"I can handle it." I give her another hug. "I've got everything under control."
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Julian
I've been expectingthis call all day, and frankly, I was growing concerned when Maya didn't reach out by mid-afternoon. I held my breath and checked my phone repeatedly waiting for her to get in touch. She has only a few hours left before the contract she signed expires and I go in search of another broker.
I checked in with Anne Carvel earlier in the day. She was the one who informed me that an offer had been made. I was tempted to text Maya to ask if there had been any activity, but this is her deal, and how she approaches it is entirely up to her.
"Maya," I answer on the second ring. "How are you?"
"Happy," she responds quickly. "First things first, you're an incredible lover."
I chuckle as I glance out at my deserted office. It's been hours since my assistant left. Some of the other executives hung back until the early evening, but they've all since gone home.
"You know how I feel about your lovemaking skills, Maya. I'm blown away."
That brings a bubble of laughter over the line. "If our meeting goes well, a blowjob may be in your very near future."
Blurring the line between business and pleasure has never bothered me. It does now. I want this deal to happen because it would be beneficial to us both. If anything goes wrong, it could impact us in a very personal way.
"Do we have a meeting scheduled?"
"I called your assistant but she'd left for the day so I penciled myself in for ten p.m."
I glance down at the clock on my desk. I rub my forehead trying to ease the stress. "I should expect you within the next ten minutes?"
"You should expect me now, handsome. I'm early. Look up."
I do. I see my beautiful Maya, with a leather briefcase in her hand and every expectation in the world in her eyes.
"Why arewe in the conference room?" She surveys the long wooden table with the dozen chairs surrounding it. "Is someone else joining us?"
I place my hand on her lower back to guide her to the chair next to the head of the table where I'll be seated. "I wanted us to be more comfortable. My desk is a mess and this room affords us more space."
She doesn’t respond but waits patiently as I pull out the chair before she sits.
I take the seat next to her and clear my throat. "What are we meeting about? Do you have an offer?"
"I do." She reaches down to grab her briefcase, clicking the cover open with her thumb. "It's lower than what you were looking for, but I feel it's a solid offer."
She pulls an offer form from the case and slides it across the table to me. I skim it, taking note of the buyer which is a company, the offer, and the terms.
"You can see that it's a solid offer. It's a million less than ask and I know that you were set on the price, but you have to consider what comparable properties in the city are selling for," she pauses. "I understand that those don't come with the same amenities as the penthouse but you're getting one of the highest cost per square foot that Chelsea has ever seen."
I want to tell her to stop. I look down at the paper, scanning the details although none of them are sinking in.
"Maya." I slide the paper forward on the desk. "It's a good offer."
"You think it's a good offer?" Her eyes brighten.
I stumble with what to say next. I've been anticipating this for some time. I've worked hard behind the scenes to secure this deal. I feel like shit right now that I'm not confessing that to her but I want her to have this sale so she can shine with the additional eleven units all on her own.
I finger the edge of the document as I look around the room.
"I need a moment, Maya." I start to push back from the table, unease settling over me. "I have to clear my head."
Her hand on my forearm stops me. "Don't go. I have something else to show you."
