That was a sacrifice I was never willing to make, so I kept things between us as is but now, the price is minuscule compared to the scent of freedom in the air.
"I don't love you." I look directly into her eyes as I say the words so there's no misinterpretation.
A pained sound escapes from between her lips. Her eyes search mine for something more; a hint that I'm hiding my true feelings even though I just spoke them, loudly and clearly. All she sees is my resolution to finally end our relationship.
She glances back at her desk and the thick stack of papers I dropped there. "I'll have the contract back to you by mid-afternoon. I'll send someone by your apartment to pick up my things before the end of the week."
I make my way out of her office and down the hall to my own without another word. The relief I feel almost brings me to my knees. I'm no longer drowning in a pool of infinite need. It's over. It was time. Isadora knows it in her heart. Now she needs to let go of what could have been so she can face the reality of what is. I just hope to hell my company can survive.
CHAPTER THREE
Maya
"I heardyou made it to the Bishop event last night." Anne, the owner of the real estate brokerage firm I work for, nudges my elbow. "Your balls are bigger than most of the men who work here."
I take it as a compliment. I've hauled ass since day one. Anne was the one who hired me on as a rental agent a few years ago. She took me under her wing. The woman has gone to bat for me more than once. The least I can do is finagle my way into a party to try and get a shot at the contract for the residential suites inside the newest Bishop property.
"Charlie needed a plus one." I flash a smile as I fill my coffee mug. "He had an invite."
"Charlie in legal?" She glances at the long corridor to our left. "I didn't realize you two knew each other."
We didn't until the day I stopped by his desk to ask to borrow his stapler. When he asked me out on the spot, I said yes because he was cute. We went to dinner, then a movie and after theending credits rolled, we said goodnight in front of the theatre when he gave me a chaste kiss on my cheek.
Two days later when I was waiting for a new client in the reception area, a courier dropped off a pristine white envelope with Charlie's name written across it in raised lettering. The receptionist called Charlie to tell him that there was a delivery from Bishop Hotels at the front desk.
I knew immediately what was in the envelope. Every person in real estate in the five boroughs wanted an invite to the Bishop party. I held out hope that I'd make it onto the guest list, but I didn't. For some reason, that I still don't understand, Charlie did.
I struck up a conversation about the movie we'd seen as he opened the envelope and when he read the invitation and then looked at me with a question in his eyes, I answered. I told him I'd love to go with him. He broke out a huge grin and the receptionist waited for us to kiss.
That didn't happen.
"We're acquaintances," I qualify. "We went to the party, and then he dropped me off at home. That's where the office gossip ends."
She laughs even though she's notorious for spreading rumors. There's never any ill intent behind it. Anne craves drama. Everyone who works at Carvel Properties International knows to be on high alert if they see Anne near the coffee machine whispering in someone's ear.
So far, I haven't gotten caught up in any of the office scandals.
"What did you find out about the residential suites in their newest hotel?" She leans closer and drops her tone to a hushed whisper. "Have they picked a listing agent yet?"
I shake my head. I used the age-old tactic of standing near the entrance to the corridor that leads to the washrooms beforeCharlie and I left. I know, from experience, that many high powered conversations begin in those awkward spaces and that's exactly what happened last night.
Two of the male Bishop board members came out of the washroom at the same time. As they breezed past where I was standing on their way back to the party, I overheard them talking about the fact that Julian hadn't chosen a broker for the project yet.
"We still have a chance?" Anne grabs my shoulder and gives me a good shake. "Do you know what this means?"
I look at where her hand is pressed against the navy blue fabric of my dress. I know exactly what it means, but I know that whenever the firm takes on a large project, Anne assigns one of the senior sales agents or associate brokers to take the reins.
"I'm going to send Dax over to Julian Bishop's office after lunch." She claps her hands together. "If anyone from Carvel can land that account, it'll be him."
It won't be him. It'll be me. "Last night Julian mentioned that he planned on calling me."
"For what reason?" She eyes the donuts on the table next to us but doesn't move to pick one up.
"I'm hoping he'll call to offer me the listing," I answer.
Anne glances at me. "Your biggest sale was your best friend's apartment, Maya."
I know that. When Falon and her husband decided to move, they hired me to sell their place. I did a stellar job, and the commission check was the largest I've ever received.
