A few hours later, Maya and Riley were sitting on the couch, talking quietly about their hopes for Shawn and Katy.
"I don't know, Riles," Maya said. "They didn't seem to hit it off before, and they really don't seem into each other now."
"Don't give up, Maya!" Riley said, trying to encourage her. "They have so much in common that they have to at least be friends."
"But 'friends' doesn't mean he becomes family," Maya said, looking discouraged.
Riley looked sadly at her best friend, not knowing what to reply. Maya was losing hope, and Riley couldn't fix this one. At least, not directly.
"I know, Maya. But at least you have that for now. We always have the hope that it turns into something more, but at least you have Shawn in your life."
"What are you guys conniving about over there?" Shawn asked as he turned to the girls. "I hear whispers and it's obvious that you're having a serious discussion. Now come on, spill it."
"It's nothing, Uncle Shawn," Riley said. "We're just trying to guess what the other got my dad for his birthday," she continued, trying to cover up their conversation.
"Uh, huh," Shawn said, not buying the story. "You don't think I've had my share of whispered conversations? I was the champion of whispered conversations. And I know something's up when I see it."
Riley looked intently at Shawn and then raised her eyebrows.
"Whatever," he said tauntingly, turning his head back toward his conversation with the adults.
Riley turned to Maya and excitedly whispered, "I have an idea!"
Maya perked up and said, "Something to get my mom and Shawn together?"
Riley smiled enthusiastically and nodded.