Both of Us

four

"Maya, may I have a cookie," Riley asks innocently.

"Sure, if you give me a dollar," Maya says as she wipes down the counter with a damp towel.

"You won't give your best friend a free cookie?"

"Well, when you put it like that... no."

Maya works part time at Topanga's Bakery while she takes summer classes at NYU. Maya remembers how she and Riley would always hang out at the bakery in middle and high school; the bakery still looks good as new.

Maya never wanted to be like her mother and become a waitress but she knows that it's only temporary.

Riley was watching over Auggie this day and decided to head over to the bakery so he could have a quiet place to study. Riley also wanted to see Maya; no surprise there.

"So," Auggie starts. "I heard that you have a hot date on Sunday."

Maya almost drops the tray of cups she was holding. She looked at Auggie and began to snicker. "What? Who told you-- Riley!"

Maya didn't need to finish her sentence when she already knew the answer. Riley raised her hands in defense. "I didn't say hot date. All I said was that you were going to be spending quality time with a guy."

Maya protests. "You shouldn't have said anything in the first place!"

"Look at who you're talking to," Riley said gesturing to herself. Maya just rolls her eyes.

"So who's the lucky guy that somehow swept you off your feet," Auggie asks obviously trying to get on Maya's bad side.

Maya glares at him before handing Auggie the jar of cookies and says. "Knock yourself out before I do."

The pre-teen takes the jar without hesitation and runs off in his own little corner, ignoring the blonde's threat. Maya turns back to Riley and says, "You owe me $50."

*ring a ding*

The door of the bakery opens and a man enters with his dog. Maya is under the counter retrieving some plates, so she doesn't notice him come into the bakery.

"Hey, do you work here," the man asks Riley and Maya instantly recognized the slight southern drawl in his voice.

"Um no, but the waitress will be with you in a bit." Riley looks down at the dog and smiles. "What a pretty dog."

"Thank you," the man says.

Maya comes up from behind the counter and immediately regrets the decision. She doesn't want Lucas to see her in her waitress uniform but she just clenches her teeth and deals with it.

"Maya," he says, surprised.

"What? Huckleberry couldn't wait until Sunday, so he had to follow me here?" Maya gives him a big smile after her response.

"It must be fate. We bump into each other so often," Lucas says while trying to hold Penelope back. It seemed she was trying to jump over the counter to get to Maya. It's just a miracle that she hadn't started barking like crazy like she usually does at the sight of Maya.

"Wait, wait, wait," Riley says. "You're Lucas?"

"Yes ma'am."

Riley turns to Maya and leans in to whisper in her ear. "Hubba, hubba." Riley pats Maya on the shoulder to congratulate her.

"Maya, you work here," Lucas asks when he finally notices her in uniform.

"Obviously," Maya says.

Lucas strokes his chin thoughtfully before smiling to himself. "When is your break?"

"Um, in ten minutes," Maya says checking her watch. "Why?"

"Good, I can wait that long," Lucas says. "In the meantime, I'll take a slice of chocolate cake." Lucas slides a $5 bill on the counter to Maya.

"What are you doing," Riley asks him.

"Yeah, I'd like to know that myself," Maya says as she gives him his plate of cake.

"I'll just be sitting here waiting." Lucas takes his plate and a seat by the window.

"For what exactly," Maya asks.

"Today's a beautiful day. A nice day for a walk, don't ya think," Lucas says "A nice way to spend one's break from work."

Maya raises an eyebrow and tries to hide the grin that slowly forms on her lips. "I guess."

"Ooh," Auggie coos teasingly.

"Shut it," Maya growls.

***

Maya's break doesn't last very long so she and Lucas just walk around the around the plaza for a bit.

Lucas was right about it being a nice day out. There were a few clouds scattered here and there but other than that, the sky was clear and a beautiful baby blue. The sun shines brightly and gives the Earth a warm hug.

The two don't really say much while they walk and Penelope's panting sort of fills the silence.

"Why did you come to the bakery," Maya finally asks. "How'd you know I'd be here?"

"I didn't. I'm not following you," Lucas admits. "I guess I was just in the mood for something... sweet."

Maya wants to avoid his green eyes but can't help not looking away. "Why are you so nice to me, Soaring Eagle?"

"What, would you be more open with me if I was hostile with you," Lucas asks.

"Probably, it's what I'm used to," Maya mumbles under her breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing," Maya says quickly. "You just need to stop being nice to me."

"And you need therapy," Lucas retorts. "I'm just looking for a friend, not someone to screw over."

"What, you wanna be my friend, Ranger Rick," Maya asks with a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Yes, I actually do," Lucas says.

Maya is taken aback for a fraction of a second. Maya only had one true friend all her life and that was Riley. Riley was practically her sister and, if she swung that way, the love of her life. Maya wasn't really sure if she was ready to let someone else in if she was only worried that they'll leave her.

However, when Maya looks into the cowboy's face, all she can see is sincerity. He gives her a warm smile and in return she does the same.

"Ok," she finally says.

Penelope begins to bark and almost jumps on Maya. Lucas tugs at the leash to hold her back while Maya just laughs.

"I should go," she says after checking her watch. "My shifts about to start."

Maya bends down and gives Penelope a quick scratch under her chin. Penelope wags her tail happily. When Maya turns to leave back to the bakery, Lucas calls after her.

"Hey Hart."

"What," Maya chuckles.

"We still on Sunday afternoon," he asks hopefully.

Maya smiles. "Yes." And with that she leaves.