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“I feel the same way.” Maia smiles, and it’s the first real one I’ve seen since dropping her off after dinner.
“Aha! Got a smile.”
“You trickster.” Maia elbows me playfully.
I hold my hands up in surrender. “I did not trick you. I’m just that charming.” I grin, and she laughs. The somber mood slightly lifts between us, and it feels good to know I’m cheering her up. All I want to do is keep seeing her gorgeous smile.
“I wish Alex were more like you.”
Her words settle between us.
I wish I was the one dating her.
I push away the thought. The last thing I need is a relationship before I graduate and move back home. But dammit, I can’t help the growing feelings. Or the fact that how she’s being treated is intolerable. Because he’s downright shitty to her, and no woman, especially not Maia with the kindest heart I know, should have to deal with his behavior.
“Why do you stay with him?”
Maia sighs again, her smile now gone. “I love him.”
I don’t expect those words to pierce my heart the way they do. Nor do I expect her to say that.
“Maybe what they say is true that love is blind. Because Maia, from what I’ve seen, he doesn’t love you.”
“Ouch,” Maia whispers, and I notice a tear slip down her cheek.
I reach out to touch her hand but then remember our boundaries. “I’m sorry, I didn’t want to hurt your feelings. I want to be upfront and honest with you. He doesn’t deserve you?—”
“I know, okay?” Maia snaps. “Can we head back now? Please?”
Why is she so defensive?
I need to turn this night around. I refuse to let us say good night with conflict brewing.
My parents always said never to go to bed angry. You might not be over what happened yet but always say good night.
“Sure.” I start the engine. “I don’t want to end the night on a bad note. So let’s just forget what I said, yeah? It’s your decision who you date. If you love Alex, then so be it. Who am I to say anything about it?”
“Thank you. I don’t mean to snap at you. I’m sorry. I’m more just ashamed, embarrassed, hell, even disappointed. And the worst part is that I love him. What the hell is wrong with me?”
“Nothing. Once you're in love with someone, you have blinders on. And I doubt he treated you badly at the beginning.”
“No. He was sweet, kind, and thoughtful. Now when I look back, I realize he was a bit over the top and said I love you within a week. But when you’re caught up in your first love, all you see is the magic and fairy dust.”
“Magic and fairy dust, hmm? I like that.”
Maia chuckles. “It’s all an illusion.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
“I’m telling you it is. One hundred percent.”
“That’s just your take now.”
“Have you ever been in love?”
“No. I mean, I guess. I don’t know. I thought I loved the girl I dated in high school. But when I found her making out with half the football team at our prom after-party, I didn’t care. I was waiting for something to happen so I’d have an excuse to break up with her.”
“Guess both our experiences with love sucks so far.”
