Both of Us

seven

"Why are we going to this bakery when we could just eat at the cafe where you work," Farkle asks when the three men were driving to Topanga's bakery.

Lucas told them that he was going out to visit Maya. Once Zay and Farkle knew why Lucas was going, they insisted - more like begged - to go along with him. Lucas agreed but he wouldn't have brought them if he knew they were just going to be complaining and asking him a million questions during the ride.

So it's no surprise that when they arrive, Lucas tells them - more like begs - them to stay in the car. Of course they don't listen and they follow him into the bakery.

Lucas expects to see the feisty blonde standing at the counter but instead he sees an adorable brunette sitting in a stool in front of the counter sipping on a cup of coffee.

Riley looks up when she hears the door bells jingle and smiles a bit when she notices Lucas walking towards her. She doesn't acknowledge the other two but she sure does catch the attention of Zay.

"Well, well, well." He pushes past Lucas and slides gracefully over to Riley. He grabs her hand gently and kisses it. "Babineaux. Zay Babineaux. And you are?"

Riley can't help but giggle. She wasn't used to this receiving so much attention like Maya always does. Especially from a man. A very good-looking man.

But before she could answer, Lucas pulls Zay back behind him. "Alright, that's enough, Zay."

Zay shrugs his shoulders innocently. "What did I do? I was only trying to have a conversation with the pretty brunette."

"Hey Lucas," Farkle says while staring at the pastries on display. "Can we buy something. Staring at all of this sugar is tempting me."

"Absolutely true," Zay mumbles, still looking at Riley.

"Alright, that's it. Go wait in the car." Lucas didn't feel like dealing with those two; not right this minute. He felt as if he had to watch over children and just as a child would, Farkle began to whine.

"But--" Farkle starts. "Can you at least by me a cupcake, that's all I ask."

"Fine, whatever. Just go wait in the car," Lucas says. "I'd like a word with Ms. Matthews. Alone."

"Whoa, man," Zay says. "Dibs."

Lucas points to the door and Zay and Farkle leave the bakery.

Riley laughs. "Your friends seem really nice."

Lucas takes a seat in the stool in front of Riley and faces her. "So, where's Maya?"

Riley sighs happily. "I knew you weren't really here to see me. You're too busy giving my best friend heart eyes."

"Is it that obvious?"

"Very," Riley says. "But don't worry. She's too busy yapping on and on about you to notice."

Lucas can't help but smile at the fact that rough and tough Maya Hart actually gushes over him.

"I don't think I ever got your name," Lucas says.

Riley takes his hand and shakes it. "Riley Matthews. And you are the famous Ranger Rick."

"Lucas," he corrects her.

Riley laughs. "I want to thank you for being there for Maya. Sometimes she forgets how special she is."

Lucas cocks his eyebrow. He just couldn't imagine someone as fierce as Maya feel so belittled.

"How so," Lucas asks.

Riley sighs before facing him. If Lucas and Maya are going to continue dating, which she believes they most likely will be, she thinks he has a right to know about the true Maya Hart.

"Sometimes, she's not so proud of who she is," Riley starts. "She feels that she doesn't deserve people like me or you."

"But she does," Lucas says. "She deserves to be happy. I want her to be happy."

"Squee," Riley exclaims quietly. "Listen. Maya has this strong exterior but in reality she's extremely soft on the inside. And I'm not saying my friend isn't strong. She's the strongest person I know. But--"

Riley pauses for a second. She looks into Lucas' eyes to make sure he knows how serious this is.

"Her heart needs to be protected."

Just as Lucas was going to respond, Maya enters from the back of the bakery, apron and all.

She smiles at the sight of him. "Hey Huckleberry! And friends?" She points at the bakery door and there stands Zay and Farkle leaning against the glass impatiently waiting for Lucas.

Farkle mouths to Lucas, "Buy me some cheesecake."

Lucas rolls his eyes playfully before turning back to Maya.

"We were just talking about you, Peaches," Riley says to Maya.

"All good things, I hope." Mays turns to Lucas. "So, what'll be, Cowboy?"

Lucas thinks back to Farkle. " I'll take a whole cake."

"Coming up," she says with a smile. And with that, Maya leans over the counter and plants a quick kiss on Lucas' cheek.