Page 20 of The Overdue Kiss

“Nah. Didn’t you see? She had a visitor badge.”

Another loud wave of chatter erupts as they all argue their guesses.

“Quiet down. We are not discussing this,” I announce, holding up my hands in hopes of reining everyone away from this topic.

Another hand is still waving patiently in the air. “Kiera?”

“Your ‘friend’ left.”

What?My head whips to the door. And just like yesterday, Maya is gone.

“Ava, you’re in charge. Keep reading the syllabus until I get back.” Then I bolt from the room before I change my mind. Spotting the red fabric of her dress swishing down the hall toward the east wing, I rush past the open classrooms in pursuit.

An irrational panic brews in my chest and fuels me into a sprint. If I’m not fast enough, she might disappear again, and this time, I might lose her for good.

Thankfully, Maya turns at the clomping of my dress shoes, her brown eyes wide at my approach. I skid to a stop in front of her... and realize I have no idea what to say again.

Chapter Six

I’ve never been so embarrassed in my entire life than I am whenever I’m around Des. What seemed like a great idea at midnight last night has now turned me into a cookie-bringing weirdo. His confused expression said it all. I couldn’t run out of his classroom fast enough. I’d hide in the Rocosa library if it wasn’t closed on Mondays.

“What were you thinking, Maya?” I whisper under my breath.

But of course, I’m not lucky enough to escape. Des tracked me down to drag out this awkward moment.

Forcing a smile, I secretly wish the floor could swallow me whole.

“Did you need something else?” I ask.

“Yes . . . I mean no.”

I give him a second to elaborate, but he continues to stare at me with those silver eyes. Unlike yesterday, it feels like I have to pry words out of him.

“Everything’s all right?” I ask. My eyes flick over his shoulder to the few students who peer out of his classroom at us just before they dart back inside.

“It’s nothing urgent. I... just forgot to thank you for the cookies. Nobody has baked me anything in years. It left me a little speechless is all.”

My heart softens a little. “You’re so welcome. I wish I could say that made us even, but I don’t think there are enough cookies I could bake to show my gratitude.”

“I don’t want you to feel like you’re indebted to me,” he states quickly.

“In the Santos family, food is more than something you eat. It’s a gesture of appreciation and kindness. Think of it as our love language.”

“My granny was like that.”

“Oh, then you understand. I apologize that these aren’t my mami’s tamales, but these are one of the few things I can make with my eyes closed.”

“I’m sure they’re delicious. Half the class was drooling over them. I probably shouldn’t leave them unguarded.”

I chuckle, and some of the tension and embarrassment drains from my body. Despite all my blunders when I’m around him, Des has this comforting way about him that puts me at ease.

Now I’m the one at a loss for words.

“What happened to you yesterday?” he blurts, like the thought escaped against his will.

“Me?” I laugh, shaking my head at the change of subject. “You’re the one who disappeared.”

“I had to help a friend real fast. It took ten minutes max. I didn’t think you’d just leave without saying goodbye.” He tucks his hands in his khakis and rocks back and forth on his heels.

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