Page 68 of The Overdue Kiss

“Sooo, you’re saying I still have a chance.” He pumps his fist in victory.

“I didn’t say yes to anything.”

“But you didn’t say no. Baby steps. I told you that you’d be worth the wait and I meant it. I’ll meet you later at the library. You keep thinking about it, okay?”

To be honest, it’s all I’ve been thinking about.

After Des leaves, I decide to knock out some of my social media content and hop on for an impromptu live with my followers. It’s been forever since the last one, and it’s perfect timing since I finished two more books.

I set up my tripod, turn my cell to Do Not Disturb, and get as comfortable as I can on a mushroom beanbag chair. My hands shake a little as I clip on my microphone. Even though I’ve done this for a few years, the live part always gives me the jitters.

It’s an irrational fear, one that I always give myself a pep talk for. Once the live starts, I know it will be fun. Joining the online book community is the best thing I’ve done. Getting to share my recommendations and meeting new book friends—it’s been a dream come true.

Hitting the button, I smile at the camera as I wait for a few people to show up so I’m not just talking to my tía Rosa. Eventually, a few people pop in and “ooh” and “aww” over the bookmobile.

“Hey, everyone. I’m back for another review. This one was so, so good.” I hold up the book so it’s centered on the screen. “I actually read this one versus listening to the audiobook. Seriously, this one pulled me in from page one and didn’t let go. If you like enemies-to-lovers mixed with hidden identity?—‍”

“Maya?”

The voice behind me derails my train of thought, and my review evaporates as Des climbs up the steps into the bookmobile. And he’s there, on my screen, still wearing his helmet and gear, and carrying an iced drink and paper bag with the bakery’s logo on it for the whole world to see.

“Des...Des,” I whisper-shout while trying to keep my professional smile in place.

He’s too focused to notice, watching the drink carefully as he moves. The comment section explodes, everyone demanding to know who the hot biker is.

“I know you said you were busy and didn’t have time to eat, so I grabbed you something to tide you over. I deserve a medal for not spilling a drop of this.”

“Um, I’m kinda in the middle of my book review.”

I subtly wave, trying to catch his attention.

“Oh, are you adding another one into your app?” He places the drink and bag down. “By the way, this is an iced chai. You seem more into...” He notices himself on my screen and quickly shuts his visor. “Uh... are you doing a live?”

“Yep.” I turn back to the camera to see my pink cheeks flushed on the screen. “So, uh, everyone, this is Desmond. He’s a teacher here and helping me with the library renovations.”

He waves and sidesteps closer to me.

“I think this is his first live, so go easy on him.” I turn around and whisper, “You can run away now if you want.”

“It might be fun to see you in action. You're kinda like a celebrity.”

I laugh, knowing that is far from the truth.

The comments roll in, begging him to stay. I’ve never seen so many exclamation marks in my life.

“They want you to lift your visor because your voice is muffled,” I say, scanning a few more comments before they disappear off the screen to make room for new ones.

He raises it up, still keeping close to me. “Whoa. That’s a lot of hearts.”

“I guess my followers are enjoying the mysterious biker guest. All the comments are for you.” I gesture to him. “Should we ask Des about his taste in books? Or how many books he reads in a year?”

“The last one is easy, six. One for each math class I teach. I’m guessing yours is a little higher. Thirty, or something crazy?”

I glance away. “Um, a little higher. It’s usually just over two hundred. I listen to a lot of audiobooks when I work.”

“I’m sorry, did you saytwo hundred? In a single year? I don’t think we have that many books in our library, Maya.” He taps his fingers on his legs. “It would take me thirty-four years to read as many as you do in just one year. I like numbers, but those are some crazy statistics.”

“Or you just need to read more books and catch up with me,” I say, laughing.

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