“Sorry.”I keep apologizing, just like I did to Carmen before she left.My father will never apologize, and I know that no amount of apologies will ever make up for what Maya and her mom endured.
But I’m trying.Maya snuggles against me, arms around one another, and we stay like that, immobile and content.Life is good.Things are getting better at Stella.Sales are up enough to prove that the changes I pushed through and implemented weren’t wrong.With the board’s approval, we’re going to shift things around.
She suddenly pulls apart.“What did you and Cecil talk about last night?”
“Oh.”I heave out a heavy sigh.“He’s going to hand in his resignation soon.Not a word to anyone.”
She zips her lips shut and nods.
“He said fashion was never his world, and I agreed—”
“Tell me you didn’t say that to him?”
“I didn’t.But it’s true.You know it’s true.”
She shrugs.“It’s true.He’s too nice to work in fashion.”
I drop a kiss on top of her hair.“He’s taking a role at a nonprofit community arts foundation.It’s the right fit for him.”
“That makes sense.”
“Katherine’s not going anywhere,” I add.“But with Cecil gone, I’d like her to oversee brand partnerships and internal strategy.She’s sharp and she deserves to be seen.”
Maya’s mouth curves up into a smile.“She’ll like that.”
“She will, but she doesn’t know yet.I’ll have a meeting with her at the end of next week when I’ve thought things through.I didn’t expect Cecil to hit me with news of his resignation.I thought it was going to be just dinner, but it didn’t surprise me.Still, it changes things around.”I lift her chin up, wondering whether to kiss her now or after I tell her.“That means changes for you, too.”
Her eyes flutter wide open.“What sort of changes?”
My heart starts to beat faster.I can’t contain my grin, or the excitement bubbling inside me at the news I’m about to give her.“New title.New salary.Your own office.”
She stills.“My own—?”
“You’re not going anywhere,” I say gently.“Unless you want to.”
She exhales, something easing in her shoulders.“I don’t want to.I’m happy exactly where I am.”
But something in her expression signals hesitation.“Did you …” She shrugs, tries again, because I can see it’s needling her.“I want the truth, Zach.Are you doing this because we’re together?”
I tighten my arms firmly around her waist.I knew this was coming.Maya hates any hint of obligation.She’s proud, and doesn’t want to be seen taking anything she hasn’t earned.
“Cecil spoke to me about it a few weeks ago, actually.He and Katherine both did.We acknowledged that the structure at Stella needed overhauling.Katherine was insistent that it was about time we gave you the promotion you deserved months ago.”
Her face lights up.Katherine has been an awful boss, but lately she’s changed and she and Maya have found an easy truce and a mutual respect.
“You’re telling me the truth?”Maya asks.
I nod.“Do you trust me?”
“I always have.”
We kiss again, and she mewls against my mouth, her fingers curling around my neck.Just having her in my arms makes my blood drain south.
“You make me happy, Zee.”
“You always made me happy.I love you, and I don’t want to lose you again.”
She shakes her head like that’s never going to happen.
