18. Maya
eighteen
Maya
" M aya," Asher's voice comes through and breaks me from my trance.
I look at him, and he's crouched in front of me with his hands on my shoulders. "I'll be nearby if you need anything. Just say my name, and I'll return to your side."
I nod at him, but I can't help the anxious racing of my heart. Yesterday's events kept replaying in my mind, and a million questions hung around me like persistent ghosts no matter how many times I tried to ignore them. I wanted to ask him questions. I wanted to know what he knew, but he asked me to trust him, and so I would.
"You promised," I said to him. I can't help the slight worry that came through my words.
"I did promise, and I will keep that promise," Asher says, standing up and placing a hand on my head before turning and walking away toward the back half of town.
Multiple vendors were still setting up the town square, and children ran around excitedly, looking at the different commodities. It was only 8:30 a.m., but I already had everything set up, so all that was left to do was stand there and look cute.
"Miss Maya, do we finally see the new Christmas cookies?" Emmett peaks up from over my booth, his nose running and still no jacket on. The tips of his ears are red from the cold.
I smile brightly at him and usher him around the booth, where I pull out a small basket that I had hidden underneath. His eyes light up as he stares at the array of different-shaped and decorated cookies—some gingerbread men, others Christmas trees, presents, and more.
I reached inside and grabbed a specific gingerbread that I had decorated just for him. It was an extra-large gingerbread man wearing a red jacket and white scarf.
"Here you go, dear. I made this one especially for you."
He goes to reach it, and I pull it back a second before his fingers can even touch it.
"But only a special boy with a jacket on can eat him." I stand up straight and look around. I wonder which little boy he belongs to?" I add a hint of dramatics to my voice, and Emmett puffs his cheeks out, frustrated in response.
"I don't need a jacket, Miss Maya; it's not even cold out," he stomps his feet.
"That's a shame. I was really excited to give this cookie away. But only children wearing jackets can eat cookies," I say dramatically, placing my hands on my hips.
"I think I have one. I'll be right back." Emmett races back toward the orphanage, nearly running over Emery in haste.
"Hi honey, I have something for you," I smile at her brightly. She walks over quietly and looks up at me but still has that oversized scarf wrapped around her.
I reach into the basket and pull out a small reindeer gingerbread cookie. She is wearing a scarf that matches hers exactly. Her eyes shine wide, and she reaches for it gently.
"Thank you," she says softly.
"Of course, honey. Make sure you stay warm today. You'll have to come by the shop later and tell me about all the fun things you did today."
She nodded her head excitedly and took a big bite of her cookie. She waves at me and begins to run off.
"Emery," I called out. "Give this to Emmett for me. Only after he puts a jacket on, yeah?" She nods her head and smiles before running off, waving as she goes.
"You would be amazing with kids, you know."
I spin around and see Simon standing there. His nose and cheeks are flushed red, and he's having trouble making eye contact with me.
"Maybe one day. I'm too busy to have any children at the moment." I turned away from him, hoping that the conversation would die there.
Simon was always a sweet boy. I had known one since I was 10 and first arrived here in town. He was my first friend that I had made here. However, after we hit 15, the friendship fizzled off as he only became interested in being around me romantically.
"You never know. It might complete you," he says, leaning against my booth. Seeing another man touch my booth besides Asher brought annoyance through the air around me.
"I feel rather complete now," I say, sighing and continuing to fumble with my baked goods.
Simon tried for years, with countless proposals and flowers, to win me over. Each time, I denied him, and each time, he returned more determined.
"You know my family is having dinner tonight if you'd like to join me-" he clears his throat. "Or us," he stutters.
"No, thank you," I turn back around and continue organizing my booth. I bring more pastries from underneath and try to fit them up top.
"Are you just gonna spend the festival evening alone like always?" Simon steps between me and my booth.
"No, I have company this year and will be doing dinner on our own," I huff.
Simon suddenly slams his hand down on the booth, knocking over a couple of cookies that I had sitting against a small decorated board.
"You mean that man you've been hanging around?" he laughs. " He's an absolute delinquent, Maya. Come on, you're better than that."
"Move, Simon," my voice is low-toned with a warning.
"Maya, I'm offering you a good life—just like I have been since we were young, and you know that I can provide that for you."
"And I don't want anything to do with that. I'm not interested in being just some pretty fucking wife for you. I don't want anything to do with you, " the word leaves me like a hiss.
My sharp words catch him off guard, and his eyes widen momentarily.
"You've changed ever since you started hanging around him-"
"What's changed? It couldn't possibly be my attitude towards you. I'm denying you the same that I've done every single time you've asked me to be yours over the past five years. Now take the hint and get the fuck out of my way Simon."
"Maya, you should know better than anyone else to watch your fucking tongue around certain people in this town." He grabs my wrist and lowers his voice to where only he and I can hear. "Don't mistake everyone's fucking pity for you for kindness. Just because you were fucking abandoned doesn't mean you're invincible."
My body shakes with anger, and I want nothing more than to hurt him. My sudden anger catches me off guard, and all the words seem to leave my mouth.
"Now, when you're done playing around with that damn stray dog, you know where to find me. Unless you just really want to live your life alone and barren in that dingy fucking shop."
"I'm not alone, Simon. " My voice is a low growl, and I slowly get in his face. "I have Asher."
"That's his name, huh? And what does he have to offer you? You don't want to be a wife, but you're perfectly fine being his common whor-" His words cut off, and he's glancing behind me over my shoulder.
"Finish your sentence."
My body shivers as Asher's voice wraps up from behind me and up my spine. I step back, pushing my back against his chest, and my body immediately warms up.
"So you're the man of the hour," Simon stutters out. He reaches for Asher with a shaky hand and takes it without hesitation.
"And you are?" Asher shakes his hand, and the sound of a small crack fills the air. Simon gasps out in pain and doubles over, his hand still firm in Asher's.
"This is Simon; he was just leaving." I turn around and pat Asher's chest. I smile up at Asher, relieved, and he looks at me momentarily before releasing Simon's hand.
Simon stares silently between Asher and me for a moment before getting up and mumbling a goodbye. He then walks away, clutching his hand in his other.
"You came," I look up at him, relief washing over my entire being.
"You called my name," he brushes his thumb over my cheek and tilts his head, smiling. He glances at my booth, gives a low whistle, and smiles to himself. "You've done amazing. It looks very cute."
"Thank you," I say. I can feel my face heating up, and I turn away.
Asher chuckles before walking over, kissing the top of my head, and running his fingers through my hair. "So much for me going far."
"Did you find anything useful?"
"Nothing useful at the moment," Asher looks as if he's lost in thought for a moment before returning his gaze to me. "I guess I should hang out with you the rest of the day. Keep all the bachelors away." He looks toward where Simon had walked away, and a glare crosses his eyes.
I roll my eyes and turn around to begin cleaning up the booth. Suddenly, Emmett runs back up, wearing a red jacket that is three sizes too big.
"I found it, Miss Maya!" He has cookie crumbs all over his mouth. "Can I have my cookie now?"
"You haven't had your cookie yet?" I say with a knowing smile.
"No," he wipes the crumbs off his face with the back of his hand. Emery runs up frantically.
"He's lying. I gave it to him already, and he ate his and mine!" Her eyes are red like she's about to cry.
"I'll tell you what, Emmett. You can come back later on, and if I have any leftovers, I'll give you one. But you two go enjoy the festival."
The two children run off bickering between each other, and Asher stares at me sweetly.
"Do you desire children?"
"I don't know. It's never been a question that I've given much thought to. I know right now I have no desire."
"Do you desire them in the future?"
"Maybe. But I'm happy with where I'm at right now." I glance at him, and he stares at me longingly.
Asher kisses the top of my head before walking around my booth and beginning to help me fix my display.