Sinking Sand

*TWO MONTHS LATER*

Maya heard the door open and immediately ran out of the kitchen to it, happiness at the tip of her fingers as she saw them.

She ran and held Lina, hugging her right, hearing Lina laugh in her ears, "Donna, you're acting it out too much."

Maya smiled; it was so easy for her to say, especially not knowing how much Maya had missed her. Luca had taken her out of the manor for a two-week vacation.

How the two weeks had turned into a couple of months needed to be investigated. Those two weren't to be trusted.

She noticed Lina was looking brighter, in a yellow sundress with a large brown hat on her head. Maya looked at her, wondering what the difference was all about.

Though she looked great too, especially when her relationship with Damon had significantly improved, much to her shock, Lina's was unexpected.

During the couple of months that passed, he'd taken her to places he thought she'd like—horse riding, more operas, night dates under the moonlight—then cracked a few la