Page 69 of HEARTSTORM

New York moved fast.

I was sitting in the Uber, staring out the window.

Streets still crowded, people rushing, always chasing something, someone.

I didn't feel fast at all.

I felt... suspended, like I was there but not really part of it.

The house was nice and cozy. I'd unpacked everything, but it didn't feel like home yet.

Work had been... good. More than good, actually. The museum felt like the only place in the world I truly wanted to be.

For once, it felt like I was building something that was mine. And I liked this feeling—I really liked it.

But none of it erased the fact that someone was missing.

None of it filled the space she left.

I got a call from Lily before leaving home. We laughed, talked about nothing, teased James a little. Then she said she saw Maya earlier.

The moment she said her name, my heart jumped.

I asked how she was, and Lily just said, "She's okay."

It didn't sound like the whole truth. I knew Maya too well for 'okay' to be the whole story.

I didn't push. Maybe I should have. Maybe I couldn't anymore.

I got out of the Uber, pulling my jacket tighter around my shoulders. When I looked up, Martha was already waiting for me.

"Grace!" she called, hurrying over and grabbing my arm. "Good thing I talked you into coming, we really needed a night out."

I wasn't really feeling it, but Martha kept saying I was the only person she knew in New York... even though we weren't colleagues anymore.

Maybe it could be a way to make the night pass faster. Maybe it was a way not to think too much.

I just asked her to choose a quiet place, not too noisy, no loud music.

Last thing I wanted was chaos or having to pretend I was having fun.

We stopped in front of a very small door, tucked between two buildings, with no sign outside.

Martha grinned. "Welcome to a speakeasy," she said, nudging me inside. "It's like a hidden, cozy bar."

The place was dim, quiet, the kind that made you notice everyone a little too much. It smelled of wood and whiskey—warm, but... a little too close.

I sank into the seat, and Martha sat right next to me in the tight booth.

I quickly realized this speakeasy was very... intimate.

Martha leaned back and started talking, moving fast from one thing to another, rambling on about work and plans.

I nodded along, trying to look interested, twisting the straw between my fingers.

Martha leaned a little closer. "I know it's been hard for you, Grace... how are you holding up?"

I stared down at my drink. "I'm managing."

Martha's eyes scanned my face before she took a sip of her drink. "You know, I never really got how you two worked. You were just so different... no wonder she ended up choosing herself."

I looked up, frowning slightly. "I've never met anyone more like me than Maya," I said, hating the way she was talking without knowing.

All I told her was that Maya wasn't here when she asked.

And now she acts like she knows the whole story.

"And choosing herself wasn't the safest choice," I added.

Martha leaned forward. "Oh, Grace..." she murmured, her hand settling on my thigh.

She let the words hang in the air—vague and soft, in a way that felt almost inviting.

Her hand started brushing on my thigh, tracing small, teasing circles.

Her touch lingered longer than I wanted. I shifted her hand off of me.

Martha hummed, the sound abrupt and low. "You still love her, don't you?"

I froze. My chest tightened as a shiver ran through me.

Her gaze stayed fixed on me, as if daring me to admit it.

I slid out of the booth, catching her brief flinch—subtle but telling.

"I'm gonna go now, Martha. I'll see you," I said, keeping my expression neutral but calm.

"Grace..." she said, tilting her head. "Did I say something wrong?"

I shook my head, giving a small smile. "No, you didn't. It's fine."

"Are you sure you don't want to stay?" she asked, watching me too closely.

I could tell she knew something was wrong, but I wasn't in the mood to explain.

"I'm really tired," I replied. "But have fun for me," I added.

I pulled my phone from my pocket and immediately booked an Uber, deciding to wait outside.

A few drops of rain hit my face as I stepped onto the sidewalk.

A tight ache settled in my chest, the kind that makes you pause and just... feel.

My Uber arrived. I slipped in and shut the door behind me.

On the way home, my thoughts wandered back to what Martha said.

Her words hit me weird, like she was digging into parts of me she'd never get, trying to make me rethink everything.

But nobody can ever understand what Maya and I have.

Or what my feelings are.

Outside the window, the soft drizzle turned into a steady rain.

Rain felt strange to me. The moments that hit the hardest—good or bad—always came with rain.

The car was crawling along, barely moving, and then it just stopped.

I frowned, glancing at the driver. "Is something wrong?"

"Just traffic," he said. "It's really slow."

I sighed. "How far are we from my place?"

"Less than a mile," he said.

I nodded, making up my mind. "I'll walk from here," I said, opening the door.

Rain hit me instantly, soaking my hair and jacket, but it felt so much better than being stuck in the car.

Every drop seemed to wash something away, easing the tightness in my chest and letting me breathe again.

I was almost there. I could see my house from here.

Raindrops blurred my vision, but through it all, I saw... someone near my porch.

I slowed down, each step bringing me closer, heart pounding.

The figure started to take shape, until I couldn't mistake who it was anymore.

I blinked a few times, hoping it wasn't just a dream.

It was real.

Maya.

She was real.

She was standing there, completely soaked, hair plastered to her face, looking smaller in the rain.

My breath caught, but I didn't stop.

I kept walking. Maya started moving too.

We closed the distance until we finally stood in front of each other.

And then our eyes met. Just like that—hers locked onto mine so deeply I shivered.

She gave a tiny, shaky smile and suddenly nothing else mattered.

"Grace..." Her voice was soft, cracking. "I've hated being apart from you. Hated every single second I couldn't see you, touch you, hear you laugh." A broken sigh escaped her. "I'm sorry."

Her lips trembled. She swallowed, rain sliding down her face, and I just couldn't look away.

"I'm sorry for every tear I caused, for the times I broke you..." Each word felt like a knife twisting in her own chest. "I'm sorry I wasn't brave enough. I'm sorry I wasn't here when you needed me."

A lump rose in my throat. Tears mixed with the rain, sliding down my cheeks without even noticing.

"Grace, you..." Maya shook her head, emotions hitting her all at once, as if it was too much to bear. "You've made my life beautiful. You've given meaning to every moment. You... you're everything to me."

Her eyes were so bright, so open, so real they made me burn inside.

"I love you, Grace. I love you more than anything, more than I ever thought I could. I don't know how not to love you," her confession spilled out raw and honest. "If you give me a chance, I swear I'll spend every second making sure you know that."

Every word hit me deep, like she could see right through me, like I was completely known and understood.

Maya slid her hand into her pocket.

The simple movement made me catch my breath.

She pulled out the sun ring.

She slipped it onto her finger.

"I have to follow the sun," she whispered.

My heart raced as I finally reached into my own pocket.

This was meant to be.

I pulled out the moon ring.

I slipped it onto my finger.

"I have to follow the moon," I whispered.

Our hands found each other, fingers intertwined—warm, soft, present.

There was nothing left to say.

I leaned in. She leaned in.

Our lips met, soft at first, trembling, tasting like rain and everything we'd both been holding back.

Maya reached my waist, pulling me impossibly close. My body pressed into hers until we were completely fused together.

The kiss became messy, desperate, aching, and not nearly enough all at once.

"I love you," she murmured.

"I love you too," I whispered back.

Her hands tangled in my hair, deepening the kiss as I pressed every part of myself tightly against her.

"Please, let's get inside," I murmured.

Maya nodded as we started walking backwards onto the porch and finally in front of the door. I tried my best to grab the keys without breaking the kiss.

I fumbled with the lock, almost cursing when I couldn't find it.

Maya steadied my hand, placing hers over mine, and opened the door with ease.

She kicked the door closed behind us as we stepped inside, and I didn't even bother turning on the lights.

My hand traced her body, searching for the edge of her shirt, aching to pull it off—to feel her.

The wet material clung to her skin as I leaned in, pressing my lips to her neck.

Finally, I slid her shirt up over her head, letting it fall to the floor.

Maya let out a sound that was somewhere between a shiver and a soft moan.

Her skin was freezing, and I could feel her trembling against me.

I broke the kiss, and she immediately leaned in again.

"No, Grace..." she whispered, voice pleading.

"Shh... it's okay. You're shaking," I murmured, pressing a hand to her back. "We need to get you dry."

Maya shook her head. "I don't want to get dry. I just want to feel you, please."

I tilted my head as she buried her face into my neck, trying to hide her sniffles.

"Okay... okay," I whispered, fingers threading through her wet hair. "Let's get in the shower."

"Where's the bathroom?" Her eyes locked onto mine, shining so deeply I knew I had her full attention.

"Second door on the left," I smirked.

Maya didn't hesitate to kiss me again as she guided us both to the bathroom. Clothes and shoes flew off in the process.

Once inside, I turned on the hot water, making sure it hit her first.

Maya took my hand and pulled me close, pressing my body to hers as the warm water poured over us.

My body burned, and it wasn't from the water.

"Baby..." Maya said softly, eyes tracing every inch of my face. "My baby."

Her words sent my heart racing. "I missed you so, so much."

"I missed you too," she whispered, kissing my neck as soft moans slipped from my lips.

Her lips lingered, slow and burning, each kiss sending shivers through me.

My breath hitched against her skin. "I thought I lost this... lost you."

"You didn't," she breathed, her hands cupping my face, guiding my gaze to hers. "You'll never lose me."

Her hands slid from my waist, tracing soft patterns along my hips and thighs as she bent down too.

Her mouth followed, savoring every inch of me—my neck, my chest, my stomach—leaving soft kisses against my skin.

Once she reached the waistband of my panties, I didn't even give her a chance to speak—I just nodded.

Maya knelt in front of me.

Her face tilted up, angelic, her eyes burning with desire, completely focused on me.

Her mouth closed the distance and began to lick between my folds.

"Jesus," I murmured, overwhelmed.

My legs were shaking, my body aching for her, groans escaping me uncontrollably.

"Is this okay?" she asked softly.

I nodded quickly, then whispered, "Yes—yes."

Maya hummed against me, sending vibrations through my whole body as she increased her pace.

The warm water made every touch, every press felt sharper, hotter.

This is heaven.

"My Gracie... you're so beautiful," Maya murmured, her voice gentle, full of awe.

Her mouth worked with steady purpose, her tongue swirling in slow, teasing circles that sent shockwaves through me.

"Maya," I moaned her name like a prayer.

Her fingers joined her mouth in response, and the fullness drowned me like a wave crashing.

My breath caught, my hips arched against her, my hand tangled in her hair.

The sensation intensified, consuming me, until my gasps sharpened into ragged moans.

I could feel her warm breath as she whispered, "You feel incredible, Grace."

"My God—" I gasped, fingers tightening in her hair. "Yes, please—"

Words died on my lips as my peak crashed over me, overwhelming me, leaving me shaking and breathless.

Maya lifted her head, her face flushed, lips shining, eyes dark with a satisfied glow.

I smiled at her, steadying her as she leaned into me, drenched and smirking.

A vision that only turned me on.

Because I want her right now.

I pressed her gently against the shower wall, my lips finding her neck first, leaving soft kisses that made her murmur and moan.

Her hands tangled in my hair, holding on tighter as my mouth traced down her shoulder.

I worked at the straps of her bra, sliding it down slowly and letting it fall.

Soft, shaky moans escaped her, growing louder as I kissed lower, until my lips found her breast.

"Grace..." Maya murmured. "Don't stop."

I took her nipple into my mouth, tracing slow circles with my tongue. Each flick and gentle suck made her moan louder.

Music to my ears.

Her hand only tugged me closer as my fingers slid down her belly, teasing the edge of her panties.

Maya didn't wait—she slid her own panties down.

My fingers slipped between her wet folds as I began applying pressure, circling her sensitive area.

"Right there," Maya gasped, curling into me, her grip tightening in my hair as my mouth worked on her nipple.

Her moans grew ragged and satisfied as I increased my pace for her.

"Grace," she forced out through her deep breath.

My mouth and fingers were full of her, each movement deliberate and urgent, as her body responded—hungry and fragile all at once, like she was giving herself to me completely.

I felt her muscles tighten, trembling under my touch, until a hot moan escaped her and she melted into me.

We stood there, shaking and wrapped around each other.

Once again, Maya sniffled against my shoulder, nuzzling into me.

"Hey... are you okay?" I asked, scanning her face to see if something was wrong.

"Yes," she whispered, looking up at me through wet lashes. "With you, I'm always okay."

I nodded, tucking her hair behind her ear. I took the soap, letting it lather on my hands before sliding it across her shoulder, down her arm, and along the curve of her back.

Her skin finally felt warm as she melted into my touch, her body softening against me.

Still, there was something about the way she kept sniffling, or rubbing her fingers against her eyes, that made my chest tighten.

Then she took the soap from me. Her hands were careful, sliding over my shoulders first, making slow circles that made me shiver.

Maya moved down my arms, over my sides, across my back, tender but deliberate, like she knew exactly where to touch.

She didn't rush, but every movement made my skin tingle.

There was something sacred in the way she looked at me while she washed me, like every touch was an offering of herself. Like it was meant to heal me.

"Let's get dried off now, baby," I said, guiding her out of the shower and wrapping her in a robe.

I put one on too and helped Maya sit on the vanity while I grabbed the hairdryer.

I let my fingers thread through her dark hair as I dried it, feeling just how much I'd missed her.

Then I noticed her face—her cheeks still wet. I reached up with the towel, brushing them softly.

It didn't take even a second for her cheeks and eyes to be soaked again.

That's when it hit me—her skin wasn't wet from the shower anymore. Maya was crying. Silently.

Quiet, relentless tears, her face calm, almost neutral, like she didn't even notice.

I froze. My hands stilled in her hair, my heart tightening.

How long had she been holding this in? How long had she been crying quietly like this?

I finished drying her hair slowly, carefully, trying not to break the fragile balance she had found.

When I put the hairdryer down, my hands trembled just a little.

I glanced at her reflection before lowering myself to my knees.

My chest ached. "Maya..." I whispered softly, my voice barely audible.

"I know..." she whispered, a smile on her lips. "It started when I saw you..."

"I'm sorry," I murmured, my voice tight. "I didn't even notice..."

"No, Grace," she said softly, shaking her head. "This is... God—this is one of the happiest moments of my life."

Her tears ran more freely, and I wrapped her in my arms, letting her finally release everything.

She pressed her wet cheek against my shoulder as I held her tighter.

"I've waited so long for this," she said, smiling through tears.

"I know," I whispered, running my fingers through her hair. "I'm here now. You can cry, Maya. You're safe."

I held her close, rocking us gently. Her hands clutched at my robe as she buried her face deeper into my shoulder.

My lips brushed against the top of her head, whispering soft reassurances.

Maya kept crying silently. She probably shed the amount of tears a person might cry over a lifetime, but she carried them for so long.

Years of pain were finally slipping out.

When her tears finally calmed, I just wanted to make her something to eat. Maya insisted I had to dry my hair first.

I did it quickly, under her attentive gaze—just enough for it to be mostly dry, so we could move on.

That was a good compromise, since I cooked her some rigatoni with tomato sauce, and she devoured every bite with a satisfied smile.

I didn't want to ask when she'd last eaten, but God... she looked so fragile.

"Please, tell me Nelly or Victor knows you're here right now," I said as Maya twirled a bite of pasta on her fork and offered it to me.

"I used his jet, so he definitely knows I'm here," she said, smiling.

First time hearing about a jet...

"Okay...?" I said, letting out a sigh of relief.

"This house is really nice, baby. It's warm and cozy, like you," Maya said, her eyes glowing into mine as she took the last bite of pasta.

"You know it's perfect for two, right?" I teased.

She reached her hand out for mine. "I'd bet on it, love. This already feels like home."

"It is," I whispered, squeezing her hand.

Until this morning, I never really thought of it as my home—but seeing Maya here, it suddenly felt right.

She was my home—and home was wherever she was.

We finally made it to the bedroom. I handed her a new toothbrush and a soft pajama from the drawer.

As I tucked the shirt over her, Maya leaned in, inhaling the scent of the fabric. A small, teasing smile curved her lips.

"Home," she whispered as my face burned up.

I pulled the blankets back, letting her slip in first. Maya curled against me as I tucked the soft covers around us like a warm, protective cocoon.

"Perfect," I whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple.

"I'm transferring to the New York college tomorrow, Grace," she said, smiling. "And I'm going to ask my father for a job at the hotel here."

I missed her resolve so much—the way she spoke, tender and steady, making everything feel easy and safe.

"I won't leave you alone when you go to Florida to pack your things," I said, snuggling into her shoulder.

Maya stayed quiet, biting back a laugh as she looked down at me.

"What?" I said.

"Grace..." she said, making this weird face, but she didn't seem bothered. "Everything I want is right here in this bed."

My cheeks flushed at the sincerity of her words, at how deeply she was looking at me.

"Yes, I know," I whispered. "I was just talking about your clothes..."

Maya let out a nervous laugh. "Literally, Grace—I mean it for real, there's nothing left for me in Florida anymore."

Once again, she seemed completely at ease, unconcerned by her own words.

"Okay...?" I said, not understanding what she really meant, but it didn't worry me. Her face had this glow of happiness that radiated all over me.

"I don't want to know what you got up to, Maya," I sighed. "For now..."

Something definitely happened at home...

"You love me?" she asked.

"More than anything."

"And I love you more than your 'more than anything', so that's okay."

I buried my face in the curve of her neck as Maya softly ran her fingers through my hair.

It was like we had never been apart, like we'd always loved each other, even from afar.

We fitted perfectly, foreheads touching, legs tangling, breathing each other in.

"You feel better?" I asked, nuzzling my nose against hers.

"You're my cure," she said, lips brushing mine.

A/N

That's it, you guys! ??

Thank you so much for reading this story and sticking with me. ?? I think we can call this the end of their journey but... an epilogue will be coming soon to give a little extra closure!

Much love xx