As soon as possible

Laila shrugged a bit. Still looking as unsure as she did before. Letting Maria believe that she was contemplating what to do. "Sure, he is a kind guy and we get along. After all, he is Noah's best friend. There was no way he would not be kind and because of the roles we play in Noah's life, we kind of have to get along. Since he is who he is and the way he is, I have no real objections or anything. It is just that I am not sure what he would want with two women? Doesn't he have a better way to spend his evening? Noah can't possibly be his only friend with that personality of his. I don't want him to come and stay here because he feels obligated to be here for me."

Maria threw her hands up and rolled her eyes out of frustration. Having been forced to admit his true purpose in coming here and her actual thoughts on the matter. "Ugh, fine! Have it your way. He is coming here because he is being a good friend to both you and Noah but also because he wants to spend time with me. In case you forgot, you tried real hard to set me and him up. Only now that we are giving things a go that you have suddenly developed a case of amnesia mixed with cluelessness. Things are going well between us and I want to make the most of the time that I have here. I am going back home in a little over a week. I can't have this still hanging in the middle by the time that I leave. So, if you have no preference, then I want to go with mine."

As Laila chuckled at Maria's passion filled reaction at her teasing, Maria excused herself for the second time that day and said, "Well, since that is settled I will leave the room for a little bit to let him know it is okay for him to come. Or should I stay so that you can hear our conversation live instead of having to wait until you get the recap from me at a later point." Though Maria said this, she had left through the doors almost immediately after she had said it, leaving no room for Laila to actually respond and take her up on her offer. Causing Laila, who loved being the witness to such a sweet and awkward blooming of Maria's relationship, to chuckle in sheer happiness and delight.

Shortly after Maria had gotten herself the answer she wanted, she was on the phone to tell Steve the good news. "Hey, it's me again. Maria." Steve chuckled the moment he heard Maria's self-introduction for the second time that day. He found it endearing how she insisted on saying who she was, despite him being able to dream her voice and having repeated every single word she has said to him at least once in his mind. So, even if he didn't have caller-ID, there was no way that he would not recognize that it was her over the phone. However, this time, he did not interrupt and she did not allow herself to be slowed down because of something like shyness or embarrassment.

In a clear, warm and slightly excited voice, Maria said, "I was calling to let you know that Laila is fine with you coming over for dinner tonight. So, there is no need for you to look for someone or something else to fill your time. You can just head here when you get off work." Steve smiled as he listened to Maria's words. When Maria finished speaking, Steve responded with an equally warm yet soothing voice, revealing the love he felt for her at that very moment, and said, "Great, I look forward to it already. I'll be sure to finish up here on time, so that I can rush to you as soon as possible." Maria responded a bit more shyly and said, "I'll be waiting".

But as she was getting ready to end the call, Steve added one last thing. "Oh wait, I might be a little later than 'as soon as possible'. There is something I have in mind for tonight. Tell the chefs to leave the dessert to me. Well, I will get back to work. Now that I know I won't be dining with some guy or alone, I have to get to work so that I can finish on time." After that he ended the call, and Maria was left wondering what Steve had thought of so suddenly, to have him take away from the time they were supposed to be spending together.

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Now that the calls had been made and decisions had been taken, all Maria and Laila could do, was wait. So, instead of wasting their time staring at the ceiling, Laila had decided to be productive and get started on something of her own. She had used the large dining table to spread out her different materials and swatches. Using that as a way to inspire herself. Troubles in love had been a source of inspiration for all types of art for many years, so why not let it inspire her too? If there was a way for her to make the most of a situation, why not take it. That way maybe she would have something to show to Noah when she told him of the decision she had made. All in all it promised to be an eventful evening, which could go either way!