Alice smiles at me, which makes a change because I remember when they both hated my guts–they might still do, and they have every right. “Yeah, we’re good.”
“What are you guys talking about?” I say as I walk to the vacant sofa.
Jade and Alice share a quick glance, and it’s obvious from the look on Maya’s face she doesn’t want them to say anything. I frown. What did I miss?
“We’ve been invited to a party,” Alice pipes up, and Maya’s head falls into her hands. “It’s next weekend. It’s been a hot minute since we’ve all been together and gone out, you know? And I think Maya deserves a night off for once.”
“Alice,” Maya huffs. “One, I can’t afford it, and two, it’s a stupid idea.”
“You don’t have to pay for anything.” Jade waves a hand. “I’ll drive us there, and we can get alcohol on the way. It’s no big deal.”
Maya’s eyes flick to mine, and worry crosses her expression. The word alcohol doesn’t necessarily trigger me, it’s how people talk about it and in what context.
“I can’t,” she exhales. “Need to be here for Skye.”
My forehead pinches. “No. Maya, you should go.”
Her face falls. “What?”
“I can look after Skye. I’m not doing anything next weekend, and the girls are right. You deserve to have a night off. Godknows I had far too many nights out when we were together. I would never judge you for that.”
“But—”
“Stop trying to make excuses.” Alice grabs her shoulder. “It’s one night. We’re going to have fun, you need time to have fun, Maya.”
Maya’s eyes lift to meet mine, and guilt swarms between her irises.
“You should enjoy your last year of university,” I say sincerely. “It’s just one party, you deserve a night off, let your hair down. I’ve got Skye.”
“You sure?” she asks warily.
“Yeah, sunshine. I’m sure.”
She chews on the inside of her lip before saying, “Okay.”
Alice and Jade squeal as they discuss outfits and whatever else it is girls talk about. I dismiss myself to Maya’s bedroom, where Skye is awake in her cot. I lean over the edge and gently brush my finger over her cheek. She stares at me with eyes I’ll never not be able to fall in love with.
“Hi, baby,” I whisper as she wriggles her arms. “I missed you so much.”
Her chubby cheeks are possibly the cutest things I’ve ever seen. I can’t stop admiring her. It’s like every time I’m stuck in a trance, and I’m seeing her for the first time all over again.
“Hey,” I hear behind me as Maya leans against the cot. “The girls are gone.”
My head twists, and I glance down at her. Big brown eyes, dark hair scraped back so I can see every inch of her perfect face. My insides melt like butter as she smiles up at me.
“Hey,” I whisper back.
“Are you sure about the party?”
I nod. “I’m positive.”
“I won’t drink,” she clarifies.
“You can do what you want, Maya.”
She frowns instantly. “No, I can’t. Especially not if you’re going to be here when I get back, that’s not fair, and I refuse to put you through that.”
My heart strains at her words. I’ve stepped foot in a pub a couple of times since my rehabilitation, and I have to admit the smell of beer can be incredibly overwhelming and hard to resist.
