Chapter 12 Maya
Chapter twelve
Maya
Afaint ding sounds from my phone. I look around at my messy apartment; it's starting to look like a hoarder lives here. After rifling through the hoops and canvases all over my couch, I find my phone lying face down in a bag of thread.
Adam (Champagne Flutes)
Adam (Champagne Flutes): Hey there.
Adam is texting me? That can't be right. I must have fallen asleep while doing needlepoint again because there’s no way Adam would text me after last night’s debacle.
I cringe remembering that I actually waved before sprinting to my car.
He stood in front of his apartment and watched me drive off with a big grin on his face and, because God's got jokes, I then had to wait at the red light at the end of his block.
I could still see the laughter in his eyes in my rearview mirror.
I bet he and his friends have already had a good laugh at how ridiculous I am.
Adam had only gotten hotter the more time I spent with him. I found out he’s got a great sense of humor, he’s smart, and we like the same music. Then, after hours of semi-successful flirting, I freaked out and called him my “road trip buddy”. Ugh! You can hardly blame me for running after that.
I throw the blanket off my lap, phone gripped tightly in my hand.
No matter how hard I blink, the message doesn’t change.
Either I’m still sleeping or Adam actually texted me.
If Adam really did text me, what do I say?
Why would he be texting? I start pacing rapidly until the obvious occurs to me: He probably just left something in my car.
Adam (Champagne Flutes)
Hi there.
Adam (Champagne Flutes): So, thanks again for the ride, Maya. You really saved me.
Not a problem at all, Mr. Park.
Just kidding, LOL
Adam (Champagne Flutes): lol, I was about to say! If you can’t use my first name by now
LOL, I was only teasing
Adam (Champagne Flutes): Oh, so you're a tease? … Interesting, lol.
Can Adam ever not flirt? My goodness! It's like our car ride unlocked some sort of frisky gene.
Adam (Champagne Flutes)
OMG, I didn't mean it like that!
Adam (Champagne Flutes): Sure you didn't, lol
ANYWAY, lol. Did you forget something?
Adam (Champagne Flutes): Forget something?
Yeah, in my car. I'm assuming that's why you're texting?
Adam (Champagne Flutes): …Something like that.
I stop pacing and look at my phone, a little confused.
Adam (Champagne Flutes)
What does that mean, lol?
Adam (Champagne Flutes): I didn’t forget something so much as ran out of time.
Adam (Champagne Flutes): To be fair, you DID run away, lol
I can't believe he would bring that up! So much for thinking he is a gentleman.
Adam (Champagne Flutes)
I did NOT run away!
Adam (Champagne Flutes): The skid marks on the sidewalk in front of my apartment beg to differ.
Oh my God! You are such a jerk.
Adam (Champagne Flutes): LOL
So what did you run out of time to do, anyway?
Adam (Champagne Flutes): You really don't know? Or are you just playing coy?
I really don't know. And I couldn't "play it coy" if I tried, lol.
Adam (Champagne Flutes): I was going to kiss you, silly!
Adam (Champagne Flutes): I was actually going to kiss you silly, LOL. Isn't that customary at the end of a first date?
What?! Here I am thinking he was trying to let me down easy when he wanted to kiss me? My apartment suddenly feels about 150°F.
Adam (Champagne Flutes)
Yesterday was a date?
Adam (Champagne Flutes): It certainly felt like it to me…Unless that was someone else I was flirting with all the way back from Cape Cod.
Make that 200°F. My face must look like a strawberry at this point. I take off my now sweaty cardigan.
Adam (Champagne Flutes)
I MAY have been the TINIEST bit flirtatious
Adam (Champagne Flutes): If that's true, then I MAY be the TINIEST bit Korean.
Adam!
Adam (Champagne Flutes): BTW you smelled really good yesterday. I knew you would.
Oh shit. He was flirting yesterday. I can’t help but pace now, filled with nervous energy. Is Adam, like, into me?
Adam (Champagne Flutes)
Thank you. It’s sandalwood and vanilla.
Adam (Champagne Flutes): I like it.
Thanks again.
Adam (Champagne Flutes): So are you free Friday night? Like 7?
Eeek! I’m practically jogging now. Adam is approximately 300% hotter than any guy I’ve ever dated. Since when do guys like him wanna go out with girls like me?
Adam (Champagne Flutes)
Just to be clear, you mean free for a date, right?
Adam (Champagne Flutes): Actually I was hoping for another ride.
Adam (Champagne Flutes): That was a joke, BTW. Yes, I meant a date.
Adam (Champagne Flutes): I'll make it REALLY clear it's a date this time ;)
Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod!!!
Adam (Champagne Flutes)
Ha ha. Sure. That sounds great. Where should I meet you?
Adam (Champagne Flutes): Have you heard of Honey’s? It’s this cool little cocktail bar, and they do mead and small plates
Mead, huh?
Adam (Champagne Flutes): Yup. Feel like pretending to be a viking with me?
LOL! I’m down
Adam (Champagne Flutes): Great. I’ll see you then
Did that really just happen?! Still pacing, I immediately call Denise for a recap.
“Hello?”
“Denise! You are not gonna believe who I’m going out with this Friday!”
“Who?”
“Adam!” I squeal, barely believing it myself. A long silence follows. I’ve clearly shocked her to death.
“Uh…Who?” she asks tentatively. Seriously?!!
“You know! Adam! Champagne flutes Adam.”
“Ooooh. ‘Mr. Park’ Adam,” she says. I can hear the smile in her voice. “You mean the jerk who practically yelled at you after you drove all the way to Cape Cod, then had the nerve to ask for a ride back?”
Oh, right. I never gave Denise the full details from the car ride. After how it ended, I figured I’d spare myself the embarrassment. I spend the next fifteen minutes filling her in and when I’m done, she's borderline hyperventilating.
“Damn, girl! I’m so proud of you.”
“Proud? For what?”
“Adam asked you out and, rather than think of a million excuses, you actually said 'yes'!” This is the problem with best friends. They know you too well…and call you on your bullshit.
“Harsh, but fair. He IS super hot, though. Way hotter than even Michael.” Michael was an adjunct professor at CUNY with a slight snaggletooth. He dressed like my uncle, but damn was he a god with his tongue. Denise just sucks her teeth.
“Fuck Michael. He was a two pump chump and he cheated on you.”
Well, damn. Her voice softens a bit. She must realize she struck a nerve.
“I’m sorry, Maya. All I’m saying is that he wasn’t good enough for you. You are awesome. You are funny. You are hot. And you deserve someone who’s all in for you.”
“Thanks, D.” I’ve finally stopped pacing. Denise is right. Why am I overthinking this? It’s just a date. It’s not like it’s the rest of my life. I should just focus on having fun and forget about anything else.
With D and Tiff here to help me with what to wear for my date, my apartment looks even messier than normal.
Tiffany, my resident stylist, sits in the living room, using the hallway as a makeshift catwalk to judge outfits.
Denise is judging too, but she's mostly here for the wine and petit fours I made for the occasion.
In the four days since Adam asked me out, he's been radio silent except to confirm our date yesterday afternoon.
I used that time to stress bake macarons, chocolate eclairs, Baumkuchen, and the snack cakes we're eating tonight.
If I hadn't been swamped with orders, I definitely would have gone insane.
"C'mon, Maya!" Tiffany calls from the living room. "I know you're going to look fierce in that so just come out so we can do your makeup."
I smooth my hands down my dress and take a calming breath. I do my best Tyra Banks impression when I walk down the hall and Tiffany breaks into applause.
"I knew it. Whew. Adam's not going to know what hit him!"
Denise snaps in appreciation as she brings her wine glass to sit next to Tiff.
"Damn, Tiffany! I'm going to have to use you for my dates too." Tiffany smiles at the compliment and raises her glass.
"Here's to sexy outfits and even sexier men!" We all cheers our glasses and laugh before Tiffany's face turns serious.
"So why are you so nervous about this date? Is he not that interested?"
Denise cuts in before I can answer.
"Adam is super interested. Maya's just got a bad case of imposter syndrome." I hand Tiffany the makeup bag while she and Denise share a look.
”Still, Maya? I would’ve thought you’d gotten over that.” Tiffany turns to talk to Denise like I’m not in the room. I knew it was a mistake to introduce them.
“Ever since junior high, this beautiful woman has been letting assholes decide how she should feel about herself.”
“Hey! I may have some baggage in that area, but I don’t let them decide.”
“Oh yeah?” I don’t like the challenge I hear in Denise’s voice. “Then prove it. Tonight, don’t be ‘unsure Maya’. Be ‘Head Bitch In Charge Maya’.”
Tiffany cheers her on as she does my mascara.
“Damn right! Let this Adam guy know he would be lucky to spend a night with you.” My cheeks go beet red.
“Tiffany! It’s our first real date. I doubt it will end in the bedroom.”
Tiffany and Denise both look me up and down.
“It will if this dress has anything to do with it!”
Denise high fives Tiffany. What am I getting myself into?