Maya

We exit the store with my new present in tow. I smile up at the sky and breathe in the fresh scent of cookies in the air.

Richard pulls out a package of Tums from his pocket. He pops one in his mouth and rubs his chest.

“Heartburn?” I prop my sunglasses back on my nose.

“Yup.”

“Interesting. I always wondered if you had your heart surgically removed to save you the trouble.”

“I tried. Turns out the doctor didn’t feel comfortable with the low survival rate.”

“Those cowards.”

He releases one of his laughs. The kind that’s so low, it’s hard to hear over the screaming and laughing children around us. The sound sends a warmth through my body I find impossible to ignore.

I really need to get the hell away from Richard before I do something stupid like kiss him again. “Well, nice seeing you. I…