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.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Maya
"Doyou 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.
