Page 61 of HEARTSTORM

The following days passed quietly.

The New York recruiters said they'd let us know their decision in a few days.

But honestly, I didn't even think about it anymore.

Things were back to normal, and everything was settling into that easy, familiar rhythm.

The sun was shining brightly on the terrace where Maya and I were having brunch, with avocado toasts, pancakes, honey, and fruit.

"Okay, but seriously," Maya said, licking a bit of honey off her finger, "How I Met Your Mother is objectively better than Friends."

I snorted. "Nine seasons just to give us that ending. Friends gave us ten years of comfort."

Maya scoffed. "More like boooring."

I gasped, nudging her. "Don't you dare."

She pointed a pancake at me. "Or what, huh?" she teased.

I was about to say something to defend my position, but that's when my phone buzzed on the table.

The screen showed an Unknown Number.

"I'll answer this one first, then we'll discuss," I said, picking up my phone and giving her a glare.

"Can't wait," Maya teased, her brow raising as I got up from the chair.

I rolled my eyes with a grin and held the phone to my ear. "Hello?"

"Is this Grace Hart?" a professional voice asked.

"Yes, speaking."

"This is the museum in New York." There was a pause, and my heart literally halted. "We're calling to officially offer you the position you were selected for."

My breath caught, and for a second, everything froze. I just stood there, struggling to catch every word.

"We'd love to have you on board starting this fall," he continued when I remained silent.

I took a slow, deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. Think. Focus. Don't lose it now. Not in front of them, at least.

"Thank you so much," I said, swallowing hard. "I really appreciate the opportunity—and your trust."

I didn't know what the hell was happening, but I fought to keep my voice steady.

"We understand it's a big decision, so we'll send you all the details via email. You'll have three weeks to decide."

"Perfect," I said.

Not at all.

"We look forward to hearing from you. Have a great day."

"You too," I whispered before ending the call.

I slowly lowered the phone, my fingers tightening around it. The ground felt like it had shifted beneath me. A chill ran through my body—this was happening. This was real.

"Grace," Maya reached for my arm, but I flinched without meaning to. "What happened?"

I slowly turned toward her, meeting her eyes. "They... hired me. New York."

Maya blinked, then broke into the warmest smile. "Grace... that's—God, that's amazing," she said, pulling me into a hug before I could even react. "You did it!"

Her arms were strong around me, grounding. I wanted to feel excited—truly, I did—but my body stayed tense and stiff against hers.

"My god... this is... this too much," I whispered against her shoulder.

She pulled back slightly, her hands still holding my arms. "It is, but—"

"This is fucking huge," I muttered under my breath.

I stepped back from her hug, and started pacing back and forth across the terrace—my body had already decided to panic.

"Let's just take some time, okay?" Maya said calmly.

I tried to focus on her calm voice, but my mind kept spiraling, drifting anywhere but here.

"Time," I whispered, almost to myself. "Yeah... time."

Maya stared at me, like she was trying to figure out why I wasn't smiling. Why I didn't match her energy.

"You need to stop doubting yourself, Grace," she said softly but firmly.

I hugged myself tight, arms wrapped around my stomach. Maya reached out, her fingers brushing my arm, gently pulling my hands away.

"You're overthinking it," she said.

"I'm processing it, Maya," I corrected her.

"I know," she said quickly. "I just want to help you, Grace. You have this habit of freezing up when things get real. I don't want you to do that now."

"So what, you think I'm about to screw this up?" I snapped, my chest tightening.

Why do I suddenly feel like I can't trust myself or the words I'm about to say?

"No," Maya said, stepping closer. "I think you're scared. And I get that. But this is something you've always wanted, right?"

"Just because I wanted it doesn't mean I'm ready," I murmured.

Maya exhaled slowly. "Why aren't you ready, Grace?"

"Because..." I trailed off. Her eyes stayed locked on mine, calm and unwavering, even as I tried to look away.

I didn't even know how to explain it—the ache in my chest, the weight in my gut, the way everything suddenly felt too real, overwhelming.

"Because it's not the moment—" I forced out. "It's not the right moment."

"Grace," Maya said. "You'll never get anywhere if you keep waiting for the 'right' moment."

Her voice was soft, but there was a firm edge that pushed me toward something I still wasn't ready for.

"That's easy for you to say," I murmured, swallowing the sting. "You just... jump."

Her expression tightened slightly. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You don't overthink. You just go. But that's not me, Maya," my voice trembled, small and rougher than I intended.

Her mouth twitched into the start of a frown, showing she was frustrated with my words.

"I don't want you to be different, Grace," she emphasized. "I'm just saying you're ready, even if you're scared."

"I still need time," I burst out, tears threatening to fall, but I forced them back. "It feels like you're pushing me."

"Because I know you're fucking better than this!" Maya snapped, her eyes fierce with a mix of exasperation and concern that made my chest ache.

She stepped closer, and suddenly I was frozen. My brain hit pause, my heart pounding.

"Grace. It's everything you've worked for," Maya said, firm but pleading, her tone leaving no room for discussion.

"I know, Maya, but—"

"No," she cut in. "No buts."

Her demand echoed in my mind, but I couldn't just shake my doubts, not simply because she expected me to.

Silence.

"I—I didn't mean that," she said quickly. "I just... I want you to see how much you deserve it, Grace." Her voice softened.

But my mind had already scattered, every thought consumed by what this could mean for us.

"Jesus—" I muttered. "I'm tired of everyone deciding for me, like my choice doesn't matter."

Maya took a step toward me. I stepped back. "I would never ignore your decision, Grace," she said.

"It feels like you already did," I said flatly.

Her eyes darkened, her body stiffening, her shoulders suddenly sank. "It feels like won't let me be part of your decision."

My stomach sank at her words.

"That's not true, Maya," I managed to say. "This not how this works between us," I added, my voice dropping defensively.

The silence that followed was heavy, full of unspoken words. We held each other's gaze, but it was unbearable.

So fucking raw and hurt that I had to look away.

I started walking, fast, needing space, air—anything.

"Grace," Maya called out, her footsteps behind me.

"Don't follow me," I said, my voice tight and unsteady.

She kept chasing after me, refusing to stop. "We're not ending it like this."

I spun around, firmer this time. "I said, don't follow me."

Maya froze mid-step, her eyes flickering, a faint glisten in them. She swallowed and stayed still.

I turned around again, biting back my tears, no longer hearing her footsteps behind me.

I rushed into the house, and I knew I was doing the exact same thing she was trying to stop me from doing: running away from myself.

"What's going on?" Nelly asked, watching me rush up the stairs.

"Ask Maya," I said too quickly.

Nelly stayed quiet as I bolted up the stairs, chest tightening. Halfway up, my steps faltered.

"Sorry, Nelly... I'm just... really confused."

I sank down on the stairs, my body giving in to exhaustion, shoulders slumping and legs trembling beneath me.

Nelly came closer and sat down beside me, her hand resting gently on my shoulder. "Tell me, Grace... what happened?"

I poured everything out, words tumbling over each other. Nelly listened quietly, nodding as if she could feel every bit of what I was saying. Then, unexpectedly, she smiled.

"All I can see are two stubborn souls, neither willing to give in, both afraid of losing more than just the argument," she said.

I tilted my head. "Go on," I murmured.

Nelly didn't waste time. "Look, I'm not saying Maya gets to decide for you. She can't. But you also need to let her in, Grace."

I nodded slowly, understanding exactly what she meant.

"She's not trying to make your fear worse," Nelly continued. "She might not fully understand it, but she's trying to meet you where you are."

I blinked, my chest tightening as her words sank in deeply.

"And she's not being selfish," Nelly added, softer this time. "If she were, she would've begged you to stay. But she didn't. Maya told you to go because she wants what's best for you."

She told me to go. Not because she didn't care—God, no—but because she did. Because she knew how much it meant to me. Because she wanted me to choose, even if it meant risking us.

Because the truth was... I was scared of losing us.

"Thank you, Nelly," I said, standing up quickly. "I'm going to talk to Maya now."

Nelly nodded, her eyes following me as I headed back to the terrace.

I found Maya standing there, her hands tight around the railing as she stared out at the city lights.

The horizon's glow made her silhouette look small—more fragile than she let on.

I could see the tension in her shoulders, how she kept wiping a stray strand of hair from her face like it might steady her.

I walked toward her, letting my steps be heard. She didn't look back, but I knew she felt me there.

"Hey," I whispered.

She didn't reply.

I tilted my head, my expression softening as I watched her stubborn face fixed on the horizon.

I reached out and softly placed my hand on hers. She didn't pull away.

"It's our decision, Maya," I said.

She exhaled slowly, imperceptibly.

"I never wanted to make this decision alone," I added. "You're part of every choice I make, Maya."

She tightened her jaw but still didn't meet my eyes. "I never wanted to push you, Grace."

"You didn't," I said softly. "I was just scared—scared for myself." I dropped my gaze. "But even more for us," I finally admitted. "I kept repeating in my head, what will happen to us?"

Maya turned to face me. "I'll follow you to the ends of the earth, Grace."

I smiled, leaning in closer as she placed her hand on my waist.

"I'd move from Florida to New York in a heartbeat for you," she said, eyes locking on mine.

I took a breath, letting the honesty in her words settle in.

"What about college? And working with your father?" I asked.

"I can transfer colleges anytime. And didn't I mention our Russell hotel in New York?" she smirked. "I can work there."

I closed the distance, pulling her into a tight embrace. "You make everything feel less scary."

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"No," I shook my head against her shoulder. "I'm the one who should apologize."

Maya lifted my chin and kissed me deeply, making us forget everything we had argued about. Her lips were warm and urgent, pressing against mine with a mix of ache and longing.

A tear escaped my eye, and she wiped it away. "They give me three weeks to decide," I said. "Let's take this time—figure things out together."

She smiled, her fingers tracing gentle patterns on my cheek. "Of course. No pressure. Just you and me."

I tightened my grip around her neck. "I trust you more than anything, Maya. I won't ever doubt us again."

"You don't have to," she said. "I'd never let anything come between us, not even the distance."

We stayed like that for endless minutes, bodies pressed together, breathing slowly, heartbeats in sync, until another call interrupted us.

I grabbed my phone and stared at the screen.

Martha.

I met Maya's unwavering gaze.

"Didn't know you had her number," she said, her tone teasingly annoyed.

I smirked. "Only for job reasons, baby."

"Answer," she said, staring at the phone. "And put it on speaker."

I didn't hesitate to follow her instructions.

"Hello?" I said.

"Grace, how are you?" Martha said quickly.

"Uh, good, thanks," I said awkwardly, it was the first time she'd ever called me.

Maya cleared her throat—just loud enough to make a point.

"I'm with my girlfriend," I added, rolling my eyes.

"Okay..." Martha said, ignoring that information. "They called me from NY!"

I paused. "Oh? What did they say?" I asked calmly. I didn't want to give anything away before she could.

"They hired me, Grace!" she exclaimed.

I heard Maya let out a huff beside me.

"They offered me another position in a different department, but still in NY!"

Maya giggled under her breath, her expression softening despite the lingering annoyance.

"Congratulations, Martha. You deserve it," I said.

Maya nuzzled her face into my shoulder as I gently squeezed her arm.

"So, they didn't call you?" Martha asked with interest.

"They actually called me," I said. "I got hired for the original position."

"Oh, God!" Martha exclaimed a little too loudly. "I'm so excited for us, Grace! Just imagine—we'll be living in NY, it's gonna be so—"

Maya cut her off. "That sounds just lovely, Martha. I can't wait to see myself there. Grace and I have already been picturing New York together."

I shot her a satisfied look, feeling the barely hidden possessiveness in her voice.

Martha hesitated on the other end.

"Of course... Maya," she muttered, her tone much less excited than before.

"Alright..." I said, kissing Maya's neck. "I have to go now. Congratulations again, Martha."

"Yeah, you too, Grace," she mumbled.

"What a sweet coincidence, really," Maya said, barely a second before I ended the call.

"It's our New York, not hers," I said with a smile.

"It is, baby," Maya replied.

She closed the distance between us in a swift move, her mouth crashing against mine. I let out a throaty sound, and she swallowed it down as my fingers traced her back. Her breath was hot and ragged against my lips.

"Do you wanna go upstairs?" she whispered, eyes fixed on mine.

"Yes," I breathed out.

She was walking me backward now, her lips softening, her movements steady and determined as we walked out of the terrace.

The heat between us grew intense as we practically stumbled upstairs, caught up in the rush of it.

"Did you two make up?" Nelly asked, spotting us at the top of the stairs.

"Almost, Nelly," Maya said flatly, not letting me understand what she meant.

Once we were in her room, she locked the door behind her as I innocently walked toward the bed, sitting down.

"Do you want to make up with me?" I asked purposefully. "Or should I make up with you?"

"Make up?" Her lips twitched into a satisfied smirk. "Maybe I want to rewrite the rules, Grace."

She walked slowly toward me, her eyes locking onto mine with a heat that made my skin tingle.

"What rules, baby?" I smirked.

"Fuck, Grace," she said, half-demanding, half-pleading. "Do you have any idea how much you drive me crazy?"

"Show me," I whispered boldly.

Maya's lips curled into something between a warning and a promise. She climbed onto the bed, straddling me with ease as my whole body leaned deeply into hers.

"No interruptions this time," she murmured, her fingers tangling in my hair, her mouth a breath away from mine.

"Prove it," I dared to say.

Her lips met mine with a hunger that stole every fuckling thought from my head.

I let out a breathless sound as her hands slid under my shirt, massaging my sensitive breast. My fingers dug into her back, pulling her closer, needing more—all of her.

She leaned back just enough to pull her t-shirt over her head, revealing smooth skin and a red bra that made me momentarily forget how to breathe.

She caught my gaze, dark and knowing. "Like what you see?"

I nodded, completely mesmerized.

"Good," she whispered.

Her fingers slid down to the hem of my shirt, but she didn't dare go further. "Your turn."

She sank back onto her knees, giving me space. I peeled off my t-shirt, my heart pounding under her attentive gaze.

Maya's hands moved to my waist, gently tugging at the edge of my jeans. "May I?"

"Yes," I breathed.

I leaned back, letting her slide them off slowly, her gaze locked on mine the entire time.

Once undressed, she crawled up to me, her lips brushing my ear. "You're perfect," she whispered. "Now lay down for me."

I immediately follow her instructions.

Maya settled over me, her body pressing down on mine, heat radiating from every inch.

"Tell me if it's too much," she murmured.

"It's not," I whispered. "It's not enough."

"Let's fix that," she grinned, peeling off her bra and panties with teasing movements.

Her hands paused gently above my lingerie. I gave her a nod, and she slowly removed everything, leaving me shivering under her gaze.

"Wonderful," she said, "all mine."

Maya's lips traced my neck up to my ear. "I'm about to show you what you do to me, Grace."

Sounds exactly what I'd been craving.

"Show me," I insisted.

The look she gave me was darker than her words—pure hunger, pure promise.

She pulled back slightly—only to perfectly align her core with mine.

It immediately sent shivers down my spine.

She started grinding against me—slow and soft at first, then shifting into a teasing rhythm meant to drive me crazy.

My breath hitched as a warm tingling rush spread through me—everything was electric.

Her hands gripped my sides, nails softly digging into my skin, grounding me to her.

"Maya," I gasped, her name slipping like a prayer.

"You feel that?" she murmured, her lips brushing my jaw.

"Shit—" I moaned, caught between wanting more and losing control. "Don't tease me, baby."

A satisfied hum left her throat. "This is what you make me feel, Grace."

I was about to release my arms from her neck in a moment of surrender, but Maya pulled them back, continuing her teasing game.

"I'm losing it here," I moaned, craving more of her.

"What's the word?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Please—" I whined. "Go faster, Maya," her name left my mouth like a desperate plea.

She finally followed my instructions, quickening her pace as she propped herself slightly on her arms, grinding her body against mine.

Every inch of her was pressed against me—it made me dizzy, breathless, completely undone under her touch.

I was right there—overwhelmed and moaning unapologetically—when Maya stopped.

I could barely react before she suddenly rolled onto the bed and gripped my waist, flipping us over—suddenly I was on top.

"What are you doing?" I asked hesitantly, unsure of myself and this sudden control I had.

"Trust me, Grace," Maya said, her eyes burning into mine, her voice low and certain. "You'll love it. I promise."

"But—I don't how to, and—"

"I'll do it for you. Just match my pace." She gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "And if you don't feel comfortable, just tell me, okay?"

"O-okay," I nodded, trusting her words.

Maya started grinding beneath me, slow but steady, letting me get comfortable in this new position.

"How do you feel?" she asked, eyes never leaving mine.

Her body was beautiful beneath me, arching slightly as her breath hitched with each movement of our bodies.

"Good," I moaned. "Please... keep going."

Maya's lips parted in a soft smile, her hands guiding my hips to match her rhythm.

"Good girl," she murmured, her voice pleased. "Just like that."

I leaned forward deeply, our breasts brushing, the heat between us intensifying. Every slow grind, every sound escaping her lips made my body pound harder.

"You're doing so good, baby," Maya murmured, her fingers tightening around my waist.

And then I started moving faster on my own, almost losing control to the pleasure. Maya gasped softly, eyes widening, her body trembling beneath me as she instinctively matched my pace.

"Fuck—oh, God," I groaned.

"Grace," Maya moaned, voice trembling, every muscle in her body tightening under me.

I held her close, feeling her shudder as she reached her peak. Her soft moans echoed in my ear, fueling my own overwhelming release.

I collapsed against her body, breathless, forehead resting on her chest as she held me close.

"I loved it," I breathed out.

"I loved giving it to you," Maya whispered.

I let myself release it all, shutting my eyes and surrendering, feeling completely at home in her arms.

Home is wherever Maya is—Florida, New York... it doesn't even matter.