He turns to face me. "I have a meeting, Maya. It can't wait. We'll need to discuss this later."
"I need you to trust me to sell this place." I stop him when I grab his forearm as he brushes past me.
He looks down at my hand before he places his over it. "I trust you. This has nothing to do with that."
"I'm just having trouble understanding why you suddenly made an appearance."
"I saw Trey walk into the lobby with Charlie." He squeezes my hand. "I'm a baseball fan. I wanted to meet the man who won the series for New York."
I can't tell if he's being genuine or not. "You like baseball?"
"I have season tickets." He traces his fingertip in a lazy circle over the top of my hand. "I am curious about something though. Why didn't Charlie step in when Trey was hitting on you?"
"Charlie knows I can take care of myself."
"I'm sure he does." He sighs deeply. "Let me rephrase my question. Explain to me why neither of you pointed out to Trey that you're dating."
"We're not." I tug my hand free of his. "Charlie met someone else."
"So it's over between you two?" He smiles widely. "That's good to know."
"It doesn't change my rules, Julian." I rub the back of my neck. "I still won't go on a date with you."
"I know, Maya." He leans down until his lips are almost touching mine. "I won't push you to break your rules. I'll only remind you that I'm available if you ever feel the urge to break them."
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Maya
The numberone rule in real estate isalways keep your client happy, and since the clock is ticking away at a fast pace on my thirty days, I do the only thing I can. I call Julian Bishop.
I haven't seen the man in two days. The last time was when he walked out of this penthouse after the showing I had with Trey Hale. That amounted to a phone call from his financial advisor telling me that Trey's budget for an apartment is only a fraction of the price of the penthouse. I told him I'd be in touch as soon as the other residences in the hotel hit the market. He was overjoyed to hear that.
A potential future sale is always good.
Julian answers on the second ring. "Maya. To what do I owe this pleasure?"
I've imagined phone sex with him and now that I hear the rough timbre of his voice over the phone, I know it would be better than some actual sex I've had in my life.
"I have a question," I say softly. "It's more a favor, I suppose."
"Tell me what it is."
I hesitate only briefly. I wouldn't make this call unless I felt forced to do it, especially after the fact that I essentially told him less than forty-eight hours ago that I didn't want him showing up during my listing appointments.
"I'm showing the penthouse and there's a couple here who would like to meet you." I glance over at Tom and Irene Clarkson, the retired couple who contacted me earlier today after seeing the brochure in their hotel room detailing the penthouse residence. They were eager to see the space, so I arranged to meet them here ten minutes ago. Now, they're insisting on a face-to-face with Julian. "I'm sorry to bother you with this. I know how busy you are."
"I'll be right there." With those words, the call ends and my heartbeat steps up to a thrumming beat inside my chest.
"Doyou think there's enough space for a dance party?" Irene twirls in place in the center of the open concept living and dining room area. "Tom and I love to dance."
"There's more than enough room, dear." Tom moves to stand next to his wife. "Let's give it a try, shall we?"
I love this. Seeing two people this much in love always warms my heart. They've held hands through most of the tour I just gave them of the penthouse. They spoke lovingly about their three children and four grandchildren when they viewed the bedrooms.
Purchasing a property in New York is something they've long considered, and now that their oldest son is living here with his family, they feel the time is right to make the move.
"I can turn on some music," I offer. I've tried to keep them occupied with small talk about the hotel amenities while we wait for Julian to arrive.
