Maya and Josh- The Long Game

Riley's conversation with Josh

It's Christmas season (Middle of December) at the Matthews and Riley was decorating their tree. Surprisingly, Maya wasn't participating as she was doing the same thing for the first time together with her newest family member, her dad, Shawn. Josh was helping Riley as he had semester break until the end of January and was able to spent his free time however he liked.  Riley enjoyed having some quality time with her uncle since she realized she hasn't really spent any time alone with him in the last years. She was obviously curious about his feelings for Maya but just to start the conversation lightly, she asked him about college.

„So Josh, how is college going now that you decided you give your roommate another chance? Have you adjusted better now? At your birthday, it seemed like you were getting along so well with your roommate."
„Oh yeah, after I decided to give him another shot I went back and dug a little deeper. So we were sharing about our life's and it made me understand him so much better and especially, why he is so weird", he laughed. „So now we are fine, sure we have our up's and downs but that's normal when you live so close with someone else. Guess it's a good training for marriage too", he smirked.

This was a perfect opportunity for Riley to get into the more interesting details. „Talking about marriage, how are the girls at college? Anyone you like there? Are you dating?" She pretended to be cool about it, hoping he wouldn't notice how nervous she was because of Maya.

He replied suspiciously „Well Riley, I actually don't know how much I can tell you without knowing what you tell Maya of our conversation? Also, nice try with the girls thing, I mean you already know how I feel about Maya so what you really want to know is how I feel about Maya am I right?" he smiled at her

Riley thought to herself how she could not tell Maya what Josh tells her but after a bit of thinking she realized that this conversation would be a heart to heart between her and her uncle and she wanted to honor Josh in that. „Okay you caught me, Josh, but I won't tell Maya about this conversation I promise."

Sighing to himself he opened up to his niece „You know Riley, first of all I don't date anyone, there is nobody at college I would be interested in. I've had dates but nothing more and it was all before I was with you guys at Mount Sun Lodge. So that was before I realized how I feel about Maya.
You know over the last year I've gotten to know you guys better and better. I saw the beautiful friendship between you and Maya and your friends. I observed Maya more (not in a creepy way) and noticed what an amazing young woman she was becoming. At Mount Sun Lodge seeing her dealing so lovingly with you and Lucas I thought to myself, if she is that amazing now, how much more interesting will she be when she gets older? And ever since I've just been more and more intrigued by her. So, when I made that deal with Maya, I knew in my heart that I really want to be with her one day. So after I went back to college with all those new feelings for Maya I realized there is nobody else out there for me of any interest. Why should I waste my time going on dates with other girls just to pass the time? It only puts false expectations on me and it's not fair to other girls too. But Maya already takes up that space in my heart. Is it scary? Yes it scares the f out of me, cause I've never had something this serious but Maya is also worth that risk, you of all people probably know that. So, I will wait for her, yeah."

Riley was not able to talk for a moment as she was just perplexed at the thoughts that Josh just shared with her. This was the most romantic thing she ever heard and she noticed, that it must run in the family since her Dad was kind of the same when he set his mind on her mum and was sure there would never be anyone else in his life.

„Wow, Josh, I had no idea you already have such strong feelings for Maya. I mean I knew what you have told her and I knew you liked her but I didn't know how serious you were! Are you sure she knows all of that like how serious you are about her and how much you adore her?"

„Well, I gave you more details than I gave Maya because I want her to trust me on her own. I have told her that I want us to work and all of that but obviously I don't want to put more pressure on us. It's already hard to wait and to try to keep it low. And you might call it oldfashioned but I believe that a guy needs to know what he wants to be able to commit to someone and pursue that person. And because of everything that Maya has been through in her life, she so deserves to be pursued and to feel completely safe with someone. I want her to know that she can rely on me. And for now I am still learning how to be that guy for her without being too pushy. And with me still being scared and nervous I just try to not tell her too much of how I feel, does that make sense?"

Riley teared up at Joshs words „Uncle Josh, you are an amazing guy and I want the best for Maya and what better man could she have than a Matthews", she giggled while tears came down her face. „I have complete faith that you guys will end up together, you two are just so sweet together even though it is super weird that you are my uncle and yeah if you guys get married she would be my aunt" that last part had her make a weirded out face.

Josh chuckled „Riley take it slow please, but thank you for rooting for us, good to know that we have your back, you're an awesome niece."
Both hugged each other and Riley reassured she wouldn't tell Maya about this conversation.