"Thanks?" Maya joked and Josh cleared his throat.
"Maya, hey, what are you doing here?" Josh said and laughed awkwardly.
"Showing off some art, trying to make some money, the usual," Maya said as she closed the gap between them.
Josh laughed awkwardly again as Maya grinned brightly at him. They both chuckled as he reached down to give her a quick hug. As he held her close to him, he ignored the butterflies in his chest and pulled away.
"What's your work?" Josh asked as Maya turned to face the painting.
With her back turned, Josh gulped down the wine and wiped his mouth. She raised her hand out to point to the painting that caught his eye.
"One of mine, I call it Siren," Maya said.
"It's amazing Maya, your work has a certain beauty to it," Josh said.
"Thanks," Maya said and she turned to him.
Her blue eyes zoned in on his brown ones, and he could see a twinkle in her eyes. She wanted to say something, and so did he, but neither did.
"Riley didn't tell me you were back," Josh whispered.
"I just flew in, well last night," Maya said and she started walking away.
He followed behind as she began to point out her paintings to him. He could see the same blonde figure in the paintings, but each one was in a different setting surrounded by colors he didn't know the names of.
"Oh, for this show?" Josh asked.
"Well yes, and-"
"Maya, mon amour," Francis said as he walked over and gave Maya a quick peck on the lips.
"Your work has been selling like … what do you Americans say? Hotcakes?" Francis said and waved to a few more pieces.
"That is sure an expression, not sure if it is one people still use?" Maya said and squinted her eyes in amusement.
Josh could see the glimmer of mischievousness in her eyes, and watched her cheeks flush with a hint of red.
"Mon amour, must you do that," Francis groaned and gave Maya another peck.
"You are an amazing artiste, Maya, and a beautiful one at that," Francis said and Josh could feel a warm feeling overcome him.
He tried to ignore the blatant flirting in front of him but in a way it riled him up. He coughed uncomfortably and it made the two pull away from one another.
"Ah you again, the American," Francis said as Danielle came over.
"You met Josh?" Maya asked and raised an eyebrow.
"He is Danielle's latest playboy," Francis said as he draped an arm over Maya.
"Francis," Danielle squealed as she tugged at Josh's arm.
"Playboy?" Maya teased and Josh could feel the world spin around him.
He was trapped in a conversation that was not going in the direction he liked. Sure Danielle was a beautiful girl but he wasn't her playboy, boyfriend, hell even friend. On top of it, he couldn't understand that warm feeling he felt as Francis mused over Maya who giggled at his touch.
"Francis," The hostess called and Francis disappeared within a blink.
"Are you going to introduce us Matthews?" Maya teased.
"Oh um, Danielle meet Maya, Maya this is Danielle," Josh coughed as Maya shook Danielle's hand.
"No titles?" Maya teased more.
"Well Josh and I are still figuring things out, but for now, I am his date, right Josh?" Danielle said with a grin.
"Yep," Josh said and took a gulp of his wine.
"It seems you two know one another, how?" Danielle asked and Josh could see her eyes darken for a second. She was jealous.
"Good ol days, right Matthews? Actually, we grew up together, his niece is my best friend," Maya said with a smile.
Josh could tell she was reminiscing about herself and Riley over the years.
"Niece?" Danielle asked confused.
"Topanaga's daughter," Josh said.
"Oh! Oh wow, so you … are that close … great," Danielle said.
"Toppy's like my second mom," Maya said with a grin.
"Well aren't you just a lucky thing," Danielle muttered.
"Yes, I am," Maya said with the same tone.
"Danielle it's getting a little late, should we maybe head out?" Josh intervened.
"Oh Francis invited me out for more drinks, you should join us sweetheart," Danielle said and Josh was taken back by the nickname.
"Uh it's a late night, and I have the Smart case in the morning," Josh said.
"Right, um we can head out," Danielle said but Josh could see she wanted to stay.
"Hey Danielle, stay, we can continue this another time," Josh said with a forced smile.
"You're a great guy, you know that," Danielle said and leaned up and kissed Josh on the cheek.
Maya raised an eyebrow and sipped on her glass of wine. She watched the two as Danielle lingered on his cheek and then pulled away.
"Nice to meet you Mary," Danielle said and shrugged.
"You too Danielle," Maya said with a smile.
Josh admired that Maya didn't take the road Danielle did because Josh knew Maya pretty well. She easily could have but instead she watched Danielle flutter after Francis.
"Uh … Maya it was great seeing you," Josh began when Maya placed her wine glass down on a display.
"Why does it sound like you're about to brush me off Matthews?" Maya said.
"No, no, no … just getting ready to head out," Josh explained.
"Maybe I am too?" Maya teased.
"It's your show," Josh said confused.
"Not really, it's Francis, I am just part of the package but honestly I am so bored," Maya exaggerated and laughed.
"Oh," Josh said and laughed slightly.
"Let me walk you to the train before I walk to my Airbnb," Maya said.
Before Josh could object Maya had sashed away towards Francis who was surrounded by other patrons. Maya bloomed through the crowd and gave Francis a quick squeeze before whispering in his ear. Francis glanced over to Josh, and then nodded to Maya who grinned. She shined amongst the crowd and before he knew it she bounded over with a leather jacket.
"Let's go Matthews," Maya said and she turned on her heel towards the door.
Josh was stunned and placed his glass on the display next to Maya's. He hurried after her and he could feel Danielle's gaze on him. He ignored it and followed the blonde out the door towards the train.
"Wait Maya, where are you going?" Josh asked as he grabbed her to a stop.
"To the train station, I heard you live in Williamsburg?" Maya said as if it was the simplest thing.
"You're out of your mind if you think I am letting you walk to your place, this late by yourself," Josh said.
"Oh I am a big girl Matthews," Maya said but Josh wasn't going to take that as an answer.
"Maya," Josh said.
"Right, this is who you are … the good guy, so what do you want to walk lil ol me home?" Maya asked.
"I'm not asking, so let's go," Josh said and Maya began walking.
The two walked in silence for a few blocks, as Josh would take small glances at Maya who was grinning.
"You haven't changed," Maya said and laughed.
"What do you mean?" Josh asked.
"You're still trying to be this air of mystery Matthews, I know you now, I am older you know," Maya chuckled.
Josh knew, he could tell by just glancing at her. Her body had matured as she had, her blonde hair was wildly blowing in the wind as it cascaded down her back. Her curves were filled out and she embraced her womanly body. Blue eyes that twinkled brighter under the New York City lights. Full lips colored blood red to match her dress. To Josh she was a work of art.
"What?" Maya asked and stopped in her steps.
"What?" Josh asked.
"Something on my face or what? You're staring," Maya said and she pulled at her face.
"No, you just look … amazing," Josh breathed.
"Oh really Matthews? It seems you have your hands full with Danielle," Maya mused and continued her walk.
Josh let out a sigh and knew that he was going to kill his co-worker for forcing him to uphold his end of the bet. Danielle was a nice girl but she didn't give him butterflies, like the one he was having right at that second. Maya always did keep him on his toes, and years later it seemed she still had a certain effect over him, whether he wanted to admit it or not.
"Danielle is just a friend," Josh said.
"Does she know that?" Maya said.
"What about you and your French monsieur?" Josh bit back.
Maya laughed and threw her head back.
"You think I am going out with Francis? First Francis is gay, second if you think that is my type you clearly do not know me Matthews," Maya said.
"Oh yeah what is your type?" Josh said and Maya giggled.
"I don't know brown hair, hazel eyes, killer smile, great heart, walks lil ol fragile girls home," Maya flirted.
"You're far from fragile," Josh said.
"Oh who said I was talking about you Matthews," Maya flirted back.
"I … I … well?" Josh stumbled as Maya laughed whole-heartdly.
"I'm just messing with you!" Maya said as she stopped in front of a steel door.
"Hart you're a killer," Josh said with a soft chuckle.
"This is me," Maya said and pointed behind her.
"Oh, nice," Josh said with a forced smile.
He didn't want the night to end, which was a 360 from how it started.
"This was fun, should we continue it in the morning?" Maya asked and Josh wondered if she was a mind reader.
"Uh what did you have in mind?" Josh asked Maya to let her take the reins.
"Lunch, my treat! Riles has a date with Huckleberry and I thought you could fill my spare time while I'm here," Maya said and played with Josh's tie.
"While you're here?" Josh questioned.
"Don't worry about the details, look at the bigger picture, me, you, lunch, say 12?" Maya said, brushing his comment off.
Maya widened her blue eyes and pouted slightly, and Josh knew it took all his power to not give her the world.
"Sure," He whispered.
"Great, meet me here Matthews!" Maya said and placed a quick peck on his cheek.
She reached into her pocket and grabbed a few keys. Josh watched her vanish as quickly as she appeared behind the steel door without a word from him. Josh could feel his heart racing, and he couldn't believe that Maya Hart would be the one to do it.