Chapter 4
four
MAYA
Waking up Monday morning is a leisurely thing, something I haven’t experienced in months. There are no flights to catch, no appointments to scurry off to, just the smell of coffee already brewing in the air. My muscles release pent up tension as I stretch each limb, twisting and curling into myself, feeling all of it deep in my bones.
Just two days ago, I woke up planning to get married. I woke up with a sense of dread, with a to-do list in my head of wedding day necessities. Now, I reflect on the morning from hell that turned into a weekend full of joy.
How long has it been since I was surrounded by this much love? Our movie night on Saturday not only provided the best brownies I’ve ever eaten, but the best cuddles too. Theo and Liam had taken the couch while Ellie, Stevie, Poppy and I tangled together on the floor cushions. Poppy fell asleep with her head on my chest, leaving the T-shirt I borrowed from Ellie covered in the most adorable stain of drool.
I had only been in Sugar Valley for a few hours, only met the neighbors that very afternoon, and somehow I was already adopted into this little family. A family that baked brownies and watched movies on the living room floor. A family that considered pajamas acceptable clothing for social events and dinner whatever amalgam of snacks we wanted it to be.
Yesterday, Ellie was feeling a little better. She even said that my surprise visit was the medicine she needed. We took Stevie with us to go apple picking at a nearby farm, something I’ve been wanting to do for years. It’s strange how we say we want to do something, and then put it off for ages, for no reason at all.
Why is it that we make time for the things we feel we have to do, the mundane tasks or grueling work, but when it comes to something that we simply want , it always gets put on the backburner?
How many times over the last two years did I say I wanted to visit Ellie but put it off for another month? And then another, and another. And for what? Dumb excuses like letting her have more alone time with Theo during the honeymoon phase, or letting Ryan convince me that Vermont can’t compare to Aspen even when my best friend is here.
I promise myself that next time I want to see Ellie, I won’t let anything get in my way.
After we got home from the farm, with a trunk full of every apple variety, Ellie convinced Liam to come over with Poppy and make cobbler. We all gorged on three different desserts he made. The house smelled so good I never wanted to leave.
Theo greets me when I finally exit my bedroom. He’s bouncing Stevie in his arms while simultaneously preparing something for her in the kitchen.
“Here, let me help,” I say, taking the baby. The kitchen has been mostly cleaned since the mayhem of cobbler-fest last night, but it still has that lived-in quality that I’ve never been able to reproduce. Pans waiting on the drying rack, a dishwasher that seems to be half-full no matter the day or time, a fruit bowl that’s still overflowing.
Ryan and I never cooked. We both had jobs that kept us busy and traveling regularly. If it wasn’t for the espresso machine and a few mugs in the sink, you’d never know anyone lived in the apartment at all. I think I’ll be happy to never go back there.
“Thanks, My. Ellie’s still in bed. I think yesterday took a lot out of her.”
“Oh no,” I murmur, guilt flooding my gut. “I shouldn’t have suggested?—”
“You did nothing wrong. I know she had a great time. This flare just doesn’t want to end for some reason. I know she told you it started last week, but I think it’s been going on longer than that. I’m gonna call Ezra and see what he thinks we should do.” I raise an eyebrow at the name. Theo and Ellie’s brother were best friends for a long time. I’m not really sure where they stand now. “He’s been helping a ton with Stevie, spending a lot of time down here. And keeping an eye on Ellie. He wants her to be healthy more than anyone.”
“That’s good.” I’ve only met Ezra a handful of times and he seems great, even if I know he wasn’t always the best brother. He clearly cares about his sister, and it never hurts having a doctor in the family when you’re chronically ill.
Theo finishes plating Stevie’s food and we work together to put her squirmy little body in the high chair. For some reason whenever she eats there, she has to put her left foot up on the tray. Theo tries to force it down a few times, but she keeps popping it back up. It’s like her own little baby rebellion. My own parents would be appalled by the table manners, even from a toddler. I silently applaud her bravado.
“I’m gonna take her to the park for a bit. Do you need anything? There’s lots of food in the fridge,” he offers.
“I have some work to do, actually. Can I borrow Ellie’s car? Maybe I’ll head over to the diner and grab something to eat while I go through my email.” I try to sound casual, as if I haven’t been counting down the seconds until I can eat Liam’s food again.
Theo smiles and hands me the keys. “Get a milkshake.”
My inbox is a nightmare. Ever since I relocated to New York two and a half years ago I’ve been flooded with requests to feature every type of business you can imagine. It’s the strangest thing. Apparently, living in New York makes every business in Florida think I’ll be coming their way soon enough.
I may have been born in Brazil, but I despise humidity.
When I first moved to New York, I was excited to get my blog going again. Ellie and I had sold our website, and my work with Dad was pretty minimal. But as he started asking for help more and more, I sort of let the blog wither and die. I still try to feature local businesses on my social media, but I should probably close my inquiry page for now.
Before I even attempt to sift through the email overload, I message my assistant to tell him my decision. I know I’ll be happier putting more of my energy into Bloom Hotels. It’s always been the goal.
And after the conversation I had with Dad yesterday, I’d love to score some brownie points with him by working together more. He didn’t take the Ryan news well, especially considering that he was such a big supporter of the elopement idea—who can take off work for a wedding anyway? He was mostly disappointed about the families no longer joining together. The word dynasty was uttered more than once.
“Maya.”
I pull my gaze away from my laptop to find Liam standing across from me, behind the bar counter. “Hi.” I shut my laptop with a loud click. “How are you?”
His gaze falls heavily on me, something like frustration settling over his features. “It’s finally just you and me. I assume you’re here to talk?”
Huh? I cock my head, let him know with a look how strange of a greeting that was.
“Actually,” I say, dragging out the word. “I was hoping for a milkshake. Maybe some lunch? Though I wouldn’t turn down some polite conversation.” Does he know how to be polite? He seems nice enough and he’s clearly an amazing father, but I’m still flummoxed by the way he talks to me. Or how he knew about my obsession with brownies. That was…eery, albeit delicious.
I paste on my cheeriest smile, but he just squints at me, like I’m the weird one. A few moments pass and I realize we’re in a silent standoff, a really strange standoff. My grin is slipping and probably looking maniacal by now. His scowl only gets deeper. Finally, he concedes with a loud huff and walks away.
What the hell?
The sounds of the kitchen fill the air as I wonder what just happened. A flat top sizzle as I question if he’s coming back. The whirring of a blender as I debate if I should ask the hostess to take my order. As weird as Liam is to me, I still really want to eat his food and my stomach started growling on my way here.
Seconds later he’s back, and he’s placing a dark brown milkshake in front of me. “Here.”
So much for being polite. My eyes travel over to the chalkboard sign announcing today’s specials. End of summer salad —whatever that means— charred pineapple turkey burger and the milkshake of the day: tropical vanilla .
“This doesn’t look like vanilla?” I question when I look at Liam. His arms are crossed over his chest but he hasn’t moved away from me. I’m starting to wonder if the guy doesn’t like me or if he’s just always this strange and Ellie and Theo are used to it.
“You like chocolate,” is his response, which is true, but I’m still not sure how he knows it. I’d be surprised if Ellie didn’t mention me once in a while, but would she really tell people my favorite foods? Well, he is a chef… “It has strawberries, too, and some other things. Trust me, you’ll like it.” He nods and I’m now aware he’s waiting for me to taste it.
I take a quick glance around to make sure that mysterious cat isn’t going to pounce and then I pull the straw toward my lips. Okay, he’s right. I like it. I more than like it. I want to make babies with this milkshake and then possibly eat those babies. Wait, no, that’s gross. But I would like to bathe in it. A whole tub full of chocolate and strawberries and… “Ginger?”
“Good tongue.” His expression is impressed for a split second before he seems to realize what he said. But then he smirks. The look is almost smug. And once again, I think, what the hell? “Want something to eat?” he asks.
“Yes, I’m starving, actually. Can—” He walks away. But this is a diner, not Gairdín, and I can see him in the kitchen, so I yell, “I’ll have the turkey burger!”
And just when I think he’s done surprising me with his rudeness, he yells back, “No you won’t!”
Liam made me corn cakes. The corn cakes. And some delicious salad-like thing on the side that I can’t really describe. He even said, “Make sure you eat your veggies,” when he set the plate down. What a dad.
But I’m kind of in heaven. The milkshake was already other-wordly, then this? He’s not exactly nice to me, not even a little bit, but having a man cook for me, cook food this good, it’s making me swoon a little. I find myself checking to see where in the restaurant he is because I’m finished and want to lick my plate.
How does he know me so well? It’s like he and my taste buds have some shared history, maybe an affair in a past life. Sigh.
“Still wish you’d had the turkey burger?” he asks, grabbing my very empty plate.
“I didn’t realize that was on the menu,” I say pointedly. “But I’m glad I could give you a chance to show off. Exactly how many times a day does your ego need to be stroked?”
To my surprise, he laughs at this. It’s not a full belly laugh, but the smile is deep, dimples I didn’t know existed slowly revealing themselves like flickers of light. Damn.
“What are you doing here, Maya?” It’s definitely an accusation, but his voice carries exhaustion with it, almost like he’s been asking himself this question for days.
“I was just getting lunch. Wanted to let Ellie rest. If you want me to leave?—”
“Not here . What are you doing in Sugar Valley?”
“Visiting my best friend?” I’m not sure why it comes out as a question. That’s exactly what I’m doing. And also, maybe escaping a bit. Trying to figure out where the hell my life is headed. Liam Harley doesn’t need to know that part.
His gaze settles on me, like he’s trying to piece together the puzzle, like I’m actually some big mystery. Joke’s on him. I’ve always wanted to be the mysterious type, to keep so many secrets they’re ready to burst out of me. In reality, I would tell my entire life story to a stranger on the subway.
The only secret I’ll ever have is the big one. And even that, I wish I could share it. Ironic, really. But then it would be a burden for someone else to bear, if they even believed me.
Liam’s jaw is still working in concentration and I feel the need to break it. “Why don’t you want me here? What’s your problem with me? And how do you know all my favorite foods? It’s equally awesome and creepy.”
The man of few words is silent again, only responding with the deep furrow of his brow and the parting of his lips again and again and again. He can’t decide what to say and I feel a little exhilarated to have won this round of our power struggle.
“ Maya ,” he finally says, emphasizing every letter somehow. He says my name like it’s a prayer, a plea even. His eyes meet mine and I know my expression mirrors his own, because all I have are more questions, a million of them.
We both jump when a buzzing sound vibrates on the counter, his cell phone.
“Liam Harley,” he answers. That face full of curiosity has shifted. Even the color changes. It’s starting to match his copper hair. “You’ve got to be—there’s no way in—fine. I’ll be right there.”
I swear I can see smoke coming out of his nostrils. He is raging. Maybe even…hyper-ventillating? It scares me how upset he looks.
“What happened?” I ask.
But he ignores me, or maybe he doesn’t even hear me. “Belinda!” he yells. “I’ve gotta go get Poppy. I’ll be back when I can.” And he races out the door.
I’m not sure why, but I pack up my laptop as quickly as possible and fly after him.
“What the hell are you doing?” Liam yells as I catch up to him.
“Following you? I have no idea what just happened but you look like your head is about to explode. Or is it implode? I never know which one makes more sense.”
“Jesus, I’m just walking over to Poppy’s school.” He crosses the street and starts stomping through the very idyllic town square.
“Is she okay?” I ask. He barely notices me, too busy dragging his hands over his face and hair until his bun is almost completely loose. He just keeps repeating the same whispered, “what the fuck,” over and over. When he doesn’t respond I try again. “What’s going on? You’re freaking me out.”
“They called her a fucking bully. What the fuck.”
“Called who a bully? Poppy? ” I spit the name out incredulously and he throws me a look that says my thoughts exactly . “Absolutely not. No way. You must have misunderstood them or something.”
His voice comes out as barely a whisper. “They said she made a boy cry.”
What? There’s no way that can be right. Sure, I’ve only met the girl a few times, but she is an absolute angel. She made everyone watch Frozen together because she thought it would cheer me up.
We get to the school entrance and I know I shouldn’t be involved in this. I know Liam is practically a stranger and his daughter is none of my business. And yet, I can’t seem to stop myself from following him inside.