Maya sat cross-legged in the middle of her bed, staring at absolutely nothing.
A smile tugged at her lips.
Then widened.
Then widened even more.
She pressed both hands against her face.
It didn't help.
The smile remained.
Her cheeks actually hurt.
And somehow that only made her happier.
The bedroom was flooded with soft late-morning sunlight. Golden rays spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the cream-colored walls and casting warm patterns across the hardwood floors. Beyond the glass, Manhattan stretched endlessly beneath a cloudless sky.
Usually, Maya loved quiet mornings.
Usually, she would be reading.
Working.
Planning.
Doing literally anything productive.
Today she was sitting in the middle of her bed smiling like an idiot.
Because Rege had kissed his thumb.
And somehow kissed her through it.
Maya groaned and immediately buried her face in a pillow.
"Oh my God."
The words came out muffled.
Half horrified.
Half delighted.
She rolled onto her back.
Then onto her side.
Then onto her stomach again.
Nothing helped.
Every time she closed her eyes she saw aquamarine eyes.
Every time she touched her lips she remembered exactly how he had looked at her inside that elevator.
The memory sent another wave of heat rushing up her neck.
"No."
She sat upright immediately.
"No."
Absolutely not.
She needed another human being.
Immediately.
Someone sensible.
Someone rational.
Someone who knew her well enough to tell her she was losing her mind.
Without another thought, she grabbed her phone from the pocket of the shorts she was wearing.
Maya pulled her knees against her chest and quickly dialed Adela's number.
The call was answered on the second ring.
"Maya?"
"You won't believe what happened."
The words burst out before Adela could even finish greeting her.
Adela immediately laughed.
The sound was warm and familiar.
"What has made you so excited?"
Maya pressed her lips together.
Trying and failing to stop herself from smiling.
"Nothing really..."
Adela snorted.
"Maya."
"Okay, maybe something."
"That's more like it."
Maya laughed softly.
"Rege came by yesterday morning..."
She trailed off.
Adela immediately groaned dramatically.
"It's been long overdue."
Maya rolled onto her side.
Her smile widened.
"So what happened?"
The enthusiasm in Adela's voice made Maya laugh again.
"A lot happened."
"A lot?"
"A lot."
"Maya."
"Okay, okay."
Maya adjusted herself against the pillows and stared at the ceiling.
The memory immediately replayed itself.
The rooftop.
The lights.
The roses.
The camping tent.
Rege.
Always Rege.
"So..." Maya began slowly, trying to figure out where to start.
"Rege asked me out on a date."
Adela gasped.
"A real date?"
"A real date."
"Maya!"
Maya covered her face.
"Can you let me finish?"
"No."
"Adela."
"Fine."
Maya smiled helplessly.
"We went upstairs and I found out there's actually a rooftop in this building."
"There is?"
"Apparently."
"And it gets worse."
"Worse?"
"He somehow has exclusive access to it."
Adela laughed.
"Of course he does."
Maya shook her head.
"I swear, sometimes I think he owns half of Manhattan."
"Probably does."
Maya giggled.
Then her expression softened.
"You should have seen it, Adela."
Her voice lowered unconsciously.
"It was beautiful."
"What did he do?"
Maya stared at the sunlight filtering through her bedroom curtains.
Trying to find words that felt adequate.
None did.
"The rooftop was filled with almost everything I've ever mentioned liking."
Adela fell silent.
Maya continued quietly.
"There were lights everywhere."
"Flowers."
"A camping tent."
"Red roses."
"My favorite desserts."
"My favorite music."
"My favorite coffee."
"My favorite blankets."
"My favorite..."
She laughed softly.
"Honestly, I stopped counting."
For a moment she simply smiled.
Remembering.
"The strange part is that none of it felt excessive."
"It should have."
"But it didn't."
"It felt..."
She searched for the right word.
Thoughtful.
Personal.
Intentional.
Like he'd listened.
Like every insignificant thing she'd ever mentioned mattered.
"It felt soft."
Adela was silent for a moment.
Then she said quietly,
"Oh."
Maya smiled.
"Exactly."
"And I don't know how he did it, but somehow the entire rooftop felt safe."
The confession slipped out before she could stop it.
Neither woman spoke for a second.
Then Maya quickly continued.
"Anyway, that's not even the important part."
Adela immediately sat up straighter on the other end.
"There's more?"
"There is."
"Maya."
"His mother invited me to dinner."
Silence.
A full three seconds of silence.
Then—
"WHAT?"
Maya burst into laughter.
"What do you mean WHAT?"
"Maya."
"Maya."
"You're meeting the parents already?"
Maya laughed harder.
"I guess so."
"What did I miss these past few days?"
Maya buried her face in a pillow.
"I don't know."
"No."
Adela laughed.
"I leave you alone for five minutes and suddenly you're meeting the family."
Maya giggled.
Actually giggled.
The sound escaped before she could stop it.
Adela immediately caught it.
"My goodness."
Maya froze.
"Oh no."
"My goodness."
"Adela."
"You are giggling."
Maya groaned.
"You are glowing."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm really not."
"You are."
Maya covered her face.
Heat immediately spread across her cheeks.
Adela sounded delighted.
"When was the last time you giggled like that?"
Maya opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
She honestly couldn't remember.
Adela laughed softly.
"I can practically see you smiling from here."
Maya's smile only widened.
Traitorously.
Uncontrollably.
Completely beyond her control.
And unfortunately—
there was more.
A lot more.
The problem was that she wasn't sure how to explain it.
Because she still wasn't entirely sure what had happened herself.
Maya bit her lower lip.
Then whispered,
"Well..."
Adela immediately became suspicious.
"What?"
"A few minutes ago..."
"What?"
"In the elevator..."
"What happened in the elevator?"
Maya covered her face with both hands.
"He kissed me."
Silence.
Then—
A loud gasp.
"So that's why you're glowing."
Maya groaned.
"Adela."
"You kissed?"
Maya nodded instinctively before remembering Adela couldn't see her.
"Sort of."
"Sort of?"
"Yes."
"Maya, that isn't how kissing works."
"It wasn't technically a kiss."
Adela sounded deeply unconvinced.
Maya sat up straighter.
Trying desperately to defend herself.
"His thumb was between his lips and mine."
Silence.
Then louder laughter.
Much louder.
"Oh dear."
Maya immediately hid her face in her knees.
"Oh dear."
"Stop saying that."
"You are a goner."
Maya groaned dramatically.
"Adela."
"You are absolutely finished."
Maya's face burned.
Because the worst part?
Adela was probably right.
She couldn't stop smiling.
She couldn't stop replaying it.
She couldn't stop thinking about him.
Her cheeks genuinely hurt.
Which was ridiculous.
Completely ridiculous.
Yet somehow true.
Maya sighed.
"I can't stop smiling."
Adela immediately laughed again.
"My cheeks hurt."
The laughter became even worse.
"And I still need to find a dress for tonight."
At that, Adela finally composed herself.
Somewhat.
"Maya."
"What?"
"You have plenty of dresses."
Maya opened her mouth.
Adela immediately cut her off.
"No."
"But—"
"No."
"Adela."
"No."
Maya laughed.
"You are not entering Maya panic mode."
"That's not a thing."
"It absolutely is."
Maya groaned.
"It is not."
"It is."
"It isn't."
Adela ignored her.
"Just wear something."
"It's not that simple."
"It is."
Maya sighed dramatically.
"I'm meeting his family."
"And?"
"And what if they hate me?"
"They won't."
"What if—"
"They won't."
Maya opened her mouth again.
Adela immediately interrupted.
"Besides, it's not like his family is the Hastings family or anything."
That made Maya laugh immediately.
A genuine laugh.
Warm.
Easy.
The tension that had been sitting heavily on her shoulders loosened slightly.
"Just wear anything, Maya."
Adela's voice softened.
"You're always beautiful."
The compliment warmed her more than she wanted to admit.
A smile appeared on her face.
"Thanks, Adela."
"You'll be fine."
For the first time since receiving the dinner invitation, Maya almost believed it.
The conversation settled into a comfortable silence.
The kind that only existed between people who knew each other completely.
Eventually Maya glanced at the clock.
"We'll talk later."
"Of course."
"Wish me luck."
"You don't need luck."
Maya laughed.
"I definitely need luck."
Adela chuckled.
"Okay, dearest. Have fun and be yourself."
Then she added lightly,
"After all, they aren't the Hastings family."
A grin immediately spread across Maya's face.
"Or the Lannisters."
Both women laughed.
"Bye, Maya."
"Bye, Adela."
The call ended.
The room fell quiet.
Maya slowly lowered her phone.
The silence felt different now.
Lighter.
Softer.
She lay back against the mattress and stared at the ceiling.
The smile remained.
Unwilling to leave.
For once, she didn't try to hide it.
She closed her eyes.
And immediately saw aquamarine eyes looking back at her.
Her smile widened.
Again.
God.
She was in trouble.
Nearly two hours later, Maya finally emerged from her bedroom.
The emotional chaos that had sent her running upstairs earlier had settled into something softer.
Not calmer.
Just softer.
The blush had faded from her cheeks.
Mostly.
Though every now and then the memory of the elevator returned without warning and reignited the warmth all over again.
She was still wearing Rege's clothes.
The oversized navy sweatshirt hung loosely over her frame while the shorts sat comfortably on her hips. His scent lingered faintly in the fabric, making it far more difficult than necessary to think rationally.
Not that rational thinking had been particularly successful today.
The penthouse was quiet when she descended the staircase.
Warm afternoon sunlight filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse, painting the living room in shades of gold.
Cassie sat curled comfortably on the sofa with a cup of tea resting on the coffee table nearby.
She looked up immediately when Maya appeared.
A knowing smile instantly appeared on her face.
Maya groaned.
"Oh no."
Cassie's smile widened.
"Oh yes."
Maya laughed despite herself and crossed the room.
"I am so sorry about earlier."
Cassie blinked.
"What for?"
Maya dropped onto the sofa beside her.
"I practically ignored you."
"You did."
Maya buried her face briefly in her hands.
"I just needed to get to my room really fast."
Cassie laughed.
"I noticed."
Maya immediately felt her face warm again.
"You don't have to apologize."
Cassie's voice softened.
"I completely understand."
Unfortunately that only made Maya more embarrassed.
Cassie's eyes slowly traveled over her outfit.
Or rather—
over Rege's outfit.
One eyebrow lifted.
Maya immediately knew what was coming.
"Where are your clothes?"
There it was.
Maya smiled far too quickly.
Far too widely.
A smile she couldn't seem to control anymore whenever Rege became the topic of conversation.
"I left them at Rege's place."
Cassie's eyebrow climbed even higher.
Maya immediately looked away.
"I'll go get them later."
The explanation sounded suspiciously unconvincing.
Cassie didn't comment.
She simply smiled knowingly.
Which was somehow worse.
Much worse.
Maya decided changing the subject was the better option.
Quickly.
"Actually..."
Cassie waited.
Maya tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
A nervous habit that had become increasingly frequent lately.
"Rege's mother invited me over for dinner tonight."
Cassie's eyes widened.
"Oh?"
Maya immediately groaned.
"Please don't."
Cassie laughed.
"I'm not saying anything."
"You're thinking plenty."
"I absolutely am."
Maya threw a decorative cushion at her.
Cassie caught it easily.
Still laughing.
"I need your help choosing a dress."
That immediately shifted Cassie's attention.
"Now that I can help with."
Relief appeared on Maya's face.
"Thank goodness."
Cassie smiled warmly.
"Of course I'll help."
Maya smiled back.
The nervousness she'd been trying to ignore all morning resurfaced briefly.
Dinner.
Meeting his family.
Meeting his mother.
The realization still felt surreal.
Before either woman could continue the discussion, the doorbell rang.
Both of them looked toward the entrance.
Maya stood immediately.
"I'll get it."
Cassie made a face.
"You don't have to run."
"I know."
Yet she was already halfway there.
Cassie laughed behind her.
Maya opened the front door.
And blinked.
James stood on the other side holding what appeared to be a gigantic black box.
A grin spread across his face immediately.
"Miss Maya."
His smile widened.
"Good afternoon."
Maya stared at the enormous box.
Then at James.
Then back at the box.
"A delivery for you."
"A delivery?"
James nodded.
The box looked expensive.
Very expensive.
The kind of expensive that immediately made Maya suspicious.
Slowly she reached out.
Attempting to take it.
The moment she touched it, James politely stepped backward.
"I was instructed to deliver it directly to your room."
Maya's eyebrows rose.
"Directly?"
"Directly."
Now she was definitely suspicious.
Cassie appeared behind her.
Her eyes immediately widened.
"Oh."
That single word contained entirely too much amusement.
Maya sighed.
She already knew who had sent it.
She just didn't know why.
"Come in."
James stepped inside.
Maya led the way upstairs.
James followed carrying the box effortlessly.
Cassie followed both of them.
Looking entirely too entertained by the situation.
They entered Maya's bedroom.
James carefully placed the large box on the sofa positioned near the foot of her bed.
Only then did Maya notice the small cream envelope resting on top.
Her heartbeat immediately stumbled.
James straightened.
"I will take my leave, Miss—"
"Just Maya."
The correction came automatically.
James smiled.
A genuine smile.
"I will take my leave now, Maya."
She nodded distractedly.
Her attention remained fixed on the envelope.
James quietly exited the room.
Cassie followed him downstairs.
Giving Maya privacy.
Though not before shooting her a look that promised questions later.
The moment the door closed behind them, Maya moved toward the box.
Slowly.
Curiously.
Almost cautiously.
Her fingers reached for the envelope.
The paper felt expensive.
Everything around Rege seemed expensive.
She opened it carefully.
Then removed the card inside.
The moment she recognized the handwriting, her stomach flipped.
Elegant.
Precise.
Unmistakably his.
Only a few words were written.
'I will see you at 1pm, Krasota.'
Maya stared.
Then stared some more.
Then smiled.
A ridiculous smile.
A completely hopeless smile.
The kind that should have embarrassed her.
Instead it only widened.
The box itself remained unopened.
She had absolutely no idea what was inside.
Yet somehow that didn't matter.
Not yet.
Because her attention remained fixed on the note.
On the nickname.
On the fact that he had sent something at all.
On the fact that he had thought about her.
Again.
Always again.
She pressed the card against her chest.
Still smiling.
Still completely incapable of stopping.
Adela's voice echoed in her memory.
You're a goner.
Maya had laughed when she said it.
Now she wasn't so sure.
Because standing there in the middle of her room, smiling at a handwritten note like it contained the secrets of the universe, she finally acknowledged a truth she had spent weeks avoiding.
She was already in too deep.
Far deeper than she had intended.
Far deeper than she should have allowed herself to go.
The frightening part wasn't the realization itself.
It was what came afterward.
Because instead of wanting to pull away—
instead of wanting to protect herself—
instead of wanting to run—
she found herself smiling.
Welcoming it.
Wanting more.
And that terrified her almost as much as it made her happy.