Page 27 of The Overdue Kiss

“I bet that’s a fun party trick.”

I bark a laugh. “Uh, no. It’s not really a ‘skill’ others appreciate, especially kids. Though it did help me get stuffed into a locker once.”

“Oof. That’s why I like reading so much. It helps me escape the meanness of the world. All right, smarty-pants, try this one: 3,285 divided by the square root of 93 times zero.”

There’s no hesitation. “Zero. I thought you were going to make it harder?”

“Well, I thought the zero would trip you up. Let me try another.”

She nibbles on her lower lip, trying her best to think of an equation to stump me. But she doesn’t know I am already stumped, not with the numbers but with her. How does she keep finding her way into my thoughts? I’ve typed up thirty-five text messages and immediately deleted them before I hit send. Words have never come easy to me, especially when feelings are involved. But she makes me want to leave my comfort zone. To learn more about her and memorize her features until I know them as easily as math facts.

Does this mean I like her? Or am I just curious? Or is it both? As desperate as I am for answers, I also sense Maya’s hesitation. If I come on too strong, she’ll bolt in the other direction. For now, my curiosity must wait.

After a few more equations, which I pass with flying colors, I snatch my victory fry from her plate with a smug smile and brand the sweet lilt of her laugh into my memory.

When the food truck closes up, I’m shocked at how late it’s gotten. The overhead string lights blink off, and we realize we are the only customers left in the picnic area.

She grabs her purse and chuckles in the moonlight. “I guess that’s our signal to go home.”

But for once, I don’t want to retreat. I want to stay and binge every season of Maya’s life like some Netflix addict. But I remind myself to take it nice and slow. Strange how I usually offer this advice to everyone else, but this is the first time I’ve had to say it to myself.

Then I suddenly grin at the excuse to get her back on my bike. It’s a minute ride back to Julia’s cabin and way too short a drive for my taste. We ride the entire way with my hand resting over hers. For her reassurance, of course.

She hops off the motorcycle, still talking a mile a minute about the recent book she read about a merman falling in love with a girl. After five minutes she lost me, but hearing the enthusiasm in her words makes me want to read the book myself just so I can see her face light up when I mention it again.

I reach out to unlatch Maya’s helmet strap, and everything slows as I lift it over her head like one of those cliché clips from the movies. Creamy moonbeams wash over her features, haloing her curls, and I don’t realize I’ve grabbed a ringlet until it’s between my fingers.

She laughs, a twinkle of it glimmering in her eyes. “I’m sure it’s a rat’s nest after the ride.”

“It’s beautiful,” I say, unable to stop myself.

“You’re sweet.” We stand there a second too long, neither of us moving away. “Goodnight, Des.”

I let the curl slip from my fingers and remind myself this is not a date.

“Goodnight, Maya,” I return, and I drive home before I do something neither of us are ready for.

Before I fall asleep, a text chimes on my phone with an apology from Reese. I ignore it and curl back under the covers, letting my not-a-date with Maya play on a loop in my head until I finally doze off.

I’m here and yet I’m not. My senses notice the details around me. The warm sun cooking me through my leather at the same time the wind brushes my skin with its icy fingers to cool me down. Bright green leaves mix with the darker hues of the pines, painting a blur of color in my peripheral as I drive by. Clear blue skies stretch out in the distance, not a cloud in sight.

It’s a perfect day for a ride, but I don’t even see it.

Instead, my mind is dissecting the conversation with Maya. What is going on between us? Are we friends? Or something more? Not that a relationship is an option. Normally that’s my line, to say I don’t date. So, I should’ve been happy we are on the same page.

But when Maya says it? I frown as another punch of disappointment hits my gut.

I’m at a loss of what to do—or even what I want.

The rumble of the engines is soothing white noise and helps me focus internally. It’s one of those rare days where the whole group is out on a ride together, including their significant others. Only Jude, Chantelle’s fiancé, is busy today.

The wind rushes over me as I take a tight curve, following behind Cai’s motorcycle. Talullah holds on to him with a death grip, squeezing him to the point I’m surprised he’s able to take a full breath. Chris and Roxy lead the pack, with Thor and Clover close behind. Chantelle’s right beside them, her dark braids flapping behind her like tentacles.

Their voices flow into my speakers, all our helmets synchronized. They’re laughing, talking over one another. The sound of it is comforting despite how rambunctious they can get, especially when we are all together like this. Some days, like today, I just don’t feel like talking and let their banter wrap around me like a weighted blanket—even if most of the discussion is about wedding plans.

I miss this. I miss them.

I wasn’t lying to Maya yesterday when I said this is more than a biker group. They are more than friends. They are the ones who saved me when I was at my lowest.

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