Page 66 of The Overdue Kiss

The thought of her leaving Rocosa, leaving me... I press a hand to my aching chest. I don’t know if I could survive it.

Maybe Ivan isn’t as far off as I originally thought.

“It doesn’t matter how I feel. She’s not interested in a relationship with anyone.”

“Huh. Then why does she keep sneaking glances at you?”

I peer over my shoulder at Maya. The moment our eyes meet, the music switches and her eyes widen a fraction. Her full lips curve into a new smile, a soft one that nearly steals my breath away.

Every single one of her smiles is beautiful, but this one? It calls to me like no other. My own lips are desperate to press against hers if only she’d let me. But would one kiss be enough?

I bite my lip in thought, already craving a lifetime of kisses with her. A shiver runs through me at the possibility.

Jeez. . . Ivan’s right. I do love her.

But how do I tell her without scaring her away?

“Thanks for the chat,” I say and slide off the stool, still unable to tear my attention away from my favorite librarian.

“And you young people think we are blind.” He huffs behind me.

I walk back to the table on a cloud of revelation and plop back in my chair like the others aren’t staring me down for answers. Roxy winks at me and quickly brings up a charity gala for Chris’s company, drawing all their nosy faces away from me.

Well, almost everyone’s.

Maya still holds my gaze. I feel the barest of touches to the tip of my boot. She doesn’t have to say thanks—the glimmers in her eyes speak volumes. Something catches her attention over my shoulder, and I find the waitress standing by my elbow again.

“Uh, is there something wrong with the bill?”

“Oh, no, it’s just that I was wondering—‍” Her sentence cuts off at the exact same moment Maya places her hand over mine.

It’s a possessive touch, an innocent one that sends a wave of goosebumps down my arm. Without a thought, I thread our fingers together, loving the weight of her hand in mine.

I whip back to the forgotten waitress. “You were saying?”

She swallows. “Just wondering if you wanted another refill.”

Before I can speak, Maya answers for me. “No, thanks. He’s good.”

I’ve no idea what just happened, but the waitress beelines it back through the kitchen door.

“Oof. Poor thing,” Roxy says.

“It was bound to happen,” Cai adds. “I’m glad someone put her out of her misery. Thanks for taking one for the team, Maya.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask.

“Your flirting radar is so broken. She’s been flirting with you for months, man. It’s been hard to watch.”

Thor and Chris chuckle behind their drinks.

“You all knew she liked me?”

“A blind man could tell she liked you,” Thor jokes.

“Oh.”

“You weren’t interested in her, were you?” Maya whispers, leaning across the table. She starts to untangle our fingers, but I tighten my grip.

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