Page 76 of Sunsets and Happy Ever Afters

I never meant to hurt or deceive you.

Please forgive me for my stupidity.

And let me ask you out on a date… He paused before revealing the next card, hesitating.

Will you have dinner with me, Maya?

Maya wiped her eyes some more. Afraid of dropping the painting, she hugged it tightly. She found herself nodding. “Yes, yes, I’ll let you take me out.”

“Would tonight be pushing it?” Sam said over the music. He turned the volume down.

Maya shook her head. “No, no.”

“Have you eaten?”

“No,” Maya said. “I was just thinking about what to make, with no motivation to actually cook.”

“Can I take you to dinner, then?” He stepped closer, discarding the cue cards, resting them against the wall of her house. She could see he was still nervous, rocking on his heels.

Maya chewed her lip, brushing a hand down her tunic while the other hugged the painting. She didn’t want to go on a date with Sam while dressed for work. “Can you give me an hour? I need to shower and change.” She sniffed and wiped her eyes.

Sam’s face lit up. “Of course, me too. I’ll be back at seven-thirty,” he said with a nod, then swiftly kissed her cheek. Eagerly, he picked up the cards and the portable CD player.

“Sam,” she blurted, “I can’t accept this painting.”

“Yes, you can. Consider it a birthday present, if you need a reason. I bought it for you.” With everything gathered he walked back down the driveway, not letting her argue. “See you in an hour,” he called over his shoulder.

Maya shut the front door and placed the painting on the sofa, admiring its sunset orange hues, then raced upstairs, undoing her tunic as she went.