Julian

 

 

I stare at the two offer sheets in front of me. One is a result of Maya's hard work and dedication. The other is the result of my selfish need to push my past as far away as I can.

"Julian?" Maya says my name from where she's standing near the doorway.

She'd left to freshen up and to give me space to absorb everything she told me about her past. I was surprised and confused, but also grateful that she opened up the way that she did. It helps me understand her and the way she loves.

It changes absolutely nothing about my feelings. If anything I care more deeply about her. It took courage to be that vulnerable. I admire her for that.

"Yes?" I turn in my chair to look at her.

"Let Isadora find her path." She takes a step toward me. "I know I have no right to suggest anything here, but you want her to find a life that is fulfilling for her, so give her a chance to do that. If you still want me, I know I can deal with her. Together, you and I are stronger than her pain."

"I want you, Maya." I push myself to my feet. "I'm in love with you."

"I'm in love with you too." Tears well in her eyes. "This time it's real. I can tell."

"How can you tell?" I go to her and wipe the tears from her cheeks with the pad of my thumb.

She wraps her arms around my waist as she stares into my eyes. "If you told me today that you didn't love me and that you wanted to find your happiness, I'd let you go because I love you enough to want that for you."

I swallow past the lump in my throat. "I can't say that I'd do the same, Maya. Now, that I have you, I'll never let you go."

"Don't let go then." She rises to her tiptoes to kiss my jaw. "Hold me forever."

"That's my intention." I claim her mouth with a soft kiss. "I want this to be my forever."

 

***

 

"I don't expect you to make a decision tonight." Maya picks up her briefcase. "You have a lot to consider and I can't tell you what will or won't work with Isadora. I don’t want this decision to come back to haunt us in the future."

"Do you have a pen?" I hold out my hand.

She fishes inside her purse and finally pulls out a blue pen. "Here's one. Are you going to accept an offer?"

"The clock is running out, Maya." I point to her wrist. "If I don't sign one of these by midnight, your contract with Bishop will be null and void."

She looks at the watch on her wrist. "This says it's three a.m.,  but I don't own a watch that tells the actual time."

I laugh. "You'll have to explain that to me sometime."

"Anytime." Her eyes fall to her phone's screen. "We have thirty minutes to spare."

"I'm proud of you." I rest the pen on the table. "I've never been more proud of anyone in my life."

A smile tugs at her mouth. "Coming from you that means everything, Julian."

I look down at the two offer sheets again.

"I need to thank you for taking this chance on me." She slicks her tongue over her bottom lip. "It's been a challenging month, and my stress levels have been off the charts, but I know, without a doubt, that this is what I'm supposed to be doing. I love this job. I love everything about it and now, I have more drive than I've ever had before."

"You're one of the best brokers in this city," I say that with sincerity. "You're going to have a long and very successful career."

"This is just the beginning." She leans her hip against the table before she smooths her hand over the skirt of her red dress. "I have two new listing appointments for later this week and I have another two clients who are set to sell in late summer, so I'm going to be okay."

"You have a pretty great boyfriend." I point out with a grin. "He's going to ask you to move in with him soon."

Her eyes drop to the offer sheets. "I'll say yes to that. He's a keeper."

I pick up the pen. "One day after you move in, he'll tell you he wants to marry you."

Her voice softens. "I'll tell him I want to marry him too."

I hold the pen in the air. "He'll do his best to make every one of your dreams come true."

Her hand on my forearm stops me. "Listen to your heart, Julian. You told me to do that and I'm asking you now to do the same. I'll accept your decision, whatever it is."

I want there to be no doubt in her mind about what I'm about to do. I want her to know instinctively that I will put her first, always. Protecting her may have been the driving force behind my effort to negotiate a deal that would remove Isadora from my life, but I won't allow my ex-girlfriend to dictate my decisions anymore.

I kiss Maya tenderly before I sign on the dotted line, agreeing to sell the penthouse to Irene and Tom Clarkson.