Caught in the Middle

Chapter 3

So when we lit a fire, you run towards the flames
And I stood around and I watched you burn
Then I rose up to claim you and left you in the dirt
Kept my hands to myself, like I kept my word
Fool you once, never twice, I guess you've learned
- All For You – Cian Ducrot
(https://open.spotify.com/track/29Co9NKhOM5R9vWCrpkPPK?si=1ed34b375f954472)

I flip the visor down in my car to make sure that my makeup and hair stayed perfect on my way here. I look into my eyes in the mirror and blow out a puff of air. Respira e basta, Carina. We're just going to talk. I nervously lick the last of my lipstick off before reapplying with a subtler red. I wish I knew what I did with my wedding ring, because I'd really love a nervous habit like the one Maya has. I open the door and get out of my car before I lose my nerves. At least we were going to be part of a group so there won't be any awkwardness if I clamp up.

At first, I had to wait for Maya's shift to end after I had my session with Dr. Hilliam. Then when I expected her to be home and built up the courage to go see her, I got paged to the hospital and only got home after Maya was back on shift at an unknown station. Now it's been two days since I got permission to talk to her again and I still haven't seen her. I didn't want to tell her that I was finally at a place where I was ready to meet her in the middle. Dio, I couldn't wait to see her again. I have been fantasising about those blue eyes since I woke up next to her weeks ago but couldn't reach orgasm when I masturbated this morning before getting ready.

"You coming?" Spero che. I even put in leave for today and tomorrow so Maya might help me with that particular problem if I succeeded in my plan. I've been touching myself so much since that day in her kitchen and I think I ran out of fantasies. I wasn't expecting Maya to fall into my bed again immediately, but a soft kiss to light the fire in my clit will be greatly appreciated. I cough and blush at the same time when Andy clears her throat behind me. I didn't see her park next to me in Ben and Bailey's driveway. "Ehm, just getting the gift." I slip on the asphalt when I open the back door to my car too quickly, and blush even brighter when Andy bites back her laugh behind me.

I lean over the backseat and grab the gift-wrapped box behind the passenger seat. "What did you get Pru? I had the hardest time deciding on just one present. Why did her parents have to insist on only one gift per guest? I want to spoil her rotten" I slip my gift under my arm so I can help her pull the big gift bag filled with her present and balloons from her trunk. "I got her a polaroid camera, you?" She smacks herself on the head and drops the bag on the ground. "That's such a good gift. I got her a mock medical kit and about twenty balloons." I bounce the bag in my hands while we carry it to the front door with a laugh. Ben opens the door for us and invites us in, taking the gifts from us and placing them on the table in the entryway.

I straighten out my dress and curl my trembling hands into fists. I watch on as Andy greets all her friends while I gaze over their heads, looking for the blonde with those crystal eyes that have been living in my mind rent free. "Aren't you very dressed up for a five-year-old's birthday party?" Ethan winks at me while Travis joins us with three cocktails. "The grown-ups' get an option of Pina Colada or Cosmo slushies, with a double shot of rum." Travis holds up one of each, after giving his date his drink and I take the first one, gulp it down until brain freeze stops me from finishing it. "First time seeing Maya?" I press the pad of my thumb into my eye socket to help with the headache, while nodding at Ethan's observation.

"I'm freaking out. Sono un disastro emotivo." Ethan smirks at me before taking my almost empty drink from my hands to replace it with his. I give him a side hug in thanks while taking a few sips from his drink. I roped Ethan into helping me buy some flowers and wine when I got pulled into a surgery for an ER patient who had the worst case of endometriosis that I've ever treated. It was a miracle that the woman was able to drive herself to the hospital with the amount of pain she was in. We were walking out of the hospital together after we worked on my game plan to get Maya back, when I got the page that kept me busy the whole night.