New York, 2012
ITWASTWOweeks before Christmas and the coffee shop was hopping. People doing their Christmas shopping in the cold always needed a break, and hot coffee was always the remedy. Maya and her mother baked extra cookies this time of year for the crowd, and the specialty cake orders increased every year. Her sense of accomplishment and pride generally made up for the lack of sleep and accompanying exhaustion, but this year, her focus waned. There was no question in her—or anyone else’s—mind as to why.
Ami leaned against the counter. “I heard Sunita-auntie finally went out with Raju-kaka.” She wiggled her eyebrows.
Maya grinned. “About time, don’t you think? I saw her before they left. She actually ditched the traditional salwar kameezfor a skirt and top—very modest, of course—and get this—heels!”
“Go, Auntie!” Ami grabbed one of the cookies Maya was packing up for her.
“Do you have to do that every time?” Maya let out an irritated breath.
“Makes me feel like I’m getting away with something.” Ami took a bite and moaned. “I keep you as my best friend for these cookies alone. So, Christmas.” She flashed her eyes at Maya. “What are you doing?”
“Well, Samantha is going to Maryland with her dad for a few days.” Maya avoided her friend’s eyes. “So I’ll be here.” Heat rose to her face for no comprehensible reason.
“You still love him.” Ami was nothing if not blunt.
“Huh? What? We’re not even talking about him. No.” She fumbled with the box. “Ouch.”
“What’s that? Paper cut?” Ami arched a perfect eyebrow.
“Yeah. So? Don’t read into it.”
“Don’t read into the fact that you still love Sam and the mere mention of it has you fumbling and cutting yourself?”
Maya ignored her friend as she searched for a Band-Aid. Truth was, now that Sam was back, thoughts of him invaded her waking and sleeping hours. Not to mention that Samantha adored him, and he seemed to adore her back. That gave Maya warm, fuzzy feelings she could do without.
“He’s getting married.” Ami’s other talent was stating the obvious.
“I know. I’m making the cake.”
“So either fight for him or move on.”
“He’s clearly in love with Paige, and I actually kind of like her.” She fastened the Band-Aid around her finger, and murmured, “I had my chance. It’s gone.”
“When are you going to tell him whole truth of why you left? You have proof.”
“Never. I’m never going to tell him. What purpose would that serve?”
“Well, he could stop being pissed at you.”
“But he’ll be hurt. Not to mention, Samantha also loves Sam’s mom. And I’m not taking that away from my daughter.” She sighed and fussed with the pens near the register. “Either way, Ami, it was my decision to keep his child from him. I should’ve known he would love being a father, and I did not.” This conversation was dragging her heart into her stomach. She couldn’t keep going back to this.
Ami pointed a chocolate-covered finger at Maya and spoke through a mouthful of cookie. “You need to start dating again.” It was nearly closing time, and only a few customers remained. Ami leaned on the counter by the register and licked the chocolate from her finger.
Maya delivered her best eye roll and continued to box up Ami’s treats. This was an old discussion and she was tired of it. Evasion was in order. “How do you eat like that and stay so thin?” Maya asked.
“Don’t change the subject,” Ami said. “It wouldn’t kill you to consider—”
“Hey, Maya! How’s it going?” The door chime and a friendly male voice interrupted their conversation. Maya and Ami turned to see who had entered.
“Well, well, well. What have we got here?” Ami positively purred, just loud enough for Maya to hear.
Maya turned deliberately from Ami to the customer. “Hey, Leo. Doing well, thanks.” She smiled. “Large house coffee and three extra special chocolate chip cookies?”
Leo winked at Maya. “You know me so well.” His gaze lingered on her, causing her to flush and break eye contact. She turned to fill his coffee and pack the cookies, then took the package to the register.
“Well, you make it easy. Same order every time.”
