Page 63 of The Overdue Kiss

I lean back in my chair, listening to Thor’s latest story, but my mind keeps wandering back to her. She’s not helping matters when she texts me an image of a heaping pile of guacamole, letting me know I’m missing out. But I made a promise to my friends that I’d be here, and it’s a plan I want to keep.

If only my brain got the same memo.

More often than not, I find myself caught up in my thoughts, drifting from the conversation and running down some Maya rabbit trail.

Numbers float in my head, distracting me until I finally snatch a napkin from the center of the table and start to scribble them down. It isn’t an equation but measurements. I stare off in the distance, summoning the dimensions of the empty wall in my house.

I’m so deep in thought that I don’t notice how close Roxy is until she speaks.

“Where do you go sometimes?”

The numbers begin to fade. “Go?”

“Yeah, sometimes you are physically here, but it’s like your mind has left the building.”

My eyes dart between all my friends at the table. Thor, Chris, and Cai are mid-laugh, the sound of it unrestrained and echoing through the tavern. Someone must have said something hilarious because Thor’s face practically matches his flaming hair. My cold cheeseburger has been sitting forgotten for who knows how long, the plate overloaded with so many fries that they’re scattered on the table.

How long has this been sitting here?

“Sorry,” I say, grabbing the napkin off the table and shoving it into my pocket.

Roxy frowns. “I don’t mean it as a reprimand. I was just curious. What are you working on that has your complete attention?”

“Just something for my house.”

She smiles at me and waits for me to continue.

“It’s a bookshelf.”

Her eyes light up at the idea. “I didn’t know you were a reader.”

I clear my throat. “I’m not... I mean, unless you count my textbooks.”

Her brows crush together. “You have that many textbooks?!”

I glance up and notice I’ve caught Chris’s attention. He opens his mouth to say something but then he glances over my shoulder and tilts his head.

“Des? Sorry to bother you?—‍”

I spin in my chair at the sound of Maya’s voice. My heart picks up its pace like an excited puppy. I thought I was picking her up later?

“Hey,” I say and then scramble to get myself out of the chair. I lead her a few steps away from the table, the eyes of the group burning into my spine. “Is everything okay?”

Her eyes widen. “Oh goodness, yes. I’m fine. I didn’t mean to startle you or interrupt you from your—‍” she looks at my untouched plate, and a quick flash of confusion crosses her features before she covers it with a smile “—‍meal. I was just letting you know my prima, eh, cousin Mia is going to give me a ride back to town. You’re off the hook.”

The punch of disappointment steals my breath away. “Is it because you need to leave right now? Because I don’t mind heading out if you’re ready.”

Her nervous smile turns genuine. My favorite smile. I can’t stop my own lips from curving to mirror it.

“I was trying not to be a bother. You’ve already done so much for me.”

“Maya,” I whisper, holding her gaze. “You arenevera bother. I like spending time with you. If you haven’t noticed, I keep trying to sneak in ways to spendmoretime with you.” The back of my neck heats at the admission, knowing the entire table is eavesdropping on us. “Let me take you back.”

Lost in thought, she bites her lip, considering my offer. The need to reach out and touch her is so intense it hurts. I curl my hands into fists and shove them in my pockets before I scare her away. Patience is what she needs most... even if it kills me.

“Okay, let me text her and let her know I’m with you.”

My eyes travel over her while she types on her phone, appreciating her features up close. Her kissable nose, long lashes, the tan skin of her cheek, and the delicate swoop of her jaw to her ears. Little books dangle from her lobes, swinging back and forth like fingers beckoning me closer.

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