Page 26 of Stolen for Keeps
She grinned. “Anyways, I grabbed some groceries for you while I was out.” She lifted a bag. “Bread, coffee, snacks…” Then, with a flourish, she pulled out a bright yellow bag. “Andyour favorite dried mangoes.”
My jaw dropped. “No way! Youremembered?”
She snorted. “Maya, please. You basically lived off these in high school.”
I laughed, shaking my head as I took the bag. “You say that likeyoudidn’t benefit from it.”
Her eyes twinkled. “Ahh, yes. The good oldMaya-saves-my-ass-during-examsera.”
“You mean the era where I let you copy my notes, and you swore you’d pay me back in mangoes?”
Sheryn gasped, clutching her chest. “Pay you back?Excuse me. It was an investment in our friendship.”
I tossed a mango at her head. She caught it without missing a beat and popped it into her mouth.
“Glad to have you back, Maya Bel,” she chirped.
“Yeah,” I said. “Me too.”
“Actually, that was a bribe,” Sheryn confessed.
I appraised her with my head tilted, arms crossed. With that sweet, innocent face of hers, how was I supposed to say no to whatever scheme she was cooking up?
“Spill it.”
“Rehearsal dance tonight. Four o’clock snacks with Elia and Claire, then rehearsal at five.”
I waited.
For her to say his name.
For some casual mention of Elia’s brother.
But it didn’t come.
I fought the urge to squirm. Dancing? Small talk? Wearing something that didn’t scream “don’t look at me”? Not exactly my scene.
But if Noah was there?
I’d make an exception.
Though it shouldn’t matter. This was for Sheryn. She’d stood by me through everything, and if she wanted me at her wedding stuff, then I’d be there. Even if I had to suffer through twirling, chatting, and not looking like someone who’d rather be anywhere else.
I smile. “Fine. I won’t be late. I promise.”
“Good,” she chirped. “And you’ll finally meet my Nick.”
I arched a brow. “Bestie interrogation time?”
Her eyes narrowed, so I held up my hands in surrender. “Kidding. No grilling, I promise. From everything you’ve told me, he sounds like your guy.”
Then, her smirk faded, and she bowed her head.
I caught her hand. “What is it?”
“So…” she hesitated. “Have you talked to your mom yet?”
The words hit harder than I expected.
