Both of Us

one

They meet again a week after the park incident.

Maya was sitting in a quiet little coffee shop, daydreaming as she took small sips of her drink, when she notices a familiar golden retriever trotting down the sidewalk. She recognizes the owner's brown hair and sideways smile as he ties the leash around a pole outside of the coffee shop.

Maya doesn't say anything when Lucas enters and pretends she doesn't see him. She turns back towards the window and takes a long sip of her coffee before sighing. When Penelope notices her in the window, she begins to bark excitedly. Maya gives the dog a small wave when she hears a male voice behind her.

"You following me?" It seems Maya's attempt to be unseen has failed. When she turns around, Lucas stands before her.

Maya looks into Lucas' green eyes and can't help but give him a small smile when she hears his accent.

"I should be asking you the same, cowboy," Maya jokes with a smirk.

"Is my accent really that strong," Lucas asks as he takes the seat in front of her.

"No," Maya says. "But it would be out of my character not to mention it."

"Fair enough," Lucas says.

"Where are you from, anyway," Maya asks before taking a sip of coffee.

"Texas," he answers nonchalantly.

Maya chuckles a bit and sets her cup on the table. "Of course you are."

"How about you," Lucas asks, hoping her answer would give him a good comeback.

"Born and raised right here in New York," Maya says. "What made you decide to live so far away from home, Ranger?"

Lucas tried to hide how quickly his body tensed up from the question. Maya noticed it, but pretended not to.

"Well..." Lucas starts but is thankfully interrupted by a barking Penelope.

Maya laughs quietly. "You should give her more attention," she says.

"I think that's the problem," Lucas says. "I give Penelope too much attention."

Maya laughs softly after she hears the dog's name. Of all the things the dog could be called, her name had to be Penelope.

"What," Lucas asks.

"Nothing, it's just," Maya's voice trails off. "My middle name is Penelope."

"Penelope," Lucas laughs.

"Stop, it's not that funny," Maya protests.

"I'm sorry," he says. "It's just-- wait. What did you say your name was again," Lucas asks.

"Maya," she mumbles.

"Maya," Lucas echos. "Nice name."

"Not as nice as your is, Huckleberry," Maya says with a grin. That'll teach him to laugh at Maya's middle name.

"Where are all of these nicknames coming from," Lucas asks. They've been talking for about 5 minutes and she already has a string of nicknames for him. He won't let it get to him, though. "And my name is--"

"Oh, I know your name, Lucas," Maya says as she crosses her legs under the table.

"You remembered," Lucas asks surprised.

"I could never forget," she says softly, a small glimmer in her eyes.

There's a comfortable silence between them for a short moment until Lucas' dog begins to bark again. Lucas and Maya both look out the window and at Penelope. She pants happily and rests her paws on the window.

"She's a beautiful dog," Maya says. Penelope had a nice shine to her thick fur and you can see the youth in her eyes.

"Maybe you can draw her," Lucas suggests. "You make good art."

"No, only artists create art," Maya snickers. "I just dabble in drawing."

"C'mon, I saw what you drew that day," Lucas says. "You're great!"

"Thanks," Maya says with a soft smile. Maya's ocean eyes sparkle in happiness and Lucas can't help but to smile back at her.

"We should do this again," Lucas says finally.

"What?"

"We should hang out again. I kind of enjoy your company," Lucas admits.

"What makes you think we'll see each other again," Maya says.

"Hey, I thought the same thing after I saw you at the park and look at where we are now."

"You thought of me," Maya asks a little too innocently.

Lucas fiddles with his coffee cup. "You caught my attention, yes."

Maya's cheeks turn a soft pink. She was going to say something but is interrupted once again by a barking golden retriever.

"Alright, alright. I'm coming," Lucas says before he gulps down his last bit of coffee.

Lucas takes his phone out of his back pocket and hands it to Maya. "Give me your phone," he says.

Maya does as told and Lucas adds his number into Maya's contacts. Maya notices this and does the same to Lucas' phone.

After they hand each other their devices, Lucas stands. "So we can keep in touch," he says with a smile.

He pushes pushes in his chair and tips his imaginary hat. "See you around, ma'am."

Maya watches him leave as he walks down the sidewalk with Penelope by his side.