Notes: Disclaimer is with the first chapter. Not much to say except to leave reviews. They are much appreciated. Umm…so off we go.
6:30PM Friday, July 14, Maya's apartment
Maya Gallo was in her apartment getting ready for the Barry Manilow concert. All she had to do was put on her outfit because her hair and make-up were already finished. Hearing a knock on her front door, she put on her robe and approached the door. A slight smile formed on her lips as she looked out the peephole and saw Dennis Finch standing there fidgeting. *Ah, how cute. He looks nervous…like he's getting ready to meet his date.* Pausing for a second, Maya considered, *Well, I guess he is sort of. We are going out tonight even if it is just as friends.* Pulling the door open, she said, "Hey Finch, come on in. I've just got to finish getting ready. I'm almost done."
Finch's eyes followed Maya' bare legs as she disappeared into the back of her apartment. Smirking to himself, he thought, *Or we can just forget the concert and see what is under that robe.* Grinning to himself, Finch leaned over and plucked an old copy of Blush magazine off Maya's coffee table. He flipped through it without really seeing anything. His mind was elsewhere. *I know that Nina was wrong. I know she was. Maya wouldn't use someone like that. And that kiss we almost shared the other day…that was mutual. She wouldn't almost kiss me if she didn't feel something for me.* Sighing, Dennis asked himself, *Why would Nina say something like that? Probably because she wants to make everyone else as miserable as she is. Now there is someone who really needs to find herself a guy…and not a one-night stand kind of guy.*
Dennis suddenly heard Maya's voice come from out in the hall. "Okay, Finch here I come. I want your truthful opinion on how I look." Maya walked into the living room. Finch glanced up at her, and his breath caught in his throat. Finch just stared at the vision in front of him with widened eyes and an open mouth. Maya had put up her hair and had little wisps hanging around her face. She was wearing a curve-fitting red dress with black strappy heels. After self-consciously smoothing her dress, Maya ventured, "Okay Finch, say something. You're looking at me like I'm a freak or something. Look, I'll just go change."
As Maya was turning, Finch exclaimed, "No!!" When Maya looked at him, he said, "You umm…look great Maya. I was just a little caught off guard. I've never actually seen you in anything other than business attire…and a robe." Maya rolled her eyes at the last part. Finch smirked and continued, "But seriously, you look beautiful. There's no reason for you to change."
Maya blushed and uttered, "Uh…thanks. *Wow, he sounds like he actually means it. I've never really seen myself as the beautiful type. I've always considered myself ordinary.* Smiling to herself, she thought, *He called me beautiful. Dennis Finch thinks I'm beautiful. Why does that take my breath away?* Grabbing her purse, she asked, "You ready to go?"
Patting the couch next to him, Finch said , "Uhh…Maya. You might want to sit down for a second. I have something I need to tell you."
Maya walked slowly over to the couch. She saw the insecure look on Finch's face, and as she sat down, she placed her hand on his arm and asked in a worried voice, "What's the matter, Finch?" *God, I hope it's nothing serious. He's not dying is he? Oh god, he's got cancer or some other hideous disease. I don't want him to die.*
In a quiet voice, he answered, "Umm…Nina knows."
*Okay, that wasn't what I expected him to say…but, at least, he's not dying.* Her eyes showed her confusion as she inquired, "What does Nina know exactly?"
Looking slightly embarrassed, Finch said, "Well, it seems that she's been spying on us. She knows about the concert, and the zoo, and the monkeys. She also knows about what happened in the kitchen the other day."
Maya stared at Finch in disbelief. "She's been SPYING on us?" Finch slowly nodded his head. "God, I can't believe her." Maya noticed a slightly sad look on Finch's face. "Okay Finch, out with the rest. She said something else didn't she?"
Not meeting Maya's eyes, Finch replied, "Uhh…she might have said that...umm.. you basically didn't give a crap about me. That you were pretending to be my friend for your amusement." Finch saw Maya's eyes narrow in anger; however, the anger was not directed at him. Feeling slightly better, he decided to rat on Nina fully, "I vaguely remember her saying something about how you would rather have an enema than spend time with me."
Maya suddenly exploded, "That bitch! How dare she presume to know me!" *How in the hell could she say something so cruel. God, I hope he didn't believe her.* Glancing at Finch, she noticed that he still looked slightly unsure of himself. Leaning over, she said, "I hope you didn't believe her, Dennis. It's not true. If I didn't consider you a friend, I wouldn't be hanging out with you." Gathering up her courage, she continued, "Actually, I would probably rank you as one of my best friends so don't believe what she told you."
Finch's face lit up with a huge smile and he absolutely beamed with happiness. *She actually called me one of her best friends. Talk about progress. Take that Nina!* Standing up, he helped Maya off the couch, and they walked to the front door. Opening the door, Finch smiled down at Maya and said, "Manilow, here we come!" After Maya locked the door, Finch offered Maya his arm and they set off down the hall arm in arm.