Spinach Smile & Goldfish Guts

Maya's first real date with Jake was exactly thirty seconds old when she noticed the spinach. It was wedged between her front teeth like a tiny green neon sign flashing SOCIAL SUICIDE. She'd spent forty minutes on her eyeliner alone, but apparently, the universe had other plans.

"So," Jake said, leaning across the table at Bean There, Drank That. "I was thinking we could catch that new Marvel movie after this? Unless you're not into superhero stuff."

Maya's brain split into two panic tracks. Track One: OMG HE'S MAKING PLANS FOR AFTER THIS THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING. Track Two: YOUR SMILE LOOKS LIKE A SALAD BAR INCIDENT.

"Yeah, totally," she said, keeping her lips pressed together in what she hoped passed as a mysterious half-smile but probably looked like she was in pain. "Marvel's awesome."

"Cool." Jake's phone buzzed. He checked it, then did that thing where he grimaced-sighed. "My mom. Her car broke down again. She needs me to pick up my little brother from practice."

"Oh no, is she okay?" The spinach felt heavier somehow.

"Yeah, she's fine. My brother's the problem. He's got this new goldfish obsession." Jake rolled his eyes. "Like, he's ALLERGIC to everything with fins, but he won this one at the school fair and named it Glitter. Now I'm basically a fish chauffeur."

Maya laughed before she could stop herself, revealing everything. Jake didn't flinch. Either he hadn't noticed, or he was being spectacularly polite about the situation in her mouth.

"Hey, you've got a little—" He gestured to his own teeth.

Her soul left her body. "Spinach?"

"Tiny bit." His smile was genuine. "Happens to the best of us. Last week, I gave a presentation with poppy seeds in my braces. My teacher thought I had cavities."

Maya's shoulders dropped three inches. She used her tongue to dislodge the spinach.

"Better?" she asked.

"Perfect." Jake checked his phone again. "I should probably go handle the fish situation, but... I had a really good time. Even with the spinach." He stood up, hesitated. "Maybe we could finish the movie this weekend?"

"I'd love that," Maya said, and this time she smiled with her whole face.

Her phone buzzed as Jake walked away. A text from her best friend: WELL??? HOW'D IT GO??? DID YOU DIE???

Maya typed back: NO DEATH. MINOR VEGETABLE INCIDENT. BUT HE ASKED FOR A SECOND DATE SO I'LL TAKE IT.

She ordered another coffee, sat back, and allowed herself to feel okay with being exactly the kind of person who got spinach stuck in her teeth on first dates. Jake didn't seem to mind. And honestly? That was better than perfect anyway.