Maya

 

 

I look across the penthouse to the man standing near the corridor that leads in from the private elevator. I can't believe my eyes.

"Charlie?" I turn to where he's standing next to me. "I don't know how you pulled this off, but I'm forever grateful."

He smiles softly, his index finger nudging his glasses up his nose. "We're friends, right?"

I nod. We are. We established that last night during a text exchange.

Charlie sent me a text after the broker's open house to congratulate me on its success. I didn't know he was there but he said he was and that he'd met someone. It's a woman who works in accounting. She tagged along with one of the sales agents to get a glimpse of the penthouse.

She's new, blonde and much more his type than I'll ever be.

They hit it off and he wanted to let me down easy.

He did. He was kind, gentle and assured me that our breakup, as he called it, wouldn't impact my contract with his dad to sell his place.

I fell asleep relieved that I didn't have to be the one to tell him that it was over.

"Of course, we're friends."

"I'm the kind of guy who wants his friends to succeed." His voice lightens. "I asked my other friends if they knew anyone who would be interested in living here. One of them said he had someone in mind, so that's why I brought that guy over there. He's a pretty big deal, Maya. I'm sure that he could pay cash for this place and it wouldn't put a dent in his bank account."

I'm sure of that too.

"So Trey Hale is a friend of a friend?" I question him.

"Who knew that one of my friends from high school knows the best pitcher in the league?" He laughs.  "I'm sorry we just showed up, but Anne said your showing at noon would be over so we came right down. Trey's anxious to see the place."

I glance down at my phone. It's almost one.

"I need to send a very quick text message and then I can give him the grand tour. Is he working with an agent or broker?"

"No." Charlie shakes his head. "This is the first property he's looked at. On the way over he said he just wants a place to hang his hat, or in his case, baseball cap."

I laugh as I type out a text to Julian telling him that I have to skip our lunch meeting.

"I have a good feeling about this, Maya." Charlie rests his hand on the middle of my back as we make our way toward Trey. "Today may be the day you sell this place."

 

***

 

"The thing I like best about this place is the fact that I can order up room service whenever I damn well please." Trey takes a seat at one of the stools next to the massive kitchen island. "It's a hell of a lot of space for one guy, but it's a good investment, right?"

He directs that question at Charlie who answers within a heartbeat. "Real estate in Manhattan is always a solid investment, Trey."

"I like it." He stares at the imported granite countertops. "I could throw some wicked parties in here."

He could have three hundred people in here and they'd never bump into each other. "Do you have any questions for me?"

He finally turns to look at me. He's handsome. It's just one of the reasons he's such a recognizable face in the city.  "Are you single?"

Jesus. Seriously? I know his reputation but I assumed with Charlie standing next to me, that he'd keep his libido in check.

"Questions about the property," I stress. "I can show you both the rooftop terrace if you're not afraid of a little wind and rain."

Trey scratches the beginnings of a beard that has settled on his chin. "I'm genuinely curious, Maya. Are you seeing anyone?"

"I… the thing is that I don't discuss my personal life at work." I fumble through that. "I have another private showing soon so if you'd like to have one last look around before we finish up; please feel free to do that."

"What time are you done for the day?" Trey stands and shoves his hands into the front pocket of his jeans. He takes his time looking me over, which makes me wish I had worn anything but this sleeveless blue blouse and black skirt.

"Maya's schedule is booked solid."

I hear Julian's voice from behind me just as Trey's expression shifts.

"Who are you?" he asks as he cocks his head to the side.

Julian brushes past me with his hand extended. "Julian Bishop. I own the hotel. It's good to meet you."

"You too." Trey takes his hand for a short shake before he turns back to me. "I'm taking off, Maya, but I have your number. I'll give this place some thought and then I'll be in touch."

I nod. "It was good to meet you, Trey."

He eyes me up one last time. "I'll call you before the end of the week."

As he starts to walk away, I turn to Charlie and mouth a quick 'thank you' before he takes off on Trey's heel.

"Why did you come up here?" I ask the question to Julian's back. I know he's looking at something on his phone's screen but irritation is nipping at my last nerve. "I texted you to tell you I had another showing, Julian. You know that prospective buyers can be overwhelmed if too many people are hovering around them."

He turns to face me. "I have a meeting, Maya. It can't wait. We'll need to discuss this later."

"I need you to trust me to sell this place." I stop him when I grab his forearm as he brushes past me.

He looks down at my hand before he places his over it. "I trust you. This has nothing to do with that."

"I'm just having trouble understanding why you suddenly made an appearance."

"I saw Trey walk into the lobby with Charlie." He squeezes my hand. "I'm a baseball fan. I wanted to meet the man who won the series for New York."

I can't tell if he's being genuine or not. "You like baseball?"

"I have season tickets." He traces his fingertip in a lazy circle over the top of my hand. "I am curious about something though. Why didn't Charlie step in when Trey was hitting on you?"

"Charlie knows I can take care of myself."

"I'm sure he does." He sighs deeply. "Let me rephrase my question. Explain to me why neither of you pointed out to Trey that you're dating."

"We're not." I tug my hand free of his. "Charlie met someone else."

"So it's over between you two?"  He smiles widely. "That's good to know."

"It doesn't change my rules, Julian." I rub the back of my neck. "I still won't go on a date with you."

"I know, Maya." He leans down until his lips are almost touching mine. "I won't push you to break your rules. I'll only remind you that I'm available if you ever feel the urge to break them."