3D: Double Date

Life had too many variables. When Maya and Ranveer moved into their new home, she assumed being closer to Penny would make their social lives easier. Curveballs curtailed every plan they made to link up, and she grew weary of it. Penny’s SimTube channel blew up and so did her popularity. Demand for Penny Pizzazz increased so much she hired a personal assistant to help manage her schedule. Everyone wanted her as a guest on their show. When she wasn’t on-air being fabulous, she was a new mother to THE cutest creature on the planet. Gabriel’s cute, chubby cheeks desperately needed auntie kisses and, come hook or crook, Maya determined to find space in their calendars for girl time. Saturday afternoon lunch wasn’t what she had in mind, but it was the only opportunity for weeks. Because the window of time was so small, they opted for a double date instead. They didn’t hang out as couples much, and it was important for their men to become friends too.

Maya’s phone rang when they arrived. “I’ll be right in,” she said to everyone. “I need to take this.”

Ranveer disapproved of work intruding on play time. But the way he snarled whenever her phone buzzed outside of business hours made it seem like the calls were a constant occurrence. True, it happened more often, but not nearly as much as he implied.

“Baby, I promise it’ll be quick!”

He and Penny went inside to secure a table. Sven also lingered outside, busying himself on the phone. The call ended quickly, just like she promised. The vice president of marketing needed her blessing on the new campaign despite her giving it two meetings ago.

Up ahead, a familiar, slim frame blocked her path. She’d recognize that under-cut man bun anywhere. He hadn’t crossed her mind in forever. How should she play this? Strike a conversation? Pretend she didn’t see him? Flashes of their first date flooded her mind—mainly that delicious kiss at the end of the night. His plump lips tempted her ever since they first met; she had to kiss them. They were smooth and supple, and his tongue knew exactly what to do. The memory, however, carried no pleasant feelings; what a relief. Nothing was worse than running into an old acquaintance for whom she still carried a torch. Did he ever meet Carlee? Sadly, Maya and Juliana didn’t keep in touch much. Worse yet, they lived across the street from each other now.

Memories of their sour last interaction clenched her jaw. Akira was a slimeball who should have never gotten into her system. It angered her how quickly her feelings for unworthy men intensified. Why was she so desperate for affection?

Ignoring him seemed like the best option since she could slip past him. But, as the universe would have it, he spotted her. “Maya?”

“Oh! Hi, Akira,” she said in her best fake surprised voice.

The old feelings faded, but he was still gorgeous. Those black holes above his nose attempted to suck her into his atmosphere, but she stood firm. His luscious lips looked as delectable as ever, but she didn’t desire them anymore. Maya was a grown woman now with grown up tastes, and Ranveer satisfied every craving. No one would ever compare to him.

“Wow. Umm…how are you?” she asked out of habit but didn’t care, honestly.

He shrugged. “I’m straight. You know how I do.”

What did that even mean? They barely knew each other, and their one and a half dates didn’t make them friends.

His eyes drifted slowly to her shoes back to her eyes making pit stops along the way irritating her even more. “You looking good, girl.”

What a sad life he led as a grown man still acting like a horny teenager. To make matters worse, he still had a wife regardless of the nature of the marriage.

“Thank you,” she said firmly. She finally noticed the uniform and asked, “Are you working here now?”

“Oh. Yeah. Just a lil sum’ on the side. I want a divorce, and I know my folks gon’ cut me off, so I’m just tryna get ahead of the game, know what I’m sayin’?”

She chuckled nervously, itching for an exit. “I can’t say that I do, but I’m sorry to hear that.” She cleared her throat. “It was nice to see you, Akira.” Lies. “My fiance is waiting for me, so…”

Fiance rolled off her tongue so slick and smooth like Bailey Kay lyrics. Every time she said it, her insides tingled. “Take care of yourself, ok?”

He snorted. “You just gon’ drop that on me and leave?”

She smiled mischievously. “I seem to recall you did the same to me. Have a nice life!”

Akira hadn’t been on her radar for a while, but it still felt good to ruffle his feathers.

“Sorry, guys,” she said and took a menu.

Ranveer nodded toward the window. He’d seen the whole conversation. “You ok?”

He was the sweetest man!

“Yeah! I’m fine. He was just…an old fan. I need carbs! Where’s the carb section?” she said, flipping through the pages.

Penny laughed. “Girl, you’re a mess!”

Ranveer’s eyes lingered on her, but it was neither the time nor place to discuss Akira’s role in Maya Pruett history. His memory was so good, he probably already figured it out.

“Penny, you are killing that sweater! I’m low-key mad I don’t own it. The color is fantastic!”

“I’m just trying to keep up with you, girl!”

“This restaurant is really cool,” Ranveer said to Penny.

“Isn’t it? The owner called me to come to a preview event in hopes I’d do a review. I never heard of him, but it turns out he’s the cousin of some famous painter out in the valley.”

Ranveer nodded, eyeing the place. “It has a distinct look. Is there a story?”

He had the keenest eye Maya had ever known. The restaurant was nice, but it looked like every other restaurant she’d been to. What did he see?

“Ooh, I enjoyed that part,” Penny said. “So, SolCaf is actually short for Soul Cafe! He said this restaurant has everything you need to feed your soul and wants it to be known for the best comfort food, desserts, and entertainment. There’s a little stage out back and everything.”

“Ooh! We must come back sometime and see who’s playing,” Maya said.

A paparazzo encroached on their space as he tried to take pictures of some B-Lister next to them. It didn’t bother Maya, but Penny was over it.

She snorted. “Remember when Oasis Springs used to be a sleepy little town?”

Sven snorted.”Seriously. We all moved here at the right time. This area is developing like crazy!”

“Right? Penny, have you been to that new spa? I heard it’s top notch.”

“Not yet, but you know it’s on the list. I’ll scoop you up when I go.”

“Maybe next time we all hang out, we’ll go to the winery that just opened,” Sven said.

Ranveer chuckled. “What hasn’t opened in Oasis Springs this year? We got this restaurant, the winery, spa … I know there’s like two or three more things.”

“The market,” the ladies said simultaneously.

“I peaked in there one time when I went to my dress shop,” Maya said. “It looks great, but it’s not for me.”

“Why not?” Ranveer asked.

“You know me. I like name brands and unique finds. There’s a few off-the-rack clothing stores, a bookstore, and people selling stuff they made.”

“Sounds cute,” Penny said.

They all sounded like old married couples talking about the good old days and what’s wrong with society today. Enough! “How is my baby?!”

“OH!” Penny reached into her bag. “I keep forgetting to give you these. We did a little impromptu photoshoot at the house.” She handed her two pictures.

“OH MY GOODNESS HE IS THE CUTEST THING EVER!!!”

Ranveer took the pictures. “What a handsome little guy. Good thing he’s a blonde because he looks nothing like you, man.”

“He better look like me,” Penny yelled. “I did all the work!”

Sven laughed. “Maybe next time.”

She snorted. “You better pray there’ll be a next time.”

Cute babies dotted Maya’s timeline throughout the day. Just that morning, she perused Simstagram and drooled all over Octavia’s new family photos.

Seeing her precious daughter brought on a slight headache. Gabriel pushed her over the edge into full-blown baby fever: a strange feeling she never had before. She always assumed she’d have children one day, but they weren’t something she dreamed about. Now, from nowhere, all she wanted was a cute, snuggly baby with kissable cheeks.

“Let’s have a baby!!”

“Uh oh,” Penny said. “You’re in trouble, Ranveer.”

“What’s wrong with that?” Maya asked. “Now is a great time! We’ve got our house, we’re getting married, and my birthday is around the corner. And, you know she’d be super cute!”

“She?” Penny said. “Girl, you are the last person who needs a daughter!”

“What? Why? I totally want a mini me!”

“And that’s exactly why you don’t need a girl. The world isn’t wide enough for two Maya’s.”

Everyone laughed except Maya.

“Whatever! She would be a gift to the world! Right, Ranveer?”

“Of course, babe. Let’s make a tiny Maya.”

Penny giggled. “You two are so disgustingly cute.”