Maya grinned at him, her half smirk that he loved so much, as she leaned toward him. “Well, until now, there wasn’t really much of an ‘us.’”
“Is there now?”
Maya shrugged and her smirk slipped a bit. “If I tell her, she’ll make me come home.”
Sam sat up and placed a tentative hand on top of hers. She did not pull away. He took her hand and fixed his eyes on hers, which seemed to glow with a light from within. He was just bringing her hand to his lips when the door opened.
“Maya?” Her uncle leaned out, his deep voice thick with sleep resounding in the still air.
Maya pulled her hand free of Sam’s with such speed, he thought he might have a friction burn.
“Yes, Deepak-mama.” She bolted up onto her feet, and spoke hastily. “I’ve been home. Just enjoying the summer evening.”
“Enough enjoying. Come in.” He shut the door and went back in.
“Yes, Deepak-mama.” Maya turned apologetic eyes on Sam. He was already on his feet. He drank her in for a moment and fought the urge to reach out and touch her.
“You’re different than I thought you’d be.” Her smile was suddenly shy.
“Is that good?”
“It’s really good.” She bit her bottom lip and the flush on her cheeks made him weak.
“Until next time, then.” There was no suppressing the stupid grin on his face.
She nodded. “Next time.” She took a step toward the door.
It looked to Sam that she was stalling. Excellent. “Good night, Maya.” Sam turned and walked back to his car, lest he dawdle as well and get her in trouble. He had one hand in his pocket, clutching the coin. He smiled to himself. “Hasn’t failed me yet.”
CHAPTER NINE
MAYA
Maryland, 1996
“HEHASN’TGOTa prayer, Maya-didi,” Sejal said, using the term for older sister, as she admired her older cousin’s reflection. Since neither girl had siblings, sisters they were. “That boy is going to fall for you.” She crossed her hands over her heart and pretended to swoon.
Sam had called that morning and invited Maya to an outdoor concert that night at Merriweather Post Pavilion. The invitation had both surprised and thrilled her, so she’d accepted without hesitation. If her best friend, Ami, were here, she would probably lecture her on the hazards of seeming too available. Whatever. She couldn’t explain it, but she had tossed and turned all night after their date the previous evening, her belly spinning with anticipation of seeing him at work today. But he’d been busy picking up more tile and supplies, so Maya’s belly continued its churning.
Sejal had been horrified when Maya had simply put on jeans and a T-shirt to go to the concert. “Are you kidding, Maya-didi? This is a date. Asecond date.” She spoke slowly, as if Maya were a child. “You have to dress nicely, but notlooklike you’re trying to dress nicely.”
Maya had rolled her eyes. “That’s ridiculous.”
“No, it’s not,” Sejal had said, handing Maya black capri pants and a lime-green blouse. “How can you have graduated from college and not know that?” She leaned closer to Maya and whispered, “Just because my parents don’t let me date, doesn’t mean I don’t.” She put her hands on her hips. “Put that on.”
Maya pursed her lips at her younger cousin. Of course Sejal was dating behind her parents’ back. Deepak-mama was almost as strict as her mother. He might have supported his sister when she was in dire straits, but he certainly didn’t want his daughter to end up pregnant and alone—which is what both brother and sister assumed dating would lead to. Maya did an internal eye roll at the thought. “Who’s the guy?”
“Not important.” Sejal blushed, and Maya made a note to pursue this later.
The fact that Maya was a college graduate was what allowed her even to go on a date. That and the fact that Maya let her uncle believe that her mother allowed it.
In any case, Deepak-mama made her keep that midnight curfew. It made no difference that she was twenty-two years old. Maya had simply shaken her head at her cousin and obediently put on the outfit, much to Sejal’s approval.
At precisely seven, the doorbell rang. Sejal squealed. “He’s here!”
Maya’s stomach lurched, and she reprimanded herself. This was Sam, whom she had spent three weeks avoiding and turning down. Why, all of a sudden, did her heart quicken, and palms get sweaty when she was about to see him? She leaped to her feet to answer the door.
“What are you doing?” Sejal squealed at her like she had suddenly gone mad. “My dad has to do round two of his interrogation.”
