Chapter 22 Maya
Chapter twenty-two
Maya
It’s lucky I made a reservation because Chez Ma Tante is packed today.
I shouldn’t be surprised, considering I picked the best brunch spot in the city.
Tiffany and Denise appear to be engaged in a “battle of the boobs”: Tiffany’s wearing a skintight bodysuit in deep brown with a scandalous sweetheart neckline and a gold chain around her waist; while Denise is wearing a scarlet red top so low cut you can see her ribcage tattoo, with houndstooth capris and black platforms. In comparison, I look like a nun in a floral summer dress with a boat neckline.
“Y’all didn’t tell me I was supposed to dress like one of the Real Housewives of Jersey Shore for this brunch.” I sulk around the straw of my Bloody Mary and check the maitre’d podium for the fifth time. Tiffany waves her nude talons dismissively.
“Oh girl, stop. You look great. Plus, you’ve already caught a man. I’m still recruiting for the position.” Denise laughs at Tiffany’s boldness and drinks from her mimosa.
“And I’m not looking for a man, but my style is just too good to turn off.” Denise and Tiffany tangle fingertips in bawdy camaraderie.
I begrudgingly smile at my two best friends.
After years of only seeing Tiff around the holidays or the odd long weekend, I finally have both of my girls in one place for happy hour, karaoke, or the occasional “Binge my pussy actually gets wetter the closer he gets.
I keep waiting for my intense attraction to Adam to wear off, but it just seems to increase the more I get to know him.
Not only is he sinfully gorgeous, he’s also a truly good person.
So what in the world does he see in me? I quickly shake those doubts aside. This brunch will be a success. Tiffany and Denise both sit up straighter once they realize Adam’s approaching our table.
“Damn, girl! It’s like that?“ Tiffany mutters under her breath. Yeah, it is. I give her a wink and turn as Adam pulls out the empty chair.
“I’m so sorry I’m late. The train got held underground, otherwise I would have texted.” He turns to me apologetically and kisses my cheek. I take his hand and squeeze it reassuringly.
“It’s all good, babe. We just ordered some brunch cocktails to get started.”
“Sounds good to me. So…” He looks between Denise and Tiffany. “Which one of you is Denise and which one is Tiffany?” Denise is the first to extend her hand for a handshake.
“I’m Denise. I’ve been friends with Maya since Pratt and we were even roommates for a year—“
“The worst idea ever,” I interrupt. “Between your massive closet and my endless crafting supplies, we sometimes had trouble finding the couch.” We both laugh and Tiffany takes Denise’s hand out of Adam’s and replaces it with her own.
“And I’m Tiffany. Maya and I have been tight since, like sixth grade?” I nod at Tiff. “She’s also been filling in at my Summer program up in Harlem.” Adam smiles warmly at both of my friends.
“Oh, I know all about that program. That’s the reason Maya’s alarm has been waking us up at 7:00 AM every Saturday.
” Adam gives me a heated look that reminds me what we’re really doing when my alarm goes off and I avert my eyes so my friends don’t see me blush profusely.
While some prefer “afternoon delight”, suffice it to say, Adam is a morning person.
“So you’ve been staying over a lot, have you?” Tiffany’s eyebrow is raised and my face turns even brighter red. I knew they were going to embarrass me today! To my surprise, Adam scoots his chair closer to mine and puts his arm around me.
“As much as she’ll let me. Her place has way better food, plus I hate when she has to leave early to feed Khan.”
Denise and Tiffany exchange amused looks before the waiter thankfully interrupts their impending battery of questions.
Denise and I get the pancakes and fennel sausage, Adam gets the egg and sausage sandwich, and Tiffany gets the quiche.
In keeping with my promise, I also order mimosas for Adam and myself.
“So, Adam. Staying over? Meeting the friends? You must be getting serious about our friend here.” Tiffany is relentless! I hide my face in my hands but not before seeing Denise smile and lean forward expectantly.
“Tiffany!” I squeal. I turn to Adam, my eyes pleading. “I’m so sorry, babe. I promise I didn’t ask her to ask you that.” Adam looks thoroughly entertained by this line of questioning.
“I don’t mind.” He takes a sip of his mimosa before turning to Tiffany. “To answer your question, yeah, Maya and I are definitely something special.”
“Hmm,” Tiffany looks unconvinced. “‘Special’? Not ‘Serious’?” I level Tiffany with my best withering stare. Adam laughs out loud.
“I’d hate to speak for Maya, so I’ll leave that one alone.” Tiffany opens her mouth to grill Adam further and I’m once again saved by the waiter who sets down our plates. I focus on eating and not the inquisition to avoid dying of embarrassment.
“I’m glad to hear you know how special Maya is.” Denise chimes in for the first time since introductions. Thank God! I’m going to need to have a talk with Tiffany. “So, have you ever dated a Black woman before, Adam?” I clench my fork so hard it might snap.
“Denise!” Oh my God. Kill me now!
“What? I think it’s a fair question.” Of course Tiffany does. The two of them have practically no filter. I warned Adam beforehand, but they are in rare form today.
“You’re right,” Adam begins. “It is a fair question, especially from two people looking out for their friend.” He smiles at me and squeezes my hand under the table.
“No, I’ve never gone out with a Black woman before…
I’ve never gone out with anyone like Maya before.
” Denise leans closer to Adam, the judgement clear in her eyes.
“And what exactly does that mean?” Denise asks. I know she means well, but the claws are definitely out. Adam takes a big bite of his sandwich; chewing while mulling over the question.
“Well, she’s beautiful, of course. She’s talented as hell.” Adam makes a show of thinking. “She’s a badass girl boss.”
“My girl’s definitely a boss; no qualifiers necessary,” Tiffany insists. Adam nods, smart enough not to push the issue.
“No doubt. Maya’s sweet, willing to do anything for a friend or loved one in need. And she’s hella smart.” Adam wipes his mouth before taking another bite of his sandwich. “I mean, I know she’s way more than that, but that’s just off the top of my head.”
I’m stunned. He just said the sweetest things any guy has ever said to or about me, but he’s acting like it was the most casual thing in the world. Both Denise and Tiffany have knowing smiles on their faces.
“That’s all well and good,” Denise continues, “but do you really know Maya? Like even her pet peeves, her dealbreakers?” Thank goodness Adam is a good sport. They are not going easy on him.
“For Maya, cheating is a dealbreaker,” offers Denise.
“Noted, though I think that’s true for most people.” He looks me in the eyes directly. “Cheating has never been my style.” I sigh in relief. The girls might be a bit nosy, but they’re also asking questions I’ve been too scared to consider.
“And she hates when people order for her,” Tiffany adds. “I totally get it. I could never let a guy order for me—“
“While I think it can be sexy when a man takes charge like that,” Denise finishes. “And what about her favorite color?” Denise asks. Adam stays quiet, happy to watch my two best friends bust my chops. Tiffany interjects.
“She might tell you it’s teal or maybe red, but in her heart of hearts, Maya’s favorite color is—“
“Pink!” Denise yells triumphantly, a smug grin on her face. “Like Barbie pink. Seriously, she’s got a closet full of the stuff, that she thinks we don’t know about.”
My cheeks turn that same shade and I slouch in my seat.
“Guys,” I pout. “Can’t a girl have a few guilty pleasures without her girls ratting her out to her boyfriend?” They just smile and Adam has the nerve to chuckle. Tiffany puts her fork down, her expression serious.
“If I’m being real though, I wanna warn you that race will come up at some point.
I see it all the time at my school. The kids are young, but a lot of the time, it’s the same shit we’re dealing with.
“ She takes a sip of her Bloody Mary. “Dealing with the race bullshit, the discrimination, may not be fun, but it’s best to face it head on.” Her face turns even more solemn.
“And believe her…if she talks to you about it.”
The whole table is quiet for a moment. There’s clearly a story behind Tiffany’s words, but I doubt she’d want to get into it in front of Adam. I make a mental note to talk to her about it soon. Adam finishes his sandwich and puts his hand on my thigh under the table.
“Thanks for the insight, ladies.” He gives my thigh a squeeze. “Seems like we blew right past small talk, which is fine by me.”
“In the words of Sweet Brown,” starts Denise, “‘ain’t nobody got time for that.’” She raises her glass and Tiffany giggles and clinks her glass to Denise’s.
I’d been avoiding this conversation,—even in 2024, we can’t kid ourselves that being together won’t rub some people the wrong way—but it was relatively painless. Tiffany is right; it’s best to face this head on.
For the rest of the meal, Tiffany and Denise thankfully stick to more traditional interrogation topics.
Tiffany asks about Adam’s job and educational background, while Denise asks about his family and exes before I shut down that conversation.
I don’t need Adam thinking about his exes any more than absolutely necessary.
Other than the initial questions about race and relationship status, this may have been the most successful “meet the friends” outing I’ve ever had.
Adam fits right in and doesn’t shy away from the tough conversations.
By the time the check comes, we’re even talking about another brunch date.
Maybe Adam and I are starting to get serious.