UNRAVELING AMAYA.

16

The sun was high in the sky as Cordelia and I strolled through the bustling streets of downtown, weaving in and out of shops in search of the perfect outfits for the upcoming trip to Hawaii. It was a welcome change of pace from the chaos of the past weeks, and the prospect of spending a week on the sandy beaches of Oahu brought a sense of excitement and relief.

Fuck Atlanta.

For right now at least.

"Okay, hear me out," Cordelia said, holding up a yellow, floral sundress. "This screams 'tropical paradise', right?"

I grinned, eyeing the dress appreciatively. "Definitely. It's perfect for the beach." I turned to a nearby mirror and checked myself out. My new bob framed my face, the sleek cut accentuating my cheekbones. The tan, flowy dress fluttered lightly with each movement, and my Birkenstock sandals added a casual, yet stylish touch. The designer sunglasses perched on my nose completed the look, their dark lenses contrasting sharply with my sun-kissed skin. I adjusted the straps of the dress, feeling the soft fabric brush against my skin, and smiled at my reflection, feeling a surge of confidence.

We wandered into Coach, our laughter mingling with the chatter of other shoppers. The air was filled with the scent of leather and polish as we browsed through racks of sandals and shelves of purses.

"So, have you heard from Ryan?" Cordelia asked casually, trying on a pair of strappy sandals.

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Nope. But it's fine; I've been pretty busy anyway." I lied. Adrian had found his footing and was becoming more independent. But the truth was, Ryan's absence still gnawed at me, a persistent ache that refused to fade.

Cordelia glanced at me, concern flickering in her eyes. "Are you okay with that?"

"Yeah, I guess." I said with a sigh, picking up orange Lainey Sandal.

Cordelia gave me a knowing look, her gaze piercing through my facade. "You know it's okay to admit you miss him, right, Maya?"

I sighed, glancing away. "I know. But I don't want to beat a dead horse; he's made up his mind so it's just best I leave it alone." Lord knows I didn't want to but I'd rather take on a grizzly bear than continue looking pathetic.

"You deserve someone who knows what they want," Cordelia said gently, her voice filled with empathy.

I nodded, grateful for her understanding. "Yeah, I know. Maybe one day, I'll find that."

Before I could respond, Cordelia's phone chimed with a message. She glanced at the screen and grinned. "It's Ivan. He's already at the restaurant. We should head over there."

I nodded, tucking the sandals under my arm. "Cool. Let's go."

The restaurant was a quaint little place with outdoor seating, shaded by umbrellas and surrounded by lush greenery. Ivan waved at us from a table near the back, a smile spreading across his face as we approached. "Hey, ladies," Ivan greeted us warmly, standing up to pull out the chairs for us. "You both look stunning as always." He was clearly being a kiss up. "Especially you, baby-ma."

Cordelia flashed him a bright smile as she took her seat. "Flattery will get you everywhere, babe." I couldn't help but smile at the way she instinctively set her hand over her tummy—despite baby being the size of a strawberry, she'd already developed a motherly instinct.

I chuckled, taking a seat next to Cordelia. "Thanks for meeting us. This place looks nice."

Ivan nodded, signaling to a waiter for drinks. "I thought it'd be a cool spot for us to catch up before the trip. And I have a feeling today might bring some surprises."