Page 37

The morning light slipped through the curtains and touched my face, softly reminding me that everything had changed.

I wasn't running. I was staying—really staying. In Florida. With her.

That thought alone was enough—it was what I wanted—but something else stirred in me too: a small determination.

I had to start building something. I couldn't just drift anymore. I needed to change too. I wanted to.

I smiled faintly to myself and pushed the blankets away. I took a warm shower, brushed my hair, and slipped into jeans and a comfy T-shirt.

I opened the door, wondering if Maya was already awake. Unlike me, she seemed like a...

"You're not a morning person, aren't you, Ohio?"

The familiar fluttering in my chest was unmistakable as I looked at her.

Maya leaned on the staircase railing, arms bent with her elbows resting casually.

"Hi..." I mumbled, feeling my cheeks heat up.

"I brought you a smoothie. I noticed you're not as into coffee as I am," she said, walking toward me and holding it out.

"Thank you so much," I said, a bit stunned that she remembered these little details about me.

Our fingers brushed as I took it from her, lingering for a second too long.

Maya studied my face. "Did you sleep?"

"Yes, I did," I said, smiling. "How about you?"

She stepped closer, her fingers grazing my arm, and it was such a simple touch, but it made my skin tingle.

"Tried to," she said with a small smirk "Something kept distracting me."

I swallowed hard, my breath catching for a second. I just hummed, trying to sound casual, even though my heart was anything but.

"So... what's the plan today?" she asked, raising a teasing eyebrow.

"Come in," I said, pulling her inside my room.

I took in the sight of Maya in her cargo pants and matching crop top that barely covered her hips, her long dark hair cascading down—she looked breathtaking.

I sat down on the bed, patting the spot beside me as she joined me without hesitation.

"So..." I began, sharing what had been on my mind. "Since I'm staying here... I'll find myself a job."

She turned fully toward me. "That's good, Gracie. What kind of job?"

"Something in art, maybe an agency—like the one I worked at in Ohio..." I said, but my voice came out smaller than I intended.

Maya looked at me for a second too long. I knew she could tell I wasn't convinced.

"Is this what you really want, Grace?" she asked, leaning a bit closer.

I looked down at our hands. We were already holding each other. That felt... right.

"Well, doesn't matter," I muttered. "I'll be okay with whatever I find..."

But Maya didn't accept that.

Instead, she wrapped her arms around me and whispered, "It matters to me, Gracie." She met my eyes with a profound intensity. "You mentioned wanting to work in a museum..."

I found myself nodding before I could even think about it. She truly remembered every detail.

"But I have no idea where to start, and honestly... I don't think I'm good enough for it..." I admitted.

Her response was immediate. "You're so much more than enough, Grace," she said, meaning it. "I've seen your drawings—you're very passionate, and there's something special in you. Believe me, you just have to try."

I smiled, moved, then instinctively looked down again. I wasn't used to someone believing in me so much when I'm the one who doubts myself. It made my heart ache in the best way.

Maya gently lifted my chin, her fingers brushing against my bottom lip. It wasn't even intentional, but my breath caught.

If she keeps doing that...

"Seriously," she said, a little firmer now. "Grab your phone and let's see if any museums around here are hiring."

I hesitated. I mean, it felt sudden. But I did it anyway. Her confidence was grounding me.

Like with her, I didn't have to be afraid.

And—surprise—like a sign from the universe, a museum nearby was actually hiring someone.

"No way," I gasped, looking at my phone. "The last interview is happening today..."

"We gotta act fast," Maya said, already sounding like she had a plan. "Will you try?" she asked, giving me her best puppy eyes.

"Do-do you really think I can?" I asked, feeling a rush of doubt the second the words left my mouth.

Maya's words were full of warmth and reassurance. "Yes, Grace. Absolutely. You can do whatever you want."

I stared at her for a second, stunned by how sure she was about me. "Okay, I'll try..." I whispered. "Thank you, Maya. I wouldn't do this without you."

Her whole face brightened with a hint of mischief. "Do I get some kind of... reward for that?"

Her finger brushed my chin again—both comforting and teasing. My heart skipped a beat.

I leaned closer. "A car ride with me."

Maya raised an eyebrow like I'd said something suspicious.

"Silly, I still don't have a car. And if I want to go to this interview... I'll need you," I added, chucking. "If you want, of course..."

Her grin turned cheeky as she grabbed my waist and pulled me closer.

"A car ride, huh?"

"Yes, you heard me, Maya..." I replied, trying to sound confident.

"Alright," her voice low and quiet. "We're working on the rest later..." she teased.

"You're relentless," I said, laughing despite myself. "Now go... before I kick you out."

She made a face. "Uuh, I'm so scary!"

"Yeah, totally terrified," I said with mock seriousness, walking her to the door, though she resisted just for the drama of it. "I'll see you in a bit," I waved my hand in front of her face just to tease her.

"Jesus, you got me..." she muttered.

I didn't even think—just reached for her shoulder and turned her back around. And then I kissed her.

Meant to kiss her cheek, but she totally moved, so I ended up kissing her neck instead.

"Nice move," I muttered before I could stop myself.

Maya just grinned, her eyes sparkling like she knew exactly what she was doing.

But when she added, "You got me, remember?" and effortlessly walked away, I closed the door with the biggest smile on my face.

She had me too. Completely.

~

Even after a while, I couldn't stop thinking about the neck kiss...

And how soft and inviting her skin was...

It made me wonder... maybe when the moment's right for the real kiss, we'll just know.

I mean... every time I see Maya, it feels right, but... I imagine it being something unexpected, something magical...

While I was spiraling into every possible romantic scenario like a schoolgirl... I changed my outfit to suit the job interview I was about to have.

Museum Tour Guide: that was the position.

This could be the perfect start—even better than I ever expected. I've always wanted to work in a museum but never got the courage to even try.

Maybe I wasn't confident enough yet to say, "I'm meant for it," but Maya made me feel enough now to say, "I want to try."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the fluttering nerves in my stomach.

I wore something simple yet polished: tailored white pants, a tucked-in blouse, and a dusty pink blazer. I fixed my wavy hair and used a little white flower clip to hold back the front strands, then added just a touch of natural makeup.

The moment I opened the door... Maya was already there.

"You're going to give me a heart attack," I said seriously.

Her teasing, intrigued smile was back.

"Hm," she mumbled, eyes trailing over me. They lit up. "You look beautiful, Grace," she said warmly.

"You're stunning," I deadpan, swallowing hard.

Now she wore a sleek, black fitted jumpsuit with delicate thin straps and subtle pockets, hugging her curves perfectly.

Her body looked like a sculpted work of art.

And I'm passionate about art. I study it, breathe it, dream of it—but nothing in any gallery has ever looked like that.

"Do you remember this one, Gracie?" she asked sweetly, shifting to reveal a purse she'd been hiding in her hands.

Not just any purse.

The $300 one she bought for me that day—the one I refused to take because I didn't want her to prove anything with me.

"Uhm... yes..." I murmured.

She still has it.

I wasn't sure if I should laugh or be serious.

"It's yours," she said, slipping it onto my shoulder. "For good."

I accepted it right away, opening it to put in my resume and a few recommendation letters.

"Thanks, this will be my lucky purse," I said with a smile.

Maya smiled, touching her fingers to mine, and I couldn't stop smiling as she deliberately let her hip brush against mine.

I like how she couldn't care less about doing these things on purpose.

"Are you ready?" she asked.

I nodded a few times. "Yeah... I'm hoping so."

When we walked downstairs, her hand slid around my waist, warm as she lightly brushed it. It sent shivers down my spine.

I saw my mom in the living room, but unlike Maya, I wasn't as bold. I instinctively pulled back just a little, trying to keep things low-key.

Maya's hand slipped away, sensing I was holding back.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced myself to hide it.

My mom smiled at us, and I went in for a hug. "It's fine now. I will stay," I whispered.

She nodded like she already knew. "I'm glad, honey. But what's with this formal outfit?"

"I'll tell you when it's done, don't worry," I assured her, then said goodbye and hurried out.

I took a deep breath and turned my head toward Maya, and for a second, her expression changed.

Her lips pressed tight, her posture a little stiffer, like she was holding something back. Like she was trying not to let it show.

And I knew why.

We both knew why.

Maya didn't say anything, just walked ahead and opened the car door for me as I slipped in.

She shut the door gently behind me, and when she got in on her side, she didn't look at me right away.

"I'm sorry," I said. "For pulling away."

I wished I could take it back, but all I could do was look at her and hope she knew I didn't mean to make her feel this way.

"Don't be," she replied softly. "It's okay, this is just about you and me. That's enough."

I nodded, my hand resting on her thigh, and Maya immediately placed hers over mine.

"Are you okay now?" I asked.

"More than okay." Her face softened. "And now we have to get this done," her grin returning. "I'm sure you'll get the job," she said confidently.

My grip on her hand tightened. "Thank you for being here, Maya. It means everything to me."

"I'm here for you, Grace."

It's such a beautiful thing to hear after everything we've been through.

Maya started the engine and hit play on one of her playlists. The music filled the car, and we started singing along—off key, laughing, joking around.

We vibed to Shut Up and Dance by Walk The Moon.

Before I knew it, we were pulling up right outside the museum—and just like that, I was nervous as hell again.

"It's time, sweetheart," Maya softly whispered in my ear.

"You know, I'm not letting you go that easily," I said half-joking, but not really.

"But I'll wait for you right here," she smiled.

"Will you?"

"Of course, Grace." Her fingers brushed against my chin as she insisted on meeting my gaze. "I've already got a surprise for us once you're done here..."

I felt a flutter in my chest. Or more like in my heart.

"What kind of surprise, Maya?" I asked, curious.

"Oh, you'll see when we get there..." she said, that teasing spark back in her eyes.

"You're up to something, aren't you?" I narrowed my eyes playfully.

Maya just leaned over to open the car door and pressed a soft kiss to my neck. "You've got this, Grace. I promise you."

I got out of the car, clutching my purse like it was an anchor. Maybe it really was lucky.

~

I don't even remember what I said.

I just know that when I walked out, my hands were trembling.

I was feeling completely overwhelmed, but I was also... happy, relieved, and strangely hopeful.

It was evening now.

I looked up, and Maya was leaning against her car. She had been there the whole time, just like she promised.

"So?" she came toward me.

Before I knew it, I instinctively wrapped my arms around her neck and hugged her tightly, head resting against her chest.

"So, I think the interview went well," I said, her heartbeat steady against my cheek. "It feels right," I admitted.

She squeezed me back so tightly. "I knew you'd nail it, sweetheart," she whispered.

"They said they'll let me know in a few days..."

"So we've got time for my little surprise..." Maya raised an eyebrow and grinned as she opened the car door. "We're gonna hit up a place as your reward, Grace..."

"The reward again?" I chuckled. "God, you're such a tease..." I muttered, shaking my head.

I untucked my blouse, took off my blazer and hair clip, and adjusted my look to seem more casual and less formal.

Maya openly stared at me, but not in a way that made me feel uncomfortable—if anything, her gaze felt soft, almost mesmerized.

I felt safe under her eyes.

"Thank you for staying," I said, meaning it.

"You deserve it," she murmured, her voice low, eyes lingering on me before turning to the road.

I wondered where we might be going.

And what kind of reward lay ahead.