Our Little Loves

Chapter 26

6 Years Ago

"Andy, can you grab the door for me?" Maya asked from the kitchen. Andy had stayed the night at Maya's apartment after a late night out together. Vic had just left, so the two of them were left to deal with their hangovers on their own.

"Sure," Andy replied. She walked over and peeked through the peephole to see who was at the door. "Uh, Maya, there's a really hot and tall blonde outside your door."

Maya furrowed her brows in confusion and dropped the dishes she was doing back into the sink. She wiped her hands and went over to the door to open it. Andy remained by her side the entire time. "Laura?" Maya said in a voice laced with shock.

"Hi, Maya," Laura responded in a loving voice.

The two of them stared at one another for an uncomfortable amount of time until Andy coughed to bring them both of their trances. "Hi, I'm Andy," she spoke up.

"Are you Maya's girlfriend?" Laura asked. Her once loving and perky voice was now gone.

The brunette laughed hysterically and shook her head no. "No, we are just friends. I was actually on my way out..." Maya's eyes flashed to her best friend's in panic. "On second thought, I think I left some of my things in the guest room. I'll be in there."

Maya made room for Laura to come in. She noticed that she had a large duffle bag with her. It was clear that she didn't have a place lined up to stay. "What are you doing in town and why on earth are you here? I figured you never wanted to see me again," Maya admitted.

Laura sat down on the couch and looked around the room before her eyes locked on Maya. "I had to see you, Maya."

"Why?" Maya peered into the hallway and saw her best friend sneak her head out of the guest room to try and listen into their conversation. She appreciated Andy staying in case things escalated.

Laura held up her left hand and flashed a large engagement ring at Maya. "Oh, shit," Maya said. She grabbed Laura's hand and examined the diamond. "Who's the lucky gal?"

"Guy," Laura said quietly.

"Oh... I thought-"

"I haven't been with another woman since you, Maya."

Maya sat down next to her on the couch but kept a distance between them. "That still doesn't explain why you're here."

Laura turned to her and looked into her eyes. "I'm not over you. I still love you. I can't do it. I can't marry Patrick. It's you, Maya, it should be you."

Maya heard Andy cough and choke down the hall. She was thankful for the brief distraction from Laura's words. She got up off the couch and paced around the room. "Laura, you know that's something I never wanted. That's why we didn't work out the first time around."

"I know. I was so dumb and naive. I don't need to marry you, Maya. I just need to be with you. I'll move here. We can have a life together in Seattle."

Maya ran her hands through her long blonde hair and sighed. She settled herself back down and Laura stood to meet her. The taller woman grabbed her hands and looked down into her ocean eyes. For the first time since Maya had met Laura, she felt nothing. No electricity, no tension, no sparks, just nothingness.

She pulled her hands away and looked down at the ground. "No, Laura."

"Maya, please. You can't tell me that this is the end of us."

"Laura, the end of us was four years ago when we got off the plane from London. I don't want this with you or anyone for that matter."

Laura grabbed Maya's cheeks and forced a kiss to her lips. For a brief moment, Maya reciprocated, but then pushed her away. "No! You need to leave, please."