Page 78 of It's a Date (Again)

“Let me see your hand,” I say to Robbie.

He holds it out, palm face up. I turn it over and press the rag ice pack onto his inflamed knuckles, causing him to wince.

“Sorry,” I whisper.

Goose bumps cover his forearm, probably from the ice. “Thanks,” Robbie says. His eyes are like sapphires.

“No, thank you for standing up for me.” I smile up at him. “You didn’t have to do that.”

His face turns serious. “Yes, I did.”

“What’s going on over here?” Maya plops down next to Anthony. She leans in and kisses him on the lips, lightly brushing her nose against his.

“Robbie punched someone,” I say, still pressing the ice pack against his knuckles.

Maya’s head swivels to Robbie. “You what?”

“He was harassing Peyton.”

“I came in right after Robbie punched him. Told him he’d have to come through me,” Anthony says, puffing out his chest.

She laughs and pats Anthony on the shoulder. “You really said that?”

“It came off way scarier in the moment,” he says with a nod.

“It’s true. I was shaking in my heels,” I tease.

Anthony chuckles and gulps his beer.

“I’m sad I missed it. I could have used a good laugh.” Maya smirks.

Robbie pushes a drink toward her. “Here you are. I got you a vodka soda.”

“Just what I needed,” she says, sipping from the straw.

“Speaking of good laughs, you were incredible tonight,” I say to Maya.

Her forehead puckers. “Hopefully it wasn’t too much for you?”

“Not at all. It felt good to laugh about it. Life’s too short not to laugh at yourself.” I smile.

Her face relaxes with relief.

Anthony bumps his shoulder into her. “And it’s nice to have a break from her making jokes about me.”

“And her forcing me to heckle her,” Robbie adds.

“I appreciate all of your contributions to my comedy material.” Maya glances at each of us. She pauses and raises a brow at me. “Wait, aren’t you supposed to be on a date with Shawn tonight?”

“Yeah, he canceled. Said he had a family emergency.” I shrug and sip my club soda.

Maya leans back in her chair. “What happened?”

“I don’t know. He didn’t say.”

“Do you have another date scheduled with him?”

I shake my head. “He told me he’d text me.”

---