"I chose business." I lean back on the sofa. "I had a deal hinging on Isadora's involvement. She had to be there to make it happen. What you saw at my office was an agreement to meet to discuss the acquisition of another hotel chain. The owner of that hotel would only agree to move forward with Isadora on board. He was in my office as well."
"Once I spoke to you and gave it a moment of thought, I knew I had to see you tonight," I go on," I called Isadora and the other hotel chain's owner and met them downstairs to finalize the deal."
"I didn't know."
"You were hurt in the past, Maya, but I'm not him." I exhale harshly. "I'm working very hard to get Isadora out of the business, but until that happens, I need to see her from time-to-time and meet with her."
"I hate her," she says with a laugh.
I lean toward her. "There's nothing personal going on between us anymore. Trust me on that and promise me no more games."
"No more games," she says quietly. "I promise."
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Maya
I feel like an idiot.After hearing Julian explain what was happening with Isadora, I wanted to crawl under a rock. I couldn't. I sat down at the dining room table with him and enjoyed a delicious dinner and a bottle of champagne.
By the time the chef and server were leaving, I was tipsy.
Julian took me home in a taxi and walked me to my door before kissing me goodnight. I thought he'd take me home with him, but that didn't happen.
I spent the night alone, wondering why I had allowed myself to get so jealous that I lost sight of what was right in front of me.
"I finally got in touch with that Simon guy," Jen interrupts my thoughts when she walks into my office. "He's interested in a second showing. I set that up for this afternoon. I emailed you a schedule for today."
I'm grateful that she's as aggressive as she is with chasing down leads.
I don't have much time left to sell the Bishop Hotel penthouse. When I first took on the job, I was certain that I'd have it sold in a week, but it's been a challenge.
It's made me realize that I don’t have the same contacts as many of the other brokers at Carvel. Anne has encouraged everyone to work on this deal together, but they all know that if I fail that opens the door for another broker to take over.
It's smart business.
Why should they work their asses off to help me sell a property that they may end up selling on their own? It's no secret that the broker who lists the penthouse and sells it also gets the exclusive to the other eleven properties.
"Has anyone else called with an interest in seeing it?"
It's a useless question. Jen lets me know the instant anyone calls or emails about the penthouse.
"No one." She shrugs her shoulder. "I'm not giving up hope yet, Maya. We still have time and the Clarksons are super interested."
I'm starting to feel like they're my only remaining hope.
"I think it would be wise for us to start pursuing new listings." Jen looks down at her phone. "I've been sending out some queries to my old contacts to see if any of them are thinking about moving. We may be able to snag a listing or two through them."
I'm grateful. Jen knows that if I don't sell the penthouse that I'll have to let her go. Her salary is paid for by me, not Carvel and although I'm fine covering it now, I won't be able to afford it unless I earn that huge commission.
"I'll send out some emails to my contacts too." I pick up my phone. "I think that was all I needed."
"Don't give up, Maya." She steps closer to my desk. "You just sold a multi-million dollar property. That's a hugeaccomplishment. Keep pushing on the penthouse and you'll get that sold too."
My eyes meet hers. "We'll get it sold. I couldn't do this without you."
She beams. "I'll get back to work. I'll send you a text reminder before your showing with Simon this afternoon."
"See how that works?"Julian ushers me into his office with a hand on the center of my lower back. "You tell my assistant you're here and she lets me know immediately."
