AllFreeNovel
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Ten minutes later, we’re in my car, driving along the Pacific Coast Highway. A spur-of-the-moment kind of trip, my favorite type. We’re really only driving a town over to a pizza pub I found freshman year. It’s the best around, and believe me, I’ve tried lots around. I miss my spot back home; the food is always top-tier.
With the windows down and the music blaring, Maia dances in the passenger seat, her hair blowing every which way. Her mood lifted when we got in the car, and I could tell she was excited for the ride.
After we’re seated and our food’s ordered, I lean back and my gaze naturally travels over Maia. She notices, her cheeks now crimson, with a playful grin on her face.
I need to get to know this girl. “So, tell me, besides watching scary movies, what else does Maia like to do?”
“Hmm.” She taps her lip in an adorable way. “I love to read mystery novels. I make jewelry and love to shop for new beads or pieces to create with. I’m hoping to get an online business going. Oh, and I volunteer at the orphanage nearby.”
“Wow. Impressive.”
Maia looks away, suddenly looking timid, and shrugs like it’s no big deal. But I think it’s pretty damn cool. “You use your limited free time to help those in need. Not many would. I think that’s pretty awesome.”
She toys with her napkin. “The kids are the reason. They’re really great.”
“I bet. I love kids. The ones I don’t live with, that is.” I smirk.
Maia chuckles. “You’re lucky to have so many siblings.”
“Ha. I beg to differ.”
“I don’t know; I would’ve loved some.”
My shoulders sink. Shit, I’m an ass.
“I’m an idiot. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have?—”
Maia shakes her head. “No, Rhett, stop. It’s okay. I’m sure if I grew up with that many siblings, they’d piss me off too.” Her warm smile sends tingles in places it shouldn’t.
My posture relaxes. “What do you help the kids with at the orphanage?”
“Well, arts and crafts, of course.” Maia’s face lights up. “Sometimes we do jewelry, sometimes pottery, a lot of times painting and drawing. Or even just coloring.”
“You love it, huh?”
Maia’s smile widens. “I do. I started volunteering there during my freshman year. I reached out to them while still in my senior year of high school a few towns over from here. At the recommendation of the orphanage I grew up in, I sent an email introducing myself. Told them my plans to come here to Sierra Cove and study social work. They offered volunteer work. They also allowed me to do an internship with them during my junior year. The kids have definitely grown on me.”
“They have a way of doing that.” I love how happy she looks talking about it.
“One of the supervisors put in a good word for me to secure a position there after graduation. It’s an amazing opportunity but I haven’t decided whether I want to stay here in Sierra Cove or go back to my hometown, or hell, go wherever I want. I don’t have ties anywhere, honestly.”
“You’re free as a bird. I’m envious.”
“Why?”
“My parents want me to move back home to Florida. They want us all close together, but I’m kind of enjoying the distance. Not that I don’t miss them, because I do. I’ve visited a couple of times over the summer breaks. But it’s nice to feel like my own person, too.”
Maia starts to say something when our food arrives and interrupts.
“Mmm, it smells so good,” Maia says before popping a fry in her mouth. She takes a big bite of her steak and cheese sub, and small moans escape her lips.
I’ve already inhaled half a slice of pizza. “All that sun and sand worked up a big appetite for us both.” I lift a slice of pizza and nod my head toward her.
Maia laughs around a mouthful of sandwich. She covers her mouth and swallows. “You’re gonna make me choke.”
“Don’t laugh with food in your mouth, then,” I tease.
“Don’t make me laugh.” She sticks out her tongue before dipping a fry in ketchup. She licks the ketchup off and dips it again, tossing it into her mouth and repeating the same process with the next fry.
