isn’t the office.This isn’t a meeting or a corridor we pass at work.This isn’t a carefully managed distance.
The guardrails are no more.
Standing here, on her doorstep, I realize that whatever boundary existed between us has blurred.It’s going to be difficult not to remember the past and who we used to be.It’s going to be even harder to not want her.
“Hi.”She seems a little shy and awkward, too.I step into a world scented with peanuts, lemongrass and spice.
“You’re in luck,” she says, “I ordered pad thai and it’s just arrived.”
Pad thai.The memory wafts over me, stronger now that I can smell the food.It’s one of my favorites, because Mom loved it.
“With extra peanuts,” she says.“And spring rolls.”
“You remembered.”I’m touched that she would.Dad was away a lot, that much I remember, though it all made more sense when his dirty secret was out.On many of those times, with him away, Mom would get takeout on Fridays.She’d give the cooks a night off, and she’d take care of our dinner.I told Maya about it once, when I was telling her about my mom and how much I missed her.A few weeks later, she ordered pad thai, sneakily.Dad wasn’t away that time.He was hosting an important dinner, with lots of important people coming over.He told us he didn’t want to hear us or see us.
Maya and I stayed out of the way.We sat outside, near the lake, in a tiny spot where no one could see us.I remember us sitting on the grass, with the cartons spread out between us on a picnic blanket.Just me and her.No Jett or Dex.Not her with the other staff members.Just the two of us.
I think it might have been the start of me falling in love with her.
I follow her to the marble-topped kitchen island where she props herself up onto one of the barstools.The cartons are out, along with chopsticks and cutlery and a jug of water.I’m having a crazy déjà vu moment.
