As I head out the office door, I make a note in my phone's calendar to stop by the Bishop corporate offices the day after tomorrow if my calls still aren't returned. A little initiative is never a bad thing in this industry. Besides, I'll take any chance I can get to see Julian in person.
"I happento think Charlie is a catch." My younger sister, Matilda, pours a splash of cream into her coffee cup before she snaps the plastic lid back on. "He's cute, he's got a great job, and he treats you right. What more could you ask for, Maya?"
Sparks? A pounding heartbeat when I look at him? Wet panties when he looks at me?
"He's a nice guy, Tilly," I acquiesce as I take a sip of the herbal tea I ordered. I reached my self-imposed limit of three cups of coffee before noon today. If I hope to get any sleep tonight, I have to stick to non-caffeinated beverages for the rest of the evening. "He's just not my type."
Her blue eyes widen as she smiles. "You say that every time a guy is interested in you. There are only so many types of menwalking the face of this earth. Sooner or later, you'll have to decide which type is right for you."
"So maybe I don't have a type." I wrinkle my nose. "I want a man who is different than anyone I've ever met before."
"You and me both." She taps her cup to mine. "I have another blind date tomorrow night."
This is the third one this month. I give Tilly credit for actively chasing after the happily-ever-after she wants. As adventurous as she is when it comes to dating, she's just as cautious.
"I can't be your bodyguard tomorrow night." I look over my shoulder at the entrance to the café. I'm meeting a client here in ten minutes to present an offer on her apartment. It may be seven p.m. but my day isn't over yet.
"The meeting the parents thing with Charlie is tomorrow?" Her dark brows lift. I can tell she's surprised. The first words out of her mouth when I met her here was a question about how my date with Charlie had gone. Since she helped me get ready for the Bishop Hotel party, she deserved to know every boring detail. I didn't stop there. I also clued her in about Charlie's invitation to have dinner with his folks. "Promise me you'll at least keep an open mind. Third dates are almost always better than first and second dates. You know what they say about the third time being a charm."
I'm not about to tell her that the man I'm most excited to see tomorrow night isn't the one picking me up. It's his father. Tilly is a veterinary assistant. She's devoted her life to caring for animals and managing the feelings of the people who own them. She doesn't understand how ruthless a person has to be in real estate.
"I agreed to have dinner with him, didn't I?" I smile. "You'll be alright on your date, won't you? I'm sorry I can't be there spying on you while I drink a martini and you sit a few feet away pretending you don't know me."
She laughs. "You know how much I appreciate you watching over me when I meet strange men. Knowing you're close makes me feel safe."
"Where are you meeting this mystery man?"
She looks around the crowded café. "I think I'll ask him to meet me here. I doubt like hell he'd try anything while I'm holding a hot cup of coffee."
"Good plan." I look back when I hear the door open. I wave to my client as soon as she makes eye contact with me. "It's time for me to work. Text me after your date tomorrow, or don't if you decide to take him home with you."
She pushes her long brown hair back over her shoulder. "I'll text you when I'm home. Good luck with Charlie. Remember what I said about third dates, Maya. Your life might change tomorrow night."
I'm counting on it. If all goes well, by this time next week, I'll be selling an apartment on Central Park West.
CHAPTER SIX
Julian
As I walkinto the restaurant, I take one look around and feel a surge of satisfaction at the full dining room.
I don't manage this aspect of the business. I have a team for that. We were approached early on by a restaurateur named Hunter Reynolds who wanted to establish a Tribeca location of his popular eatery. That's how Axel Tribeca was conceived. It launched when the attached hotel opened early last year. Both have surpassed my expectations.
I benefit from the steady stream of diners in the form of a percentage of the restaurant's profits. Hunter benefits in the same respect along with the glowing reviews. It's been a win-win for us both, and we've already discussed the possibility of teaming up for our new location in Philadelphia that will launch two years from now.
"Mr. Bishop?" A young blond woman wearing the required attire of a simple black dress approaches me. "Ms. Newell said I should be expecting you. She's waiting at the table you requested."
When you're faced with the prospect of going to battle against the best attorney you know, you hire the second best to represent you. That's the reason why I'm meeting Chloe Newell, an expert in employment law for dinner.
I stop a server as he passes by me. "I'd like a scotch neat brought to my table immediately."
He doesn't hesitate as he heads toward the bar to my left.
"Is Hunter here tonight?" I turn back to the hostess.
Her eyes dart to my face. "He was in earlier but left. I can call him back if you'd like."
The man has two children and a wife who spends too much time at the hospital where she works as a doctor. If he's left this to go to them, I'm not about to interrupt. "No, that's fine."
