Love In Destin ✔

40 - crazier

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𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒂

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I PUSH THE metal lever to the lowest setting on the KitchenAid and start to mix the dry ingredients. But I'm barely concentrating as I rock my body back and forth to Billy Joel. Meanwhile, Lana mixes the wet ingredients in a bowl.

"Oh my gosh, Maya, I thought you weren't feeling okay?" says Jada, her voice playful.

"I'm just prepping myself for the game this evening," I say, grinning.

Lana texted me earlier today saying she was craving chocolate chip cookies, and I told her I make the best ones. Not a second later, she said she would pop over, and I sent her my address.

I was on a call with Jada and Cassie when she arrived, telling them about the kiss like some girl high on drugs. She joined the call, getting to know the girls before I proceeded with the whole dilemma leading up to the kiss. It was a mess of anger, joy, and excitement.

My phone rang around midnight last night, and Rick's voice was in my ear. He made my cheeks burn as he told me all his thoughts about the kiss and how he was drunk on my strawberry scent and couldn't get enough. By the time we hung up, it was rounding on three in the morning.

Now I'm giddy with joy, and everything feels good. The chorus starts, and I sing along the best I can manage.

Jada and Cassie have to go, so I end the call. Now, only two sets of voices and laughter fill the kitchen.

Aunt Abby walks into the kitchen. Her hair is a volume of curls that tumble down her shoulders, and she's wearing a lavender cardigan. Her legs are bare and covered in black see-through stockings. She looks so much like Mom it's crazy. The only way I can really tell that it's Aunt Abby is from her style.

Mom's style is more formal, with a lot of suit pants, blazers, and dress shoes. On the other hand, Aunt Abby wears more flowy dresses, tight-fitted skirts, and loud makeup. Mom only applies mascara and lipstick. The two cannot be more alike while still being different.

"Hey, girls! How are the cookies coming up?"

"Hey! They'll be going in the oven soon."

"Hey, Abigail, thanks again for having me," Lana looks around. The counter is covered with scattered utensils, spilt flour and an open egg carton. "And for letting me mess up your kitchen. I promise we'll clean up,"

"Anytime, honey. Maya's friends are always welcome," she opens one of the cabinets and pulls out a bottle of wine and a glass. She sits on the barstool on the island. "What are you girls planning to do after the match? Party? Hang out?"

"I don't know," Lana says as we scoop balls of the chocolate chip cookie batter onto a baking tray.

"I guess we'll figure it out after the match. I'm a nervous wreck right now,"

Just then, the doorbell rings, and Aunt Abby gets it while I put the baking tray into the oven. I grab a washcloth to start cleaning the spilt flour but Lana's back is to me, and I can't resist. Slapping the cloth between the pockets of her jeans, she gasps, hands reaching for her butt, "Oh, I'm gonna get you,"

Giggling, I shimmy to the living room, where he stands by the door. The force of his smile hits me right in the chest. "Your boyfriend's here," says Aunt Abby, sauntering past me.

"Title's Aunt Abby. Remember? We don't have one?"

Rick's brows scrunch together."What's that supposed to mean?"