A Smile and a Chance

2 PAINTING

*UNEDITED

"Well, this is new. I've never had a woman react to me that way before. Ava isn't going to believe this." Alejandro said in disbelief.

"She'll probably laugh until she runs out of air and pass out." I answered, my eyes still following Maia until she turned right on a corner across the street.

"That's for sure."

"Hey, did she tell you about Thanksgiving dinner?"

"She did, I'll be there."

______________________________________

"So, Liam, Alejandro told me about a 'new friend' of yours." Ava began as our dishes were cleared to make way for dessert. I tried not to have any reaction and put on my best poker face.

Then suddenly, everyone was focused on me.

"Yes, and he scared her off, did he also tell you that?" I tried to divert everyone's attention, but I wasn't an expert in that area. Maybe I should ask for tips from Brandon. "By the way, how's the wedding planning going?"

"Don't change the topic, Liam. Who is this mystery girl?"

"I don't really know. All I know is her name and that's it."

"Well, what's her name?"

"Maia."

I hoped Ava would stop after I gave her a name, but who am I kidding?

"Where did you meet her?" Ava continued and this time, I made it clear that I'm exasperated already.

I stared at my twin sister, hard. She knew I wanted her to stop asking questions but she wouldn't, I knew that fact. I knew Ava will pester me until I break.

"At my favorite coffee house." I replied shortly.

She only asked where I met Maia, she didn't ask how, so that's the only answer she'll be getting. I would never dare tell my twin sister or anyone else how I met Maia; that she's a thief and almost got away with someone's wallet. Not that I was ashamed of her, I just wanted to avoid more questions.

But I knew Ava won't stop there so easily.

"That's it?"

"Yes, Ava. That's it."

"No, I feel as if something is missing in your story. So you met her and you invited her to have lunch in your office."

"Ava," their mother interrupted. I rejoiced inside my head as Mom decided to finally play referee. "Stop investigating your brother."

"Mom, can't you see? Liam is finally interested in a woman again! Aren't you glad about that?"

I knew Ava had an idea with what really happened between me and Iris, my ex-girlfriend. She never really liked her in the first place and knowing what could have happened, she's just too excited for me. But the thing is, there is really nothing to look forward to with me and Maia. Ava is just getting hyped up about a product of her over creative imagination.

"How's the wedding preparations going, Ava?" Dad repeated my question a while ago after he took a sip of wine from his glass and Ava started to talk about the details in a very uninterested manner.

"...but I'll leave everything to Olivia," Ava finished her answer. "She'll know what to do." Then I gave her a knowing smile. "What? She's my best friend and my Maid of Honor."

"Yeah, but you're the one getting married, not her." Brandon chimed in and earned a glare from Ava. "Where is your best friend anyway? She's awfully late."