RIDE OR CRY
"You've been quiet all morning," Jesse said, sliding onto the stool next to Maya. "Quieter than usual, I mean. You're not even drinking your coffee. That's a crime in this establishment. We have standards here. Low standards, but standards nonetheless."
Maya stared at the mug in front of her. The coffee had gone cold hours ago, a skin forming on the surface. She hadn't touched it. She hadn't touched anything. The ceramic was cool against her fingertips, a stark contrast to the heat building in her chest. "I'm fine."
"You're a terrible liar."
"I'm an excellent liar. You just don't want to believe me."
"I don't want to believe you because I care about you." His voice was softer now, more serious. The humor had drained from his eyes, replaced by something genuine and concerne
