Maya

 

 

"Do you think we'll survive the sale of the other eleven residences?" I look over at Julian. He's on his side in my bed, staring at me.

We'd made love after I called Tom and Irene to tell them the news. They didn't care that it was near midnight. They both cried during the call, and it brought tears to my own eyes.

I was grateful that the deal was done because professionally it's taken me to a new level, but more than that I was thrilled that I could be an integral part of their life journey. I helped them find their forever home, and they'll spend countless holidays there with their children and grandchildren, filling the space with memories for even more generations to come.

"We'll work out a contract for that tomorrow." He slides his hand over his stomach. "Do you know how proud I am of you?"

I crawl on top of him, pressing my bare breasts against his chest. "I know that you are. You gave me an opportunity no one else would have. I can't thank you enough for that."

"One of the things I admire most about you…" His voice trails as he stops to tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear. "I admire your drive to succeed. You don't let anything get in your way. You fight for yourself. You need that to rise to the top in this town."

"One of the things I admire most about you…" I stop to kiss his lips. "You're so supportive. You want to see me shine. I need that in my life. I want to be more like that too."

He pulls me closer for another soft kiss. "You want to see others shine, Maya. I've seen that for myself. You didn’t push the Clarksons to purchase the penthouse for your own selfish reasons."

I cock a brow. "I wanted that sale."

"Yes." He chuckles. "I agree, but you saw something in them that day we danced with them. I saw it in your eyes. You pictured them there. You saw the way the place fit them as much as they fit into the place. I think you knew it was their home before they did."

I move to sit, rubbing my bare pussy over the sheet that covers his groin. "You see the best in me."

His gaze travels over my body. "How can I not when you're sitting naked on top of me?"

I giggle. "You know what I mean, Julian. You see what I don't see."

"I see a beautiful woman who is determined and strong."

I inch my hands up my stomach toward my breasts. "What else do you see?"

"My future.
That stops my hands in place near my heart. "I want to be that."

"You will be." He traces his fingertips over my thighs. "The smartest move I've ever made was falling in love with you."

 

***

 

"You are finally going to let me move in with you?" Tilly almost jumps into my arms. "I have been waiting for this day for years. We can have movie marathons and talk all night. When mom and dad come to visit, we'll let them stay with us, right. I don't want Frannie to. She can stay in a hotel."

I smirk. "What's the deal with you and Frannie?"

"Nothing," she answers too quickly. "I love her. When can I move in?"

I watch as she scans the living room of my apartment. She's already planning on rearranging the furniture to fit her stuff in. I can almost see her plotting it out as we speak.
"You can move in the day I move out."

She tilts her head. "You're joking. You're not moving out."

"I'm moving in with Julian." I start toward the kitchen. "On the stove, the back burner on the left doesn’t work, so don't bother with it. You have to set the dishwasher to a fast cycle or you'll be paying too much for water. The woman who lives next door has a dog. He loves to bark at night, but since you're a vet assistant, I'm thinking that won't bother you one bit."

"Maya, stop." Her hand on my shoulder stops me just as I reach the sink. "You're moving in with him? Is it that serious?"

"I love him," I whisper.

"Scream it then." She hugs me from behind. "Oh my god, Maya. Scream it to the world. You're in love. What could be better than that?"

I pivot to face her. "If you were in love too. That's what would make it better."

Her kind blue eyes glide over my face. "I'll find him one day, or he'll find me. You need to be happy for you. I sure as hell am."

"I am happy," I confess as I hug her back. "He's the one, Tilly. I'm telling you Julian is the one for me."

"I know he is. I can see it in your eyes."