When we get to her room, I explain that Duncan and I have been talking for months. How we met at her wedding and there was a spark. I explain how we’ve met up twice since then. I apologize and explain how I flew in yesterday. I also tell her if she wants, if it makes her uncomfortable, I'll end my relationship with Duncan. But I tell her that I do care for him.
"Oh, no, Maya, no, I'm so happy for you both. Please don't end it. I think he can help you as much as you can help him."
"Thank you, Ana. Tomorrow Duncan is taking me Christmas shopping and to see my solicitor about some property Savta had here in London. Please come with us. We can shop and hang out. Please?"
"Oh, I don't know, Jonathon likes his dinner right at five and I have chores I need to do."
"Please, Ana. I was hoping you'd manage this property for me until I figure out what to do with it. Plus, I need your help finding dresses for the parties coming up."
"Okay, but let me ask Jonathon."
"No, I'll ask him," Duncan says from the doorway.
"What, no privacy?" I ask with a smirk.
"I missed you and I haven't got to hug my sister yet." He walks over and wraps her in his arms. He looks over her head at me, he feels and sees the signs I did too. I nod and sigh.
"Maya, would you have ended us if my sister had a problem?"
"I would. I wouldn't like it, but I'd do it if she wanted." I smile at him. "But she's happy for us and now we don't have to sneak around anymore."
He smiles and walks over to me, where he takes me in his arms. "I wouldn't like it and I'd have to change both of your minds. You're my girl now, Maya." I lean up and kiss his cheek. "Father wanted me to come and get you girls. Someone is here to see you, Maya." I feel the tension in his body and worry.
Before we head downstairs where brunch is being served, I explain about the best man. Ana laughs and agrees he deserved what he got.
We head downstairs and I stop in my tracks as I see who's in the sitting room. I want to drop Duncan's hand but know that would hurt him again. I walk into the room with him beside me and see Greg stand. He looks at me and then to Duncan. His smile dies. Oh crap, here it comes.
"I decided to fly in today, and James invited me to brunch. How are you, sweetheart?" he says as I dislodge my hand from Duncan's and walk into Greg's arms. I felt Duncan stiffen when Greg called me sweetheart.
"Did Derek come with you?" I know the answer to the question.
"No. Will you introduce us?" His smile has still not returned and Duncan is still standing there like a statue. Okay, I can do this. James accepts us, maybe Greg will too.
"Duncan Preston, my boyfriend, this is Greg Williams, a man who's as close to a father as yours is to me." Duncan steps up and wraps me tight in his left arm and shakes Greg’s hand with his right.
"Sir, nice to meet you. Maya has told me very little about you." The dig hurts.
"That's my girl. She keeps her cards close to the vest. Don't worry, she never told me she's seeing someone. I guessed, like your father, but I wasn't sure. It’s nice to finally meet you. I saw you at the Israeli Gala in August. Your father has told me a lot about you, as has Joshua Donovan." At the drop of Joshua's name, I gasp and Duncan looks at him warily.
"How do you know Joshua?"
"He and I have known each other for a while. I believe you helped on a job I sent his way with the diplomat's daughter from France. Sorry to hear things didn't end so well." Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit. What does Greg know? Does he know about New York? Does he know about DC? When he is quiet like this I worry.
I watch him warily as he sizes up Duncan. What is he thinking?
"Brunch is being served," James says, releasing us from the tension.
We're all sitting at the table eating our brunch. Duncan is sitting next to me with his hand brushing my thigh under the table. I look across the table at my family, well, almost. Uncle Marcus still seems like he's upset about something. I hope I can talk to him, but I'm not too concerned. I feel the rift between us getting bigger. Greg is sitting on my other side and is watching me carefully. I know he's interested in my relationship with Duncan.
"So I guess Lawrence has competition," Jonathon states while we're eating.
"Excuse me," I say. "We never dated. It was dinner amongst friends. How'd you know we even had dinner?"
"That's not how he talks about it." He ignores my question. I see him look at Uncle Marcus. What’s that all about? I thought these two just met.
"I'll let him know she's off the market," Duncan states.
"How'd you know about Lawrence anyhow?" I ask again. This is getting to be annoying.
