A/N: Since last chapter's author's note was lengthy, I thought I'd keep this one short. I'm happy you all liked Josh's tattoo and Maya's sketch from the last chapter, and that Joel's sensing something else regarding Maya's "feelings." Also, I hope you all remember Maya's mustard scarf that she left at Josh's apartment because it's gonna play an important part in this chapter ;)

Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter 15: The Holiday Rush

Topanga's was understaffed.

The temperature outside fell even lower down the negatives, and those hustling to get their Christmas shopping done were in demand of something hot to warm themselves. When Maya saw Auggie struggling to keep up with the influx of customers behind the register, she decided to grab an apron for herself. She knew if she were here, Riley wouldn't have second guessed about assisting.

Maya worked on fixing five mochas, four cappuccinos, three chocolate malts, two strawberry banana milkshakes, and a green tea latte for a huge group of friends that walked into Topanga's ten minutes ago. From alongside her, Auggie had his hands full, tending to the voluminous number of pastries and sandwiches the same group of friends ordered.

The bell above the entrance door jingled, announcing the arrival of a new customer. Maya chanced a quick glance over her shoulder and saw Josh sauntering in. She then turned her attention to the clock above her and noted that it was past five, which meant Josh was done with work.

"Hey, Maya," Josh greeted as he stood off the side of the long line of customers. "Don't tell me you're working here now, too."

Without turning around, Maya answered, "No, I'm not. Topanga's is understaffed today, so I thought I'd help out—at least until the influx lessens." She paused as she topped the last of the chocolate malts with a dollop of whipped cream. "Anyway, what brings you here? I know we don't really have a fixed schedule on when we're meeting to work on your proposal, but did we agree on doing something today?"

"No, but I was hoping you could help me with something," Josh answered.

Maya looked at him apologetically. "Is it important?" she questioned.

"Sort of," Josh replied, his fingers drummed the countertop in an anxious manner. "I also have something I need to tell you, and it's now important for the both of us because . . . well, it concerns you."

"Me?" Maya asked. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she began mixing the other drinks the massive group of friends ordered.

"I think this is a topic we don't want to be talking about while you've got your hands full," Josh noted. "I can wait for you to finish, I don't mind."

"I mean if you're sure, then yeah, I'll join you when I'm done," Maya responded with a smile.

"I'll just be right over there," Josh informed, hooking a thumb over his shoulder. When Maya nodded, he stalked toward a corner table and perched himself comfortably on a chair.

"You look like you could use a hand with that," came a voice from beside Maya.

A breath of relief escaped Maya's lips upon seeing Riley, her hands reaching behind her back as she secured a maroon apron around her waist with a knot. "Yes, please," she replied. "All this running around, fetching different ingredients for these drinks and placing them under the mixers, is a cardio workout in poor disguise."

Riley chuckled. "Please, like you don't enjoy the extra exercise," she taunted. She grabbed the rest of the empty tall glasses Maya had yet to tend to and began mixing the other drinks. Her hands worked quickly, brought on by her years worth of experience mixing malts and milkshakes.

"I take it your presence here means that school is officially on winter break?" Maya queried as she and Riley worked side by side.

Riley smiled. "I love my kids, but this teacher badly needs a break."

"That I can understand."

It was silent between the two best friends after, their own hands busy with the group's gigantic order. Maya snuck a peek over her shoulder at Josh. A small smile appeared on her face when she saw him sitting at his corner table, thumbing through his phone to keep himself occupied. Then, her eyes diverted to Auggie working as fast as he could with the other customers' orders. Helping him was Lucas, whose presence took Maya by surprise. She knew he was a busy man who carried a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders, and catching him out of office so early in the day was a miracle.

Minutes had passed and Riley and Maya finished the massive order. Together, they carried the drinks and treats to the group's table, serving each member their correct demands. Once executed, Riley and Maya returned to the counter and admired the look of contentment plastered on each person's faces. They sipped on their drinks and bit into their treats, continuing on with their discussion.

"All right, you can go now," Riley told Maya, dusting her hands on her apron.

Maya's eyes fell on the line of customers still waiting to ring their orders. "Are you sure?" she asked. "It looks like the line isn't gonna diminish anytime soon. More people are still coming in."

Riley glanced at Josh, a knowing smile on her face. "Something tells me it's Romeo o'clock," she teased. "Go ahead, we won't mind."

"We?"

As though summoned, Auggie and Lucas sauntered toward them, holding order tickets in their hands and wearing the goofiest grins on their faces.

"A little birdie told us you've got a special client in your hands right now," Lucas said with a taunting smirk. "Honestly, I feel so betrayed that you didn't tell me about your deal with him when you first introduced us last Thanksgiving."

Maya's eyes snapped toward Riley, who bit her bottom lip to prevent herself from laughing. "Riley!" she cried out, eyes widening.

"I'm sorry, but you know I've got a big mouth," Riley defended.

"Go ahead, Maya," Lucas encouraged.

Auggie nodded. "I might not be well-informed on whatever situation you guys got going on, but it looks like he needs you more than we need you," he supplied before he strutted back toward the register to assist the next customer.

"That wasn't the case a while ago, wasn't it?" Maya countered, lifting a brow at her two friends.

"But that's the case now, isn't it?" Lucas retaliated.

Maya kept her mouth shut, finding herself giving in. She untied her apron and marched toward the back room to hang it on the wall. When she returned, Lucas and Riley were looking at her as though they knew something cheeky that she didn't know of.

"Will you guys stop looking at me like that?" Maya uttered. "You both are so creepy."

"Go get him, Maya," Lucas mocked.

Maya gaped at him. "I feel betrayed, Lucas. I really do."

"That makes us even."

"Go now," Riley said as she turned Maya around and grabbed her by the shoulders, pushing her toward Josh's general direction.

"All right, I'm going!" Maya declared, putting her hands up in mock surrender. "Jeez, you two. I see now why you're married to each other."

Lucas and Riley didn't attempt to push more of Maya's buttons after that. As their friend made her way to Josh, the married couple returned to their tasks at hand. Lucas began cleaning up the mess he created when he and Auggie were prepping the sandwiches. Riley, too, was doing the same with the numerous spills she and Maya made.

Maya felt bad that she left her friends with the customers, but Josh did say that he came to her because of something important. She had to remind herself that she should prioritize her job as an event coordinator more than playing pretend barista at Topanga's.

"Hey," Maya greeted the second she arrived at Josh's table. "I'm sorry I kept you waiting. If it weren't for Lucas and Riley kicking me out from the behind the counter, you'd probably be waiting for another hour or so."

Josh shook his head. "It's fine. It was no big deal," he responded.

Maya took a seat on the chair opposite him, but as her rear end hit the soft cushion of the seat, Josh pulled her back up to her feet. His grip on her wrist was firm yet gentle.

"What are you doing?" Maya questioned, her eyebrows furrowing together.

"I need your help with something," Josh answered as they exited the coffee shop.

Maya instinctively wrapped her arms around her body as the freezing air welcomed her. She turned to Josh and informed him that she'd run back inside to grab her winter coat. Within a few minutes, Maya rejoined him outside, wearing a thick parka that provided her the warmth she needed.

Josh and Maya began walking, although only one of them knew their destination.

"So, I didn't actually kidnap you today so we can work on Sophie's poem," Josh confessed as turned a corner.

Maya followed after Josh, increasing her pace to match his strides. "Then, what are we doing today?" she questioned.

"We're Christmas shopping," Josh informed with a huge grin like he found that particular activity so exhilarating beyond belief.

"Wait, we're going shopping?" Maya asked, feeling excited herself. "Who are we shopping for?"

"Sophie."

"Ooh, what are you gonna get her?" Maya enthused, nudging Josh's side with her elbow.

"And that's the part where you come in."

"What am I supposed to be doing?"

"Like I said, I want to get something for Sophie, but I'm not entirely sure what to get her," Josh explained. "I figured it'd probably be smart to bring someone that might have an idea on what she might like."

They turned another corner again and soon enough, the tall building with the huge letters spelling 'Manhattan Shopping Mall' on its facade stood a few yards away from them. Shoppers streamed in and out of the building's glass doors, numerous shopping bags hanging from their arms.

"And you decided to bring me," Maya deadpanned.

"I mean, you're a woman, so . . ."

Maya heaved a sigh. "I don't think I'm qualified to help you on this department, Josh. Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I understand all the women in the world," she reasoned. "Besides, you know Sophie better than I do. You've known her since you were, like, I don't know—eighteen? Nineteen?"

"Aw, come on. I've told you stories about her, so I think you at least have the slightest bit of idea of what Sophie is like—and you've hung out with her before," Josh argued.

"Yeah, but I only know the things you told me about her and the things I've personally gathered about her. We haven't really bonded the way I do with Riley or with any of my other friends for that matter," Maya retaliated.

The two of them entered the mall and were instantly bombarded with the spirit of Christmas. Everywhere they looked, stores sold shelves upon shelves of Christmas decorations, as well as countless racks of festive sweaters. A holiday playlist blared through the overhead loudspeakers, the melodic tune permeating throughout the entire shopping mall.

"Okay, here's what we'll do then," Josh began as he whisked Maya toward the first clothing store he spotted. "You pick out something—whether it's based on what I've told you about Sophie or it's based on what you know about her—and then we'll see if it's something that she'd like."

"I'm still not pretty convinced that tactic will work, but if you insist," Maya responded with a shrug. If Josh went to her for help, he must really be having a hard time choosing this year's Christmas present for his girlfriend.

"Great!" Josh cheered. "Let's get started, shall we?"

"How about this one?" Maya queried as she produced a royal red maxi dress with sequins decorating the gartered waistline. "I've seen Sophie in red before and the color definitely suits her."

Josh examined the dress before he shook his head in disapproval. "No," he uttered. "It looks like a dress some high school girl would wear to prom."

Maya took her own look at the dress. Her face instantly soured when she realized that Josh's opinion was agreeable. She put the tacky dress back in the rack, thinking that Sophie deserved something classier than that one.

Browsing through the remainder of the rack, Maya pulled out yet another long dress. This time, it was a seductive beige piece that shimmered under the store's bright fluorescent lights. It had a plunging neckline with the front tailored to cover the littlest bit of the breast area while its back meant to cover nothing. Had the flowing skirt of the dress went a tad lower at the back, Sophie's upper intergluteal cleft would be in broad display.

"Ooh, I think you'll like this one, Josh," Maya mocked with a suggestive wiggle of her eyebrows.

Upon setting his sights on the revealing dress, Josh blanched, eyes widening in horror. "Sophie is not the type to wear that kind of stuff," he informed, attempting to compose himself. "I've seen her wear some daring pieces before, but she's not one to venture toward that."

Maya nodded in agreement. "So, no boobs and no butt cracks," she murmured. "Noted."

Putting the sultry dress back to where she found it amongst the selection of potential prom dresses, Maya abandoned the rack and moved on to a different one. Instantly, she recognized that the collection of dresses on the new rack was more expensive-looking, yet it suited Sophie's clothing preferences.

Maya browsed through the first couple pieces until she carried out a sleeved purple amethyst dress. It wasn't as provocative as the beige one she presented a while ago, but it nonetheless had a neckline that showed a little cleavage. Moreover, the back side was covered entirely, which met Sophie's criteria. The upper section of the dress was skin tight; the bottom part was still tight along the hips and the thighs, but it loosened at the knees, yielding the breathable room for Sophie to move her legs around. The dress was classy and overall pleasant to the eyes.

"Josh, look at this one," Maya instructed, holding up the dress by its hanger, obstructing her view of him. She peeked her head around the dress to look at Josh and added, "This color's perfect for Sophie, don't you think?"

"I'm starting to think you have a fetish for long dresses," Josh declared.

"Why?" Maya asked, looking at the length of the purple dress. "What's so wrong about long dresses? They look regal, which supports your thought of Sophie as your princess. Plus, this would look amazing on her! I think the color would compliment her skin tone very well."

Josh inspected the dress, though he didn't feel like it was the one he was looking for. He shook his head, and Maya placed the dress back in the rack with a sigh.

"How about you? I've been showing you dresses after dresses, but you've yet to ask my opinion on one," Maya remarked as her hands kept flicking through the rack.

"How about this one? This looks like something you would wear," Josh mocked, pulling a bright magenta dress from the rack.

Maya placed her hands on her hips. "I don't know where you got the impression that that 'looks like something I would wear,'" she replied with a chuckle. "Really, Josh? Bright magenta? You could do better than that."

Josh laughed. "Seriously, though. I haven't found anything that I like," he answered.

"Well, how about this one?" Maya inquired as she extracted a dress from the rack.

From what Maya could gather as she held the dress against her body, the piece was made of delicate white fabric. Its high neckline and elbow-length sleeves gave the dress its formal look. The waistline was cinched to hug the curves perfectly, and the skirt draped loosely and fell just above the knees.

Josh grew silent as his eyes took in the dress, scrutinizing every part and crevice of the dress where the stitch lines were visible. His eyes moved up and down the dress until it went higher to meet Maya's. He wasn't sure what prompted it, but Josh found himself unable to avert his gaze from her bright blue eyes.

Shifting her weight from one foot to another, Maya cleared her throat, feeling exposed under Josh's stare. The white dress was still pressed against her body when Josh broke free from his trance, shaking his head and breaking the eye contact.

"So?" Maya inquired. "Is this dress the one?"

As though he'd forgotten that Maya was expecting his opinion of the dress, Josh skimmed the piece again and swayed his head. "No," he answered, his voice low. "I like that one, but . . ."

"Sophie wouldn't like it?" Maya supplied, biting her lower lip.

"No," Josh answered. He returned his attention back to the rack he was inspecting.

Maya kept quiet after that. She browsed the remainder of the rack before she moved to another one. As her hand felt the fabric of a black sleeveless turtleneck dress, a thought found its way back to her mind. "Josh?" she called.

"Yeah?"

"You mentioned earlier that you had something important to say that concerns me. What was it?"

Josh's eyes met Maya's as a look of concern passed over his features. Abandoning his rack of dresses, he strode toward where she stood and declared, "Sophie thinks I'm cheating on her."

Maya's eyebrows rose in surprise. "And what led her to think that you are?" she asked, then her eyes widened as realization dawned on her. "Oh, my God. Did we blow our cover?"

Shaking his head, Josh pulled out a mustard scarf from his messenger bag and handed it to Maya. "I told her the scarf is yours," he said.

"Oh, no," Maya muttered as she grabbed the scarf from Josh's hand.

"I've been with Sophie for five years. We've fought a lot of times before, but I've never seen her that angry, Maya," Josh said as he slumped down on the nearest bench by the fitting rooms.

"Josh, I am so so sorry," Maya apologized, trailing after Josh. "This is all my fault. I was in a hurry to meet Leigh at the concert venue that I totally forgot that I had a scarf with me. W-what did Sophie say?"

"She saw the scarf on the coat rack and she knew right away that it wasn't hers—and I thought it'd somehow lessen the blow if I'd be honest with her, so I told her that it was yours," Josh answered. "I tried to explain to her that what we were doing in our apartment was innocent, but when Sophie asked what you were doing there, I couldn't say anything. Maya, I couldn't tell her that we were looking for the ring, so she assumed that my silence meant that I was cheating on her with you."

Maya pursed her lips. "Sophie hates me now, doesn't she?"

"I told her not to be angry with you, but I don't think she's gonna let you off," Josh responded. "I mean, you are the woman she thinks I cheated on her with."

Maya toyed with the mustard scarf, her mind racing with ideas on how to fix the misunderstanding. "What if I talk to Sophie?" she suggested. "I feel really bad, Josh. When I took you up as my client, I promised you I'd help you and Sophie get on the road to forever, not . . . this."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea, Maya," Josh replied. "If you were in Sophie's shoes, do you want to see the woman you're boyfriend is 'cheating' on you with?"

"I probably wouldn't, but that's not our case here, Josh. What we have in our hands right now is a misunderstanding. I wouldn't honestly go to Sophie if we don't have an innocent argument to prove."

Josh mulled over what Maya said before he heaved a sigh. He knew it was too early to feel relieved, but he was grateful that something would be done regarding the misunderstanding. "Thank you so much, Maya. You have no idea how much that means to me," he told her.

Maya shrugged as she stalked back to the racks to return the white dress she didn't know she was still holding. "Sophie is the love of your life. How can you possibly propose when your future bride-to-be wants to claw your eyeballs out of their sockets and toss them in a deep fryer?"

"Gee, thanks, Maya," Josh replied.

Turning away from the rack of dresses to look at Josh, Maya emitted an exasperated sigh. "Now that we've got that sorted out, we still have this other problem to solve. I should've thought of this earlier, but I don't think we should be getting a dress for Sophie. She's a designer—she probably tailors her own clothes by now," she noted, abandoning the rack of dresses.

"Then what are we gonna get for her?" Josh queried as he stood up from the bench.

"The first thing that comes to my head is jewelry. Maybe get her a new necklace or a bracelet—"

"Again?" Josh interjected.

Maya placed her hands on her hips. "A woman can never have too many pieces of jewelry, and something about Sophie tells me that she is the type to have lots of them."

"But I already gave her a necklace last year, I can't do that again. That's, like, recycling."

Maya pursed her lips in thought as she followed Josh out of the clothing store. "You know you can always do something for her. Your present doesn't have to be a material, right? Maybe you can take her to a spa trip or take her somewhere else for New Year's! Bake her some cookies, take her skydiving, book a sensual couple's massage for the two of you—at this point I'm just throwing at you whatever comes to my mind!"

Josh's eyebrows furrowed when he recalled a certain memory. "You know what? Sophie did mention something about drinking mai tais out of coconuts before—and many other drinks with tiny umbrellas in them."

"There you go!" Maya said, then paused. "But that sounds like something the two of you should do for your honeymoon. Think of something else, like something that's appropriate for the holiday and our current weather, of course."

Josh chuckled as he and Maya stepped on the escalator.

"While we're Christmas shopping, I might as well do mine," Maya announced, halfway up their trip to the second level. "I've been putting it off since we hit December, but now I actually wanna get it done."

Josh and Maya stepped off the escalator and began walking aimlessly, indecisive about which store they'd hit first.

"Do you have a lot to shop for?" Josh questioned.

"Let's see, I've got Zay, Riley and Lucas, Farkle and Isadora . . . I'll get something for Ava, too, and the Friar, Matthews—Riley's Matthews, not yours—and Babineaux families. Oh, Andrew and Jasmine—can't forget those love birds. And . . . I guess now I'll get you one, too," Maya enumerated, ticking each name on her fingers.

Josh perked a brow. "Aren't you forgetting someone? A couple of people, maybe?"

"I mentioned Andrew and Jasmine, right?" Maya wondered, ignoring Josh's query. She knew who the two individuals he was referring to, but she chose not to acknowledge them, especially if one of them left her while the other was holed up in a center.

Josh nodded, although Andrew and Jasmine weren't the ones he was alluding to. He was talking about Maya's parents. She listed all the people she was buying a Christmas present for, yet she didn't include her parents on that list. As far as Josh knew, Maya hadn't spoken about her father at all. Her mother, he recalled, went away for a while.

"You coming?" Maya asked when she noticed that Josh had fallen behind her.

"Yeah," Josh answered.

As Josh matched his strides with her, he wondered how much of Maya was actually there to discover. What surprised him more was how determined he was to uncover the true story of the woman who'd been so willing to help him selflessly.

Seven words: WE'RE GETTING SO CLOSE TO THE DRAMA. I'm sooooo excited for you guys to get to that part, that's why I've been setting aside time to edit my chapters so I can update every day. The story might seem slow during the previous chapters, but I really want to establish a strong relationship between Josh and Maya. I mean, they were strangers in the first chapter and then they meet and eventually become friends. So when the drama hits, it'll hit them like a sh*t ton of bricks.

Thanks for reading and let me know what you think!