After Sunday mass, Maria and Tom strolled along the riverside, a cool breeze rippling the water. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and gazed at the passing river taxis and other watercraft instead of at her. They had talked little since the party except to check on each other's hangovers this morning. Water and Advil had helped dull hers. She worried that her drunken actions had ruined things between them.

She tucked her hair behind her ear. "Listen, I'm sorry about yesterday. I shouldn't have said what I did."

Tom shifted his attention to her and smiled, but it seemed forced. "We all act a little different when we're drinking."

"I hope I didn't offend you."

"No, it's flattering, but..." His gaze returned to the riverbank.

Was he going to turn her away like Mitch had or confess he found her unattractive? Did Tom suspect she was chasing off her feelings for Mitch by being intimate with him? It was a terrible reason to imply they sleep together. She should have stayed sober yesterday. "But what?"

Tom scratched at his neck and sighed. "I like us, and I like you, but I don't think I can move as fast as you want."

A soothing breeze blew past her warm face. "I was drunk and being impulsive. It's only been three weeks. That's not where I'm at either." Perhaps things would feel less forced if they took a few steps back.

He relaxed and put his arm around her shoulder. "That's a relief. I'd hate to disappoint you."

"Of course not. We've been to awesome restaurants, explored cool parks, handled more strange drunken situations than expected."

Tom stroked her shoulder. "We'll blame that last one on the holidays. Are you happy, y'know, with us?"

She might not have been certain about her feelings or what the future held, but everything was more optimistic now. With the way Mitch lingered around Prae during the party, he'd moved on. Maria leaned her head on Tom's shoulder. "Yeah, I am. Are you?"

She could have sworn he paused for longer than normal, before saying, "Very much so."

***

On Monday morning, Maria left for work early to cleanse her mind of the weekend and hopefully run into Prae before Mitch arrived. Her curiosity about what transpired between them burned. Maria and Prae had only exchanged a few texts since the party. In the staff room, Maria stopped by Prae's desk to check on her. The Thai woman wore a long face, yet her hair and uniform were immaculate as usual.

Maria extended a square container toward Prae. "Hey, I brought leftovers for you."

"Thank you. That's very sweet." Prae looked around the staffroom then returned her attention to Maria.

"How are you?"

The desk beside Prae was empty, so Maria hoped to hear an honest answer. "I am not sure how you do that most weekends. Not only is my head sore, I fear I made a fool of myself."

"We all did, and I have plenty of times in the past. Most people forget and move on."

"Even Shawn and Mitch?"

Maria laughed as they were usually the instigators. "Especially Shawn and Mitch. Hopefully, they didn't give you a hard time on Saturday."

"They are funny men and surprising. Did you know Mitch tutors children for no pay?" Prae smiled.

Maria believed the statement, but why had he told Prae but never Maria? They were supposed to be close friends.

Because he's trying to impress her.

"I didn't know, but it doesn't surprise me."

"He even seemed upset when Shawn told me."

Maria let out a breath of relief. "Mitch is one of the few people I know who not only doesn't take credit but who hides his good deeds." He hadn't once mentioned his apology to Becca that Emma had told Maria about, nor did he bring up the times he'd supported her through her emotional turmoil.

"Why?"

Maria shrugged. "I wish I knew." It would mean she'd have a better shot at knowing why he didn't want her or any serious relationship. Perhaps she would find out one day since he had opened up about his sister.

"I think I was wrong about him, and you were right."

Before Maria could force a smile and respond, the staff room doors opened, and Mitch and Shawn entered with coffees. Shawn greeted Emma and the rest of their keystage while Mitch strode to Prae and Maria.

"One for you," he handed a cup to Maria, who inhaled the hazelnut aroma with a sigh and thanked him. "And a black roast with coconut milk for you."

Prae froze and didn't meet Mitch's outstretched hand. "Thank you, but I didn't ask for anything."

"Too bad. Now that I know your order, you're stuck with it." He leaned in to whisper something to her and she whispered back.

Maria wanted to focus on anything but them and what might have happened when Mitch walked her home. Had they hooked up or kissed? Or had Prae turned him down, and he was persisting as he had with Maria?

"Thank you." She accepted the cup and placed it next to her workbooks. "Why the coffee?"

"Because Mondays suck and coffee doesn't."

Maria inhaled the scent of the delicious brew. "I endorse this logic."

He chuckled and looked Maria up and down. Her cheeks became warm, and she hoped they hadn't gone pink. His smile grew. "You seem mostly recovered from Saturday. Last I saw you, you were out cold on a lounge chair."

"My neck's still stiff, but I'm good other than that. Sorry for not spending more time with you both at the party."

"That's okay, you and Tom seemed very happy," Prae said. "We didn't want to interrupt."

Mitch ran a hand through his hair, reminding Maria of all the times he'd done that to hers. "We had plenty of fun on your behalf and complained every other minute to make up for Tom's absence."

Prae gave Mitch a stern look. "That is not how he is most of the time."

Mitch laughed. "Even Prae, the most diplomatic of us all, sees it."

"I see what?"

"You said most of the time, which means there are times when he's a total downer."

"That's not what I said!" Prae crossed her arms but fought a smile.

Maria took a bigger sip of her coffee, which burned her tongue. She should have been more patient. Prae and Mitch's dynamics had changed after the party. Their discomfort was like a melting iceberg that was nothing but a cube now. Would Mitch replace her as his close friend as she dated Tom? Could he be open and vulnerable with someone other than her? She should be happy for him, but she felt like an insignificant speck.

His voice interrupted her thoughts. "Maria can decide for us. Is Tom—"

"Is Tom what?" came the chipper voice of their subject.

"Wonderful," Prae supplied.

Tom snorted. "I doubt my name and wonderful would come out of his mouth. Did Maria give you the leftovers?"

Prae smiled and drummed her fingers on the plastic container. "You didn't need to, but I will certainly enjoy them."

"You did most of the work on the pierogies, you deserve them."

Mitch raised an eyebrow and looked pointedly at Maria before turning back. "You two made food together, just the two of you?"

"They invited me to help, but I'd already committed myself to the decorations," Maria added.

"Your help was very appreciated with those." The way Mitch's eyes met hers made her stomach flip.

She hated how he could hit it off with Prae one minute, then bring back every intimate moment they shared with just a look. His charm was unfair.

"They were beautiful! Maria, I loved the photo of you, Mitch, and I making tacos together. So goofy!"

Maria hadn't noticed that photo up on the wall, but she remembered him inviting himself and making the night memorable.

"I've got the photos at my place. Do you want that one, Prae?"

"It was Maria's wonderful meal, she should have it."

It was probably a bad idea to keep reminders of her unrequited crush, but she agreed to take it. Of all the photos he'd printed, why had that one stood out the most and had he printed it for a reason?