I've done it more than once.
"You're as handsome as ever, Julian." I lower my voice. "I'm available to talk whenever you are."
He rounds me, his hand still holding mine. "You're more enchanting than the day we met, Maya. I've followed your career. I have a position I think you'd be interested in."
"What position might that be, Julian?" A woman's voice asks from behind me.
I don't have to turn to know who asked the question. I've heard her speak enough times this past year that I would recognize her throaty tone anywhere.
Isadora Patel, Julian's girlfriend, is not only a highly regarded attorney; she's also an advocate for women's issues in the workplace. She's been the keynote speaker at two conferences I attended. Both of those were focused on women in business.
For someone I want to hate, I admit I have a lot of respect for her.
"We'll discuss it later." Julian's hand drops mine. "I'm about to take the stage, Isadora."
"We're about to take the stage," she corrects him. "Introduce me to your friend."
I know that I shouldn't get in the middle of whatever is happening between them right now, but since I'm physically in the middle, I turn to face her.
She's a stunning woman and that's as true tonight as it's been every time I've seen her. Isadora's taller than me by at least sixinches. Her long blonde hair is pulled back into a high ponytail and her brown eyes are framed by long lashes.
The strapless black dress she's wearing may bear the same designer label as the one I have on, but it's tailored to fit her every curve. It's obvious that she didn't pick it up off the rack.
"I'm Maya Baker." I extend a hand toward her, surprised that I'm not trembling. "I've heard only great things about you, Ms. Patel."
"Maya," she repeats back my name as her gaze volleys from my face to Julian's. "You were at the leadership in business summit two months ago. I remember you."
I hear the instant relief in her tone as she reaches for my hand. She gives it a firm shake before she pulls back. I'm no longer a threat in her eyes. She thinks I'm an admirer.
"Your speech was enlightening." In my experience, genuine compliments are the most effective tension breaker, at least when it comes to other women. "I'm glad I had the chance to hear it."
"It was an important topic." She studies my face. Her eyes trail over my shoulder length black hair, blue eyes, and pale pink lips. "I'm surprised to see you here tonight."
She's surprised that her boyfriend was holding my hand when she approached us. I no longer have to wonder why Julian asked me not to turn around. His plus one was keeping an eye on her man from across the room.
"My date had an invite for two, so I tagged along." If I were going to be completely truthful, I'd confess that the only reason I'm here tonight is so I can talk to Julian.
She smiles at me. "I hope you and your date are both enjoying yourselves."
I can't speak for Charlie, but I was having the time of my life until she showed up. It's time to make myself scarce. "I should get back to him."
Isadora reaches out to stop me with a hand on my forearm. "I'm curious how you know Julian. You two seem like old friends."
Apparently, jealousy isn't in short supply tonight. The green-eyed monster has its claws in Isadora too.
"Maya and I met some time ago at Falon Shaw's studio," Julian answers from behind me.
"Ah." Isadora squeezes my arm. "So you're a photographer too? Julian has been anxious to find someone to shoot the interiors of our new residential suites. If you send a few sample shots to the manager of our marketing department, she'll let you know if we're interested."
My close friend, Falon Shaw, should have that job. She's done work for Bishop Hotels in the past. As much as I'm tempted to point that out, I let it slide. Falon can do her own bidding. She doesn't need me to pitch her name. She's an established photographer whose work speaks volumes.
"Maya?" Charlie moves into view behind Isadora just as I'm about to tell her that I'm in real estate, not photography. "I have another glass of champagne for you."
Since I'm still holding onto an almost full glass of bubbly, I shoot Charlie a look, but he's eyeing Isadora's ass like it's a treasure he's been searching a lifetime for. "I'm good. I was about to come find you, Charlie."
Charlie takes that as his cue. He steps forward, introduces himself to Isadora and launches into a discussion that's peppered with legal terms I don't understand.
I take the opportunity to turn back to Julian.
