Hi, handsome. I have this weekend off of work. How about I fly to Milan to see you?
Me
Wish you could, baby, we're flying to Athens in the morning.
Maya
I could fly to Athens. You name it and I'm there. It's been too long. Plus, I should apologize in person after New York.
Me
Baby, I want to see you too, but that won't work.
Maya
Okay. I've got to go, we're heading into a meeting.
I know she's lying to me. I'm hurting her, but my assignment is being difficult and I don't want to bring Maya into that. Moreover, the threats against my assignment have escalated, and I don't fancy Maya near any danger if I can prevent it. Her job is dangerous enough, but this I can control. I go to sleep worrying I'm screwing up the best relationship I've ever been in. I forgave her for what happened in New York right away. I know I'm wearing her down about telling my family about us.
CHAPTER TWENTY
MAYA
Ilook up from my phone to see two sets of twin eyes watching me carefully. Oh shit, the gig might be up. Lying to either of these two is hard, and I've already been doing it for months.
"What?" I ask sweetly.
"Want to tell me who you're texting? And who upset you?" Derek asks.
"No." I turn to Greg waiting.
"Who is it, Maya? With everything going on, you can understand why we're worried, right? Has the stalker resorted to calls and texts?"
"No. For your information, it's a friend. I'm upset because our schedules never work out so we can see each other." I can't give them too much information.
"Who? You aren't seeing anyone. You've not even picked upany of the guys from the gym since you came back from London months ago." Leave it to Derek to point that out.
"Picking up random guys at the gym, young lady?" Greg asks.
"Now you two listen... First, I'm not going to explain my non-romantic relations with either of you. Second, look who's talking, Mister Slut." I glare at Derek.
"Okay, children. Let's get back to the point. Maya, we won't be able to keep this stalker quiet much longer. If something big happens, the department needs to know." As usual, Greg jumps in and scolds us. I glare at Derek. He’ll get his ass kicked at the gym next time.
"I know, Greg, but I can't let James or anyone else find out."
I head back to my condo after our late dinner and run on the treadmill, wondering if Duncan is cheating on me. I need to take a pill and get some sleep, but I need to get this excessive energy out of my system. I couldn't even spend his birthday with him—work came first for both of us. I still see the hurt in his eyes when I left him in New York.
Every timeI've tried to head to see Duncan, he ends up having a change of plans and heads to another location. I was just thinking it was bad timing, until this morning when I woke up to see his face plastered all over the news with the French diplomat's daughter in his arms. She's no young girl. She’s a grown woman. And I want to rip her arms off. This is why I don't do long-distance relationships, one of us can't take the temptation.
Who am I kidding? I don't do any relationships. Oh well, guess I was right, this wasn't going to work out. I can't believe he couldn't tell me he wanted to be with her. She's gorgeous with her blond hair, curves, and softness. I bet she listens to him and doesn't argue at every chance. It's obvious she doesn't care who knows about them.
He and I have talked or texted almost every day, maybe we're just friends. That's it. We’re better friends who have had a couple of fantastic weekends. I know so much about him. How he feels about the loss of his mother and fellow soldiers. How he and Joshua met. How he and James talk weekly. What I mostly know is he's honest, so it really hurts that he couldn't tell me about whatever her name is. I'm bustling around my condominium when Derek walks out of the guest room.
"Why the hell are you slamming cupboards, sexy? And jeez, the music is loud enough to wake the dead."
"Nothing, I'm heading to the gym for a workout. Want to come?"
"Nah. The last time we went to the gym when you were in a mood you handed me my ass. Thanks for letting me stay here last night. My roommates like to party a lot, and you know I don't."
