Chapter 4

Maya was still floating on air a few hours later when the restaurant closed. Deke had walked her back to La Havana after they finished their cupcakes. He'd even stopped a few storefronts away to take her in his arms and kiss her lightly before escorting her the rest of the way.

Greedily, she wished he'd kissed her so hard her panties had fallen off. That thought made her laugh out loud.

"I'm not going to ask what you're thinking about," Mateo said as he pulled the money drawer from the cash register after the guests had left.

That immediately made her blush and almost trip over the broom she was using to sweep the entryway. Steadying herself against the wall, Maya pretended that his words had not thrown her for a loop. She hid her heated face by leaning over to sweep the mess into a dustbin.

"Keep your secrets, Maya. I'm just glad you're happy."

"Thank you, Mateo."

"When you get done there, would you tidy up the front waitress stand? Then take off. I know you're here early in the morning tomorrow. Go get some sleep," her older brother recommended.

"That's a very good idea."

Finishing that last assigned task quickly, Maya gathered her things, including the precious treat Deke had purchased for her, and headed out the door. In just a few minutes, she arrived at her quiet apartment. After placing the boxed cupcake in her refrigerator, she dropped her purse and keys on her kitchen table and headed for her bedroom.

"I'm home, Tawny!" she called.

Crawling up from the foot of the bed, she plucked the stuffed lion from the comforter and plopped on her bottom to sit with him held against her chest. She hugged the stuffie tight before leaning him back so they could talk. As always, she heard Tawny's answers in her head.

"Tawny, he came back again today. I actually sat down with him and had Malted Milk cupcakes."

"You really like those."

"Yes, those are my favorite kind. We each had one and he even bought an extra one because there was one leftover. He thought it would have been lonely. I brought it home. It's in the fridge."

"He chose the same kind?"

"He did like that flavor, too."

"What else did you find out about him?"

"Deke thinks he's my Daddy. Tawny, he even kissed me."

"I think I need to meet this Deke."

"Do you want to meet him?"

"Yes!"

"Okay, I'll take you with me when we go to the park. But you have to promise you won't growl or bite him."

"I promise."

"Thank you, Tawny. Let me go take a shower."

She carried the stuffie into the bathroom. The two continued to talk as Maya took off her clothes and stepped into the shower. The lion had a lot of questions about Deke. She tried to remember all the things she'd need to find out for him, but knew she'd never get through all those questions.

"It's a good thing you're going with me on our picnic date, Tawny. My head is swimming now. Want to go share the cupcake with me for breakfast?"

* * *

When she walked into the restaurant, Mateo greeted her with a smile. "I'm glad to see you. Would you mind rolling some silverware for us?"

"Of course not," Maya said immediately. She didn't mind any job in the restaurant. Well, except when she had to fill in for a server. That was a challenge.

As she headed toward the back table where she usually worked on this task, Maya filled a cart with a stack of napkins and a container of sparkling silverware. Thinking about what she'd do after finishing a mountain of bundles, Maya didn't see the bouquet of flowers until she was two tables away. She abandoned the cart with a gasp of surprise and rushed forward to admire and sniff the gorgeous blossoms.

"Someone has very good manners," her mother said from behind her.

"Whose are they?" Maya asked.

"Yours, of course. Read the card. Your brother made me wait."

"For me?" Maya looked for the card and found it tucked in the green foliage. Plucking the entire plastic holder from the stems, she removed the card.

When her mother rushed around to look over her shoulder, Maya asked, "Could I have some privacy, please?"

"You're not going to show me?"

"Maybe not. This is special, Mamá. I've never gotten flowers before. I want this to just be mine for a while." Maya held her breath, hoping her mother would understand.

"I'm sorry, Maya. Of course you can read this by yourself. Forgive your nosy mother. I'm just excited for you." After a hug, her mother bustled off to help Guille in the kitchen.

Settling herself on a chair with her back to the wall to ensure some other family member didn't happen to look over her shoulder, Maya opened the card and read,

Thank you for my last first date.

Deke

His last first date? It took a few seconds for that to process in her mind. He meant he wasn't going to date anyone else. He'd found her. Her eyelids prickled as she blinked back happy tears. Could she have really found her one?

Maya carefully put the card back into the envelope and tucked it into her bra. The corners poked at her sensitive flesh, but she didn't care. It reminded her of its existence and the magical man who'd taken the time to see her. She wasn't invisible. Not to him.

A few minutes later, she had retrieved the cart and was hard at work rolling silverware. The flowers sat close to her so she could enjoy the fragrance of the blooms. Her family all stopped by to admire them and help her with the task when they had a few spare minutes.

Just as she finished the last one, Maya looked up to see the handsome man heading her way. Jumping to her feet, she rushed forward to stand in front of Deke. "Thank you for the flowers. They're heavenly."

"I'm glad you're enjoying them. Can you take a minute to have lunch with me?"

"I would love to but let me check to make sure I can take a few minutes."

"You can take a few minutes, Maya," Mateo's voice sounded from behind her. "I just put in your order for the special today, Deke."

"Thanks, Mateo. Can I sit here in the back with you?"

"That would be great. Let me get us something to drink and I'll be right back. Take a seat where the flowers are," Maya suggested.

When she came back a few minutes later, Deke was on his phone. He typed on the keyboard quickly. "Is something wrong?"

"Sorry. My boss at Stuff-It is sick and needs to go home. I'm afraid I have to leave. I'm sorry to leave you after you thought we'd have lunch together."

"It's okay. I'll get everything to go for you and put this in a to-go cup."

"I'm sorry, Precious Girl. I'll go pay."

She could tell he was worried. Feeling completely selfish, she crossed her fingers behind her back, wishing that his boss would feel better quickly and it wouldn't affect their plans for his day off. Maya darted into the kitchen to package his food for him to take.

"Thank you, Maya." Deke leaned down to kiss her before taking the packages from her hands. "Call me when you get off work tonight. We'll plan our day tomorrow."

"Okay. Thanks again for the flowers." She followed him to the door and opened it so he could navigate through with his hands full.

"I'm sorry Deke couldn't stay for lunch, Maya," Mateo offered.

"It's okay. I should go help Guille in the kitchen. Can I put my flowers in your office for safekeeping?"

"Of course."