As if you ever needed to ask

"Well would you look at that," Josh said as he wrapped his arms around Maya from behind. "I caught a sneaky Maya." He said grinning against her cheek.

"Josh!" Maya squealed and turned around to kiss him. "Happy birthday!" she said as they ended the kiss. "I've missed you so much!"

"Oh really?" Josh said and released his hold on Maya to cross his arms in an attempt to look serious. "Is that why you've been blowing me off these last days?" Josh asked and immediately missed the feeling of having her in his arms.

"I had to help Daimon with something extra secretive. Believe me, if I could have spent time with you then I would have."

"Just for that, get back here." He answered back and wrapped her in his arms around her again. "I've also missed you, so damn much." Maya turned around so that she could lean her back against his chest. The way that she fit in his embrace so perfectly only strengthened her resolve.

"You're going to be proud of what me and Daimon have been up to though. And after that I have a surprise for you."

"You didn't have to do that. It's my duty to spoil you today." Josh told her.

"As if I would ever allow that to happen. It's your birthday, and valentine's day goes both ways in my opinion. I'm going to make sure that it's perfect for you. Just like how you did with my birthday."

"For it to be perfect you're going to have to promise me one thing."

"What's that Josh?"

"Always stay close to me so that I can keep you in my arms." Josh bent down and pressed his lips against her cheek.

"I'm not going anywhere Josh." Maya told him and looked him dead in the eye. "You're going to have to pick up the pace though. You don't want to miss this!" Maya said as she grabbed his hand and pulled him along towards the nearest parking spot on campus.

"Where are we going Maya? You were heading towards my room earlier. This is the completely opposite direction."

"I was just going to get you. I was told by Daimon that you were going to be waiting in your room for me."

"I wanted to surprise you. I'll take any chance that I can get." I guess that makes two of us. I hope you brought money for a cab ride by the way?"

"I did, but why are we taking a cab?"

"I was joking, the cab ride is covered by a third party that is soon to be revealed. We're taking a cab because walking would have taken too long."

"Will you tell me where we are going then?"

"Could you take us to this address?" Maya asked as she opened the door to the cab and handed the driver a paper note. "And don't let this guy see the note that I just gave you. It's a birthday surprise."

"Maya, what are you planning now?"

"This is actually not a part of my plan, the third party asked me keep their identity hidden until the opportune moment. You will see soon enough though." Maya smiled pulled Josh in for a kiss. She knew that Josh still hadn't completely given up on the idea of getting to know what Maya was planning, but just as she had, Josh had missed her enough to immediately melt into the kiss. Maya figured she was killing two bird with one stone. She was finding it more and more difficult to avoid answering Josh's questions every time he asked, and she felt like this time alone was definitely overdue.

"We have arrived at the address." The cab driver said after coughing to gain their attention. After the kiss had ended Maya had simply been leaning on josh who had his eyes on her and his arms wrapped around her. Neither of them had been aware of how far they'd driven.

"Thank you very much, have a nice day." Maya said before closing the door to the cab that drove off.

"Maya. Why are we here?"

"I told you that this isn't my plan. He wanted to wait for as long as possible to reveal himself. Now let's go." Maya said and pulled Josh towards an apartment complex that Josh recognized well.

"What's my brother planned for me now?"

"Yes, your brother lives here, but we are not here to meet him. Maya used her key to let herself and Josh in.

"Why would Shawn or Katy want to meet me on my birthday?"

"Why don't you just hold on for a little bit longer and you'll get an explanation soon enough." Maya said and opened the door to her parents' apartment. "Dad, we're here!" Maya announced and Shawn ran into the living room.

"Happy birthday!" He said and brought a shocked Josh into a hug.

"uh, thanks a lot." Josh said when Shawn released him. He seemed to still be struggling to regain his composure.

"So, according to Maya, I have to be quick with this because she's running such a tight schedule." Josh took a look at Maya who decided that that was the perfect time to smile as innocently as she could. "Right, you're hired." Shawn said.

"Thanks. Wait, hold on, what?" Josh figured he must have heard wrong,

"You remember what I told you back when you visited, and we worked on photographing? We have an open position if you want to join us after you're finished with this semester. Are you interested?"

"Are you really sure about this?"

"You're going to have a steep learning curve, but yes I am sure."

"And this is not just because I'm dating your daughter, right?" Josh asked.

"Are you actually trying to talk me out of giving you the job? You must really not want it."

"No! That's not it at all. I just don't feel like I deserve it. I just want to be sure that it goes to whoever you believe to be the right person for the job."

"We all have things to learn. That goes for me, you and any other who are working in the company. What I see in you and what I really like is the fact that you are actively looking for ways to improve. Now do we have a deal?" Shawn asked and held out his hand towards Josh.

"As if you even have to ask."

"I had to ask, and you didn't even give me a straight answer without arguing first!"

Right. We're getting there with the story. LEt's hope I can keep this up. See ya!