“Yo Maya, who are your cute friends?” he asked, grinning.

Zola’s eyes widened as she took in the new boy’s appearance. Maya jumped up to hug Azar’s arm and then dragged him down onto the long bench we were sitting on. There wasn’t much room so we ended up squishing, slightly. I smiled thinly as Zola blinked at me, I could tell she thought he was hot. Sunita was freaking out due to the unexpected boy at our table, her eyes went down to stare into the depths of her drink. I tried to catch her gaze to reassure her but it was no good.

“Azar, this is Zola, Sunita, and you remember Diana,” Maya chirped.

“Does he?” Zola piped in, looking over at me. A sigh escaped my lips.

“Ah yes, apple butter girl,” Azar recalled. Zola coughed out a laugh at his description.

“Diana, I’m Diana,” I stressed, looking past Maya at the young man.

“Yes, Apple Butter is just a special nickname for only her closest friend,” Zola joked, eyeing Azar.

“Really?” Maya asked, looking mildly shocked. I heard Sunita giggle.

“She’s joking Maya,” Azar whispered, reaching over to pick up their iced coffee. He took a sip before placing the drink back down on the table. “Bleh, what is that flavor?”

“I couldn’t decide so I got all of them. If you don’t like it go get your own!” Maya said playfully, swatting Azar on the arm. “This was a gift from Diana.”

“Fine, fine,” Azar conceded. “But after I order we should go, you don’t want to intrude on their time. Also, we have to stick to our schedule.”

“Awwww,” Maya moaned sadly.

“I’ll be right back,” Azar said, rolling his eyes. He stood up, stuffing his hands in his pockets before wandering over to the counter to place his order. I watched several people in the café staring at him as he passed, Zola included. Sunita let out a small sigh once he was gone, as she was always nervous around new people, especially men.

“Maya, before he gets back I have to know, is Azar your boyfriend?” Zola asked, dropping her voice to a hushed whisper. I nearly choked on my drink. Leave it to Zola to ask the juicy questions first. A loud string of laughter escaped Maya’s lips. They were so loud that the people at nearby tables turned towards us, concerned. I glanced across the café at Azar who was watching Maya from a distance, a quizzical expression on his face.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh that much,” Maya apologized, wiping a tear from the corner of their eye. “No, no he is not.”

“So you’re just friends? Siblings? Co-workers?” Zola pressed.

“I don’t think I have the right words to describe it,” Maya mused, pressing a finger to their lips. “But if you want to date Azar you should ask.” Maya glanced quickly over at Azar before leaning in, dropping their voice to a low whisper. “He is getting over a bad break up so he is free right now.”

Zola pursed her lips as she thought about the idea, before shaking her head. “Hmm, he’s cute but I don’t do messy breakups.”

“Aren’t you also talking to that college dude you met at the nursery?” I remembered. I took a swig from my mocha as Zola waved her finger at me.

“Ah yes, AJ,” Zola said. “We’ve bonded, you know.”

“Over plants,” I coughed, smiling slightly. I thought the story was cute. She apparently discovered her college boy at the city nursery, attempting to explain to an employee how to care for a rare plant. That employee made a nasty comment towards the college boy and Zola swooped in to lay into the worker. They exchanged phone numbers and have been flirting ever since.

“Don’t you judge me, Massey,” Zola remarked, with a raise of her eyebrows.

“That sounds so sweet!” Maya gushed.

“She’s going to ask him out soon,” Sunita piped in.

“I’m working up the nerve okay?” Zola said defensively. “AJ is always super busy with his work and school, and anyway I’m still in high school, so there is the age difference which is kinda creepy.”

“And so, when you magically turn eighteen then it’s not creepy?” I countered. Zola made a face at my comment. “Well, at least you have someone to talk to.”

“Oh, you have plenty of suitors Dai, in fact, I even hear Len is interested,” Zola quipped. Sunita and I both made a sour face at her, groans escaping our lips. Zola conceded, bowing her head in apology. “Okay, okay, not funny, I get it. Well hey, what about Casimir?”

“What about him?” I challenged, my cheeks growing hot.

“Who is Casimir?” Maya whispered.

Zola only seemed too happy to answer, “Well-”

“Okay time’s up,” Azar announced, appearing suddenly at the tableside. “We’ve gotta run.”

“Aw, it was just getting good,” Maya grumbled, hunching their shoulders. But even as they protested I saw Maya sliding slowly off of the bench. Azar produced a bag from his side, setting it on the table.

“Some muffins for you ladies,” he explained as we all looked at the bag. “Thanks for keeping Maya company.”

“Our pleasure,” Zola responded, eyeing the bag happily.

“Thank you for the muffins,” Sunita offered, nodding her head at the pair.

I looked up at Maya and Azar, and a strange feeling came over me like I wanted to talk with them more. Even though we had just met I felt a connection. I realized that I was silently staring and everyone was waiting for me to say goodbye.

“I hope we can meet again,” I blurted out. Way to be weird Diana.

Maya’s face broke into a large smile and they nodded. “Yes, please!”

“We’ll be around,” Azar promised, winking. We watched as the pair exited the café and passed by our window down the street. Azar had slung his arm around Maya’s shoulder as they chatted excitedly. I stared out the window long after they had disappeared, curious to know more about them. Zola opened the muffin bag, digging deep inside.

“Dibs on chocolate.”

“No fair!”

“Did anyone get their phone numbers?” Sunita wondered out loud.

“Dang it,” I muttered, taking one last glance out the window before settling in to enjoy my coffee.