Rialoves2cook: Happy Palentines Day! It's that day of the year when we express our love for the awesome friends in our lives. The two wonderful ladies I'm spending today with are Prae and Emma.

Prae is the sweetest, most caring friend you could ask for, and if you've followed my channel, she is the amazing Thai cook and a super English teacher. She always puts others first, even at the cost of her happiness, although we're encouraging her to challenge that because she deserves it.

Emma is the life of the party, a risk-taker, a boundary pusher, and she would never back down from a fight to protect her friends. She's a loyal badass and an amazing human being. She's also way smarter than she lets on, Little Miss Biology Queen.

So here's to a day with these lovely ladies, enjoying cute drinks, desserts, and pre-Valentine Day ambiance. I encourage you to find anyone in your life you want to spend time with and make your own joy today. A big shout out to my back home supporters: Sunshine, Tina and my Mom. I wouldn't be living this version of my life without you, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.

#Friends4life #singlelife #Frenchdesserts #palentinesday

Posted: February 13th, 11:30 AM

Em&Em: Aw, here's to you, Ria! Bringing people together and overflowing with your kind, generous spirit.

PraeCharoensuk: Your friendship is a genuine gift, Maria. Friends are a reflection of the beautiful soul you present to the world.

MagicMitch: Bangkok's a better place with you in it, Maria!

Rialoves2cook: You're all going to make my heart burst.

***

Maria, Prae, and Emma planned a ladies' day for the day before Valentine's Day, since they were all single. Emma and Maria both sympathized with Prae. Two rejections in a few months would be brutal. At least Mitch had reassured Maria he liked her and would ask her out once his therapist decided he was ready. She was also convinced that Shawn had asked Emma out for tomorrow.

In the afternoon, they'd gone for massages and then relaxed at the park. Next was a cute French cafe Prae had picked for drinks and dessert. The women treated themselves to fancy drinks as they waited for the scrumptious-looking slices of cake they'd ordered. Black-and-white photographs of Paris lined the walls: the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, couples huddled under umbrellas, and historic bridges.

To think her whole online cooking presence had started as her ex trying to use her to get to that city. She'd almost had a shot at winning it too, but she was glad she stuck out the rest of the school year here, whose end was approaching in mid-March. She'd even sat down this week with the administrators to discuss her teaching preferences for the following school year and they were confident that there'd be room for her to join the Kindergarten team in May.

"Any plans for the March holidays?" Emma asked. "Three weeks of sweet, sweet freedom."

"I'm visiting my family. My brother has been asking if you're coming," Prae teased Emma.

"I hate to disappoint, but I'm also due for a visit home soon. Pop across the ocean to visit my mom and sister for at least a week, but I haven't decided how to fill the rest of the time yet, so I haven't booked anything."

Maria sighed as she thought of Tina, Sunshine, and her own mother. "I wish I could afford a flight home. Sunny's having her baby shower, and I'm like the worst aunt who will attend via Skype." Maria's debt was shrinking since coming out here, especially with the extra income from tutoring and her online platform, but she wasn't free of it just yet and hadn't worked at the school long enough to get the yearly flight reimbursement.

Emma nudged Maria's shoulder. "I bet between Shawn, Mitch, you and I, we can buy that ticket."

"I can't ask you to do that. You have your own trips to pay for."

"A bus ride to Chiang Mai is an affordable option. My family would be delighted to see you again." Prae grinned.

"Thanks, I appreciate the offer and loved seeing your family during the new year. I'll definitely consider it."

Emma sipped her Italian soda and raised an eyebrow. "You're waiting on Mitch, aren't you?"

"It's almost a month out. I don't know how long we're waiting, but a woman can hope, right?" It wasn't like he was itching to go home, and he'd find fun places to travel to cheaply. While a return flight was beyond her budget, a few bus excursions were within reach.

Prae squeezed Maria's hand. "It won't be long."

It couldn't be easy for Prae to watch Maria and Mitch inch towards a relationship when Tom had put up a romantic wall between them even while spending plenty of time with Prae. "Is Tom still being Tom?"

Prae's dull eyes said it all, despite her neutral face. "He's lost his hope in relationships."

"I'm so sorry, Prae. I wish I had never... It's like your misfortune is my fault."

Prae sipped on her black roast coffee with coconut milk. "You can't control his reactions or my feelings. Your ex broke your heart, but you wanted to open it up again. Tom doesn't."

"It took me months to move past Adrian. Tom may change his mind. You two are always together, which is a great sign, and he loves being around you. But either way, don't let it affect how amazing you are, because you absolutely are."

Emma leaned forward on her elbows. "There'll be a whole new crop of teachers in May. Fresh blood hopefully without baggage, although looking at you, Tom, and now Mitch, I'm not sure any well-adjusted person jumps on a plane to start over," she teased.

"If I was happy, I would have stayed in Edmonton, but that is a fair point about the new hires. You never know who will catch your eye, and they may be sweet like Tom."

Prae laughed. "My heart isn't ready for anyone new." Her eyes widened as the server approached with three pieces of fancy cake featuring colourful layers and decadent frosting.

Before any of them dug in, Maria had her phone out to document the occasion, despite Emma's teasing. Emma posed with the desserts, playing Vanna White. Then they each took turns digging into the delicious chocolate hazelnut, red velvet, and pistachio rose cakes.

"No matter who shows up, we'll have each other. That's worth more than any fleeting romance."

They swallowed their sweet desserts and held up their glasses and cups to cheers.

***

The following Wednesday evening, Maria ran into Mitch on the balcony after she finished tutoring at Min Min's. He stared at the passersby without even noticing her presence. It reminded her of that moment months ago, their first private conversation, when she'd just fought with Adrian and he came to chat her up while Becca was lying in his bed. He didn't resemble that version of himself anymore. The only remnants were the vacant stare, his lips ajar, and his gaze down at the city.

She walked up next to him. "What are our neighbours up to tonight?"

Mitch jolted upright and smiled at her. But having seen him earlier, she knew it was fake. "Emma will be sorely disappointed to learn that Pad Thai Guy has a girlfriend."

"Oh, something new or something we never noticed."

"There's that new relationship hesitance and chemistry."

"Good for him, and maybe for Shawn."

Mitch chuckled. "Moving on would be beneficial for Shawn."

"You don't think Emma will ever change her mind? Look at what happened to you."

"That's different. I grew up wanting a relationship and a family, but my grief and guilt twisted that desire. When Sunny and Dan made their announcement, it re-sparked that part of me and it manifested in destructive ways until you saw through my bullshit. I don't have a clue what Emma's deal is."

"I'm not sure what Em's plans are. She lives in the moment. What does Shawn want?"

"He wants a family. We agreed ages ago that our kids would be best friends. I always thought he'd end up with my sister, but..."

Maria rubbed a hand on his back and leaned into his side.

"Did you imagine living together in Nebraska?"

"Back then, yeah, but things change. Your family's in a whole different country, so that's something we'd have to consider."

"We?" Maria's eye widened, and she nudged his shoulder with a grin. "Mitch Foster, are telling me you've given thought to where we would settle down and have a family?"

"My therapist says it's healthy to think about the future."

"She have anything else to say about our not-yet relationship?"

He frowned. "Still too soon."

"Has she no empathy for my lonely heart?" Maria clutched her chest in mock pain.

Mitch laughed, but his expression sobered up. "If you're getting sick of waiting..."

"I'm just being dramatic. Obviously, I wish we could be together sooner, but I respect your process, and it helps that it's a sure thing once you're ready."

"Good." After a moment, he sighed and tapped his hands against the plaster window sill. "I called my Mom tonight."

Maria's eyes widened. He'd been putting that off last week since he dreaded his dad's reaction. "How'd it go?"

He picked at his thumbnail. "Okay. She's living in the family house... alone. She and my dad got divorced."

As his breaths grew deeper, Maira held his hand. The way he'd spoken about them gave her the impression they were together, plus he seemed dazed. It would be devastating to hear that news about her parents. "That's tough. It happens to families sometimes after a tragic loss."

"That's what she said too. They separated a few months after I moved here. Shawn knew and... I was too selfish to ask how they were doing. I'd always change the subject when he brought up home." He massaged his forehead.

"That was your trauma response, and you're working through it now. How's she doing otherwise?"

"She says she's happy. Stays busy with her friends, work, her garden, and volunteering." He ran his thumb along hers. "They had a memorial for Emily two weeks ago. My Dad was there too. They still keep in touch, even if he's living with another woman."

"Are you considering calling him?"

Mitch stayed quiet for a minute. The traffic flowed by in the distance, orange and yellow lights zooming past.

"I'm mad at him for abandoning my mom, but I've done so much worse. At least my dad is there for her to help plan the memorial and to talk to about Em. Until tonight, I was a ghost, or worse than a ghost, a cold unfeeling corpse. I'm sure he has plenty to say about that."

"You can't change the past."

"I can't believe how forgiving she is about everything."

"That's what moms do. Mine had a lot of 'we told you so's after my ex, but she took me in, got me back on my feet and nudged me an entire continent away from that jerk."

"She's a smart woman." Mitch laughed and squeezed her hand, staying quiet but rubbing his lips together like he wanted to speak. "I'd like to visit home in April."

They'd talked about working at the school's April camp together and going on a few weekend excursions since Maria needed to earn and save money, but he hadn't made a final decision yet.

"If you're ready, that sounds like a great idea."

"I know we talked about working—"

She placed both her hands on his. "I'm glad you want to do this, and I support you 100%."

"What would I do without you?"

"Learn to cook more of your own meals and be more obnoxious."

Mitch laughed. "I am cooking for us tomorrow night."

"I'm excited about it."

"Me too." His phone buzzed in his pocket. When he didn't check it, she raised an eyebrow, and he said, "My therapist. She wanted me to call after talking to my parents."

"I'll leave you to it."

He kept hold of her hands and clasped them with his other one. "I'll be thinking about you."

She stepped closer to him and boldly asked, "Oh yeah, us and our future family?"

His intense, loving gaze told her she'd said the right thing. "Mm-hmm, our gorgeous kids who are going to be brilliant and amazing human beings."

"Like their dad." Her stomach danced with excitement, pushing her boldness even further. "And it's three kids, just so we're on the same page."

Mitch laughed and grinned at her. "That's a good number." His gaze softened as he bit his bottom lip. "I wish I could kiss you right now."

"Me too." She pressed her lips together and stepped back, reluctantly releasing his hand. "I'll leave you to your phone call. Who knows, maybe you'll knock on my door with good news later."

"It's too soon, but I'm getting closer every day."

"Today was a big step, and I'm proud of you."

"Thanks. I couldn't do it without you."

"Happy to help. Have a good night." She blew him a kiss before heading into her room.

All that talk about family was making her crave a chat with her own. At this hour, Sunny would be free, and Maria couldn't wait to share what Mitch had just implied about their future. She'd wait for him as long as he needed, knowing they would have that together.

*** 

Thanks for reading! Only four chapters left! Hard to believe it's so close to wrapping up. Tom is up next. 

Happy holidays to any of you celebrating this month. I'll update more next week :)