Page 21 of Sunsets and Happy Ever Afters

“I’m sure that’s not all you do.”

“No, I do massages too, facials, bridal make-up…” Maya instantly regretted mentioning make-up. She watched Sam’s reaction. There was none. None that showed disdain towards her, anyway.

“You run your own business, while creating a loving home for your two children. You must work very hard.”

Maya was taken aback by his compliment. “I suppose so. Although at times I feel like I’m losing the will to —” Maya stopped herself. She had to be thankful for her life. However hard it was, she had to be grateful she had her health, and was seeing her children grow up. Sam’s wife hadn’t been so lucky. “They drive me crazy, and I wonder what my next-door neighbours think some mornings. I fear I sound like a screaming banshee! And I have been known to just chuck beans on toast for tea when I really can’t be bothered.”

“They certainly don’t appear undernourished. Or unhappy.” And to prove it, Amber gave a hearty laugh at something Chloe had said. “You’re doing a fantastic job.”

“Thank you.” Maya felt her face growing hotter. She hoped she didn’t look like a beetroot. She supposed she did do a good job. Lewis and Amber both did well in school, where she feared they may have rebelled after their parents’ separation. Generally, they were happy, although occasionally she would find one of them crying, missing their daddy. It was normal, part of the healing process.

“Look,” Sam placed his hand on Maya’s wrist. “I need to apologise to you…” Maya frowned. Realising the intimacy of the gesture, his touch was brief, but Maya could still feel the gentle pressure he’d applied. She felt sure she was blushing now. His gaze didn’t quite meet hers at first, but then he focused on her. Dark brown eyes. Long eyelashes. The creases around his eyes as he smiled. She saw it all. “I need to apologise for my behaviour last year — at Amber’s birthday.”

Maya quickly shook her head and waved her hands. “It’s okay, just a case of crossed wires.”

“Yes, but I should have let you explain. Not jump to conclusions.”

“They had helped themselves to the make-up, you know?”

“I realise that now. I talked to Chloe.” Sam reached for her hand again.

“And Lucas was going to drop off Lewis, but he’d had to take his son to A&E.”

“Yes, I overreacted. Overprotective with Chloe, I suppose. Maya, please accept my apology.” Sam looked into her eyes imploringly. “I’m sorry.”

Maya nervously nodded her acceptance of his apology, unable to speak. Her heart had started pounding erratically. He was handsome, and being so kind… She’d got him all wrong. She dabbed her lips with her napkin then wiped her hands with it. She excused herself to visit the ladies’ toilets, where she ran cold water over her wrists to cool herself down. Takedeepbreaths. The restaurant was just so hot…

Samhasagirlfriend,remember.

Back at the table, Maya tried to relax in Sam’s company, and kept the conversation on safe subjects. His easy-going manner put her impression that he was an arrogant bastard completely to rest, and she began to enjoy the evening. With Chloe in the mix, Amber and Lewis didn’t bicker, which also enabled Maya to unwind. They talked about how fast the children were growing; Amber and Chloe would be moving up to secondary school in September. They’d find out soon if they’d got into their chosen school — they were both hoping to go to the same one, which pleased the girls. There were just the SATs to sit in May. The waitress interrupted them to clear the plates and ask if they wanted puddings. The children all excitedly said yes to ice-cream, but Sam and Maya both declined.

When the waitress arrived with the kids’ desserts, the lights suddenly dimmed in the restaurant and the music turned up loud, blasting out “Happy Birthday”. In Lewis’s ice-cream was a sparkler. Sam, Chloe and Amber sang along, while Maya quickly snapped a photo of Lewis’s surprised face as he watched the sparkler diminish.

Sam must have caught Maya’s puzzled expression. “I had a word with the waitress when you went to the ladies,” he said. “I hope that was okay?”

“Of course it was. I forgot they did that here. Thank you.”

Should she invite him back to the house for a drink? She was enjoying his company and they could talk more. Would he think she fancied him? Would he see it as anything more than two friends drinking together? Why did it make it awkward because he was the opposite sex?

Maya topped up her water glass and filled Lewis’s glass also. “Sam, would you like to come back to our house — with Chloe, of course?”

“Oh, sorry, I can’t tonight. Chloe is going to stay with my sister, as I’m meeting someone for a drink at around eight tonight.”

“Oh.” Why did her heart sink with disappointment?

“Another time, maybe? I’d like that.”

“Yes, okay.” Maya’s spirits lifted. She shouldn’t take it personally — clearly, he did have plans. This meeting wasn’t exactly pre-arranged.

“In fact, time is getting on.” Sam glanced at his watch, making Maya glance at her own. It was seven o’clock. “We’d better ask for the bill.”

The waitress placed the bill on the table, and Sam instantly pulled the little black tray towards him and placed his card on it. Maya reached in her purse to give him some money, but he pushed her hand away. “No, my treat. It’s been a pleasure to have company.”

“Are you sure?” Maya frowned.

“I insist. Chloe has thoroughly enjoyed catching up with Amber, too.”

They left the restaurant, and there was an awkward moment — Maya thought it awkward, at least. Did she hug or kiss him, like she would Emma? They nodded a goodbye, Sam shoving his hands into his pockets, and he walked one way with Chloe towards his car, and Maya walked the other with Amber and Lewis either side of her. An unfamiliar feeling crept over her: a relaxed happiness mixed with fulfilment, satisfaction. Going to the cinema and eating out with her kids had turned out to be so much more enjoyable than she’d expected.

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