Chapter 26
Josh
The moment that will determine my future is right in front of me. Four days have passed since the surgery, and my hand feels good. Not once has it trembled. There's no uncertainty in its movement or a feeling of my muscles tightening.
As so often lately, I look down at my hand where it lies calmly on my thigh. I lift each finger individually. Everything works. Surely, the follow-up examination, for which I am once again at the clinic today, will go well.
"What's taking so long here?" Tamika paces back and forth in the waiting room. Her stylish outfit fits perfectly with the elegantly designed space adorned with tall green plants.
I raise my hand in reassurance. "We still have time."
Her gaze flicks to her wristwatch. "Our flight is in three hours."
Why did she schedule the appointments so tightly? "I'm sure we'll make it," I say because anything else would lead nowhere.
Besides, that's not important to me. My world spins differently since Maya looked at me with that longing gaze in the garden in front of the red wooden house two days ago. From the corner of my eye, I observe her and Sophia building a castle out of building blocks inthe play area of the waiting room. They radiate so much joy.
Tamika snorts with exertion. "I'll ask when the doctors will finally deign to make time for you." With these words, she whirls around, and a moment later, the sweet scent of her perfume is the only reminder of her presence. Time is limited. Tamika won't be gone for long, and on the way back to Vienna, Maya and I won't have a chance to be alone either. Once we're home, her work hours will be over.
If I want to find out what she thinks about us, it has to be now. I rise from my chair and walk over to the play area.
Once I arrive, I sink to my knees. "The castle looks mighty impressive."
Sophia giggles. "That's not a castle, Daddy." With concentration, she places another block on the structure that is as colorful as Maya's skirt. "It's a princess castle."
I try to catch Maya's gaze, but she keeps her eyes lowered. "Do you have a room for me in your palace?" I ask my daughter to keep the conversation going.
She puts her index finger on her chin in thought. "But are you a princess?" On cue, Maya and Sophia burst into laughter simultaneously.
This started well, but now it's going downhill. "Of course," I say, making a feeble attempt to salvage the situation. And it goes awry. The two of them only laugh louder. Maya holds her stomach as if her muscles are already cramping.
It wasn't planned like this, but I can't let it deter me from my mission. I reach out my hand to Maya. "Can we talk for a moment?"
As soon as I touch her arm, she shyly looks up at me with her dark eyes. "About what?"
"Come with me." I push myself up from the floor. "Would your highness excuse us for a moment?" I ask my daughter, performing a submissive gesture.
She mimics me. "But only for a short while."
"Okay." Maya stands up hesitantly and adjusts her skirt. "I'll be right back."
Without looking at me, she strolls beside me to the other end of the waiting room. When we come to a stop, I notice how her chest rises and falls too quickly.
"Are you okay?" I ask, gently touching her arm.
Her eyelids flutter. It's only for a fraction of a second that she allows me to see into her eyes. It's as if she's afraid to look at me. "I'm fine."
Suddenly, I have a queasy feeling in my stomach. What if she regrets the kiss? "We haven't had a chance to talk since..." My voice loses its strength. I have to clear my throat several times.
Maya's legs fidget. "Is there anything to talk about?"
I take a step back. She can't be serious, can she? It's impossible that only I feel this magic between us. We need to give it a chance to unfold and see what happens. That's what I would like to tell her, and so much more, but I can't find the right words.
Her uncertain gaze meets mine. "We shouldn't..." In the next moment, she presses her lips together as if holding back certain words she doesn't want to say to me.
I shake my head. Even if it might be wrong, I close the distance between us. Breathing heavily, she remains right where she is until I stand directly in front of her. "What shouldn't we do?"
There's no reaction from her. But where my breath grazes her skin, goose bumps appear.
