by Emma Vikes
“So…” I started to say, my fingers tracing the pattern of the sofa. “It’s a nice day today, isn’t it?”
Alice looked at me with narrowed eyes. “Is there something you want, Ansel?”
“You don’t just randomly come in here wanting to talk about how nice the day is. You never talked weather with us,” Doug chimed in, looking at me with suspicion clear in his eyes.
I pursed my lips and sighed a little. “I like Maia.”
“I think that’s already been very clear to us when she handed us the resignation letter and it’s also clear that she doesn’t reciprocate what you feel,” Alice said, shaking her head a little. “If you keep on wanting to pursue her, let me tell you, I don’t want to lose a remarkable sous chef, Ansel.”
When she complimented Maia, I couldn’t help but smile. I looked down on my feet for a moment, taking in a deep breath. “She’s my ex-girlfriend.”
I received the expected reactions from them.
Alice stared at me with wide eyes.
Doug was staring at me in amusement. “You used to always ask me about all the chefs I know and the ones I would randomly meet. Was it because of Maia?”
Nodding my head, I flashed him a sheepish grin. “It’s been eight years since we broke up and I’ll come clean right off that I was the one who messed it up.”
“Of course, it was you. There’s no way someone as sweet and gentle as Maia could ruin a relationship.”
I rolled my eyes at Alice’s comment. “And I’ve been regretting it for eight long years. Now that I found her again, I really want to make things right with her.”
“So why are you here?” Doug asked.
I told them about Joey’s suggestion.
They weren’t thrilled that I was basically asking them to deceive Maia.
Alice didn’t seem like she was gonna agree. Removing her eyeglasses, she looked me straight in the eye. Her expression seemed serious and she had never regarded me with such a look.
She’d always been as warm as my grandmother and had always welcomed me with open arms. But something about the way she looked at me at the moment sort of scared me.
“You broke her heart eight years ago, Ansel. Now, I know your track record when it comes to women and Maia’s been through so much already. She’s recently divorced and she’s raising her daughter on her own. What assurance do I have that you won’t break her heart again?”
I loved the fact that she cared about Maia even when it meant she was questioning my intentions. “You don’t.”
Alice’s brows rose. “Then why do you want us to help you when you’re not even certain that you won’t break her heart again?”
“Because I think I’m capable of loving her the way she always deserved to be loved and if for some reason, I break her heart again. I think it will break mine even more if I do.”
12
Maia
“Are you a hundred percent sure that you’re fine with taking care of Sage overnight?” This must’ve been the tenth time that I asked Giselle the question.
Judging from the annoyed glint in her eyes, she had enough of me asking the same thing over the past hour. “Maia, I’m a grown adult woman who had lived on her own for nearly a decade. I think I’m very much capable of babysitting a seven-year-old overnight.”
It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Giselle…okay, maybe it was sort of like that. Between Giselle and Joanne, the latter was the reliable one. Giselle was the friend you would call when you wanted to drink until dawn. She was the fun one and yet, she would also be willing to listen to your problems with a bottle of whiskey on the side.
It was why I wasn’t entirely comfortable with the idea of leaving Sage with her for the night but Joanne was unavailable and the two of them were the only ones I could trust with her. I wasn’t close enough with my colleagues in the restaurant to ask them to look after Sage. They adored my daughter but I felt like I would be crossing the line if I asked.
“I know that you’ve lived on your own. I’m just making sure that you’re fine with not having a glass of alcohol for one night because Sage’s here.” It also wasn’t like Giselle was an alcoholic. I was just aware of how much she liked drinking a glass of wine before she went to bed. That and Sage was curious as she was persuasive.
I’d witnessed my daughter’s dynamic with my friend. As much as Sage loved and adored Joanne, she liked hanging out with Giselle because she was fun. It was that idea alone that frightened me of how much fun they could possibly have tonight.
Giselle gave me a pointed look. “I used to babysit kids as a side job when I was in high school. It’s been years but I think I can manage one night. And besides, Sage is an absolute angel. We will probably end up creating desserts for the whole night.”
“Please don’t give her too many sweets, Giselle.”
“I promise,” she assured me with a roll of her eyes. Then, she placed her hands on my shoulders and pushed me away a little to have a good look at me. “God, you look absolutely gorgeous. It’s been ages since you’ve actually dressed up and I can’t believe JC ever signed those divorce papers. He literally lost a jackpot.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at her statement but I accepted the compliment. The gold dress hugged my curves and it was absolutely simple but breath-taking. It was supposed to be the dress I’d wear for the wedding of JC’s sister but he filed the divorce. Even when I was still invited, it just felt weird to be in the same space as people I used to regard as family. You don’t think it’s too much? I honestly don’t know how formal the event I’ve been invited to will be but Alice told me to dress nicely. This is the only dress I had in my closet that could pass as formal and yet, not really.”
Giselle laughed at me. “Maia, even if you wore a sack, you’d still be gorgeous. You just look extra pretty in that dress and I swear any guy would fall love with you at first sight.”
Scoffing, I replied, “Let them fall for me all they want. It’s not like I’ll be dating anyone soon. We’ve already talked about this, Gi. After JC, I don’t think I’ll start dating again. I’d rather focus on Sage and make sure that she lives the comfortable life she deserves.”
Giselle’s eyes softened as she slowly nodded. She patted me lightly on the cheek. “You’re making me want to open a glass of champagne, so go to that party of yours before I actually open one.”
I pushed past her and then called Sage who was focused on watching a movie on Giselle’s smart TV. I kissed her on the head and hugged her tight, telling her to be good to Giselle. I called an Uber before heading out of Giselle’s house. When the Uber arrived, I sent Alice a text that I was on my way and she told me to wait for them at the entrance.
I honestly wouldn’t have gone to this event, if Alice and Doug weren’t going. It wasn’t that I was shy and all but because I didn’t want to bump into my ex-colleagues. Given how I was fired from my last job because of petty reasons, I didn’t want to ruin my night by having to pretend everything’s okay.
When I arrived at the venue, I sent Alice a text that I was there. I waited outside for a while, noting the guests that arrived in luxurious cars. They were all dressed impeccably too and for a moment, I felt underdressed in the gold dress I wore. I repeatedly texted Alice, asking her where she was because I could no longer handle standing there on my own.
“I wanted to send a dress for you to wear but was afraid that you might figure out what was going on.” A voice behind me said his tone sounding deep and baritone.
I caught a whiff of the family musky masculine scent.
“But my god, you look absolutely ravishing in that dress. Now I’m scared that men will flock all over you.”
I turned around and met Ansel’s honey eyes. He had the warmest smile on his face and he was dressed in this sharp navy suit that made him look so dreamy. His blond hair was carefully styled and the shade of his suit and his hairstyle made his honey eyes pop. For a moment, I felt like I was swimming in a pot filled with honey.
>
For a minute. Only for a minute.
Right after that, I realized this event was no place for someone like Ansel. Sure, he had his connections but this event was something held in my industry. There was no way he’d been invited to this event when he wasn’t even a chef. But then again, he did technically own a restaurant since he was the owner of the hotel. “What are you doing here?”
“I was invited.”
My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “This is an event meant for chefs. I get that you technically own a restaurant but I don’t think you’re meant to be here.”
Ansel scratched the back of his head when someone suddenly approached him.
The man wore a black suit with a matching black bowtie. I didn’t know him but judging by how he carried himself, he seemed to be in the business industry and because he knew Ansel. “Ansel Moore! I didn’t think you’d make it. Savannah would’ve been upset if you didn’t.”
Ansel seemed uncomfortable with the comment.
Then the man suddenly noticed my presence. He glanced at me and then at Ansel and shook his head. “Ah, I think she would rather you not arrive with a date. Especially one as gorgeous as this one. Hello, I’m Ian Monroe of MTech. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Eyebrows raising in confusion as he waited for me to offer him a hand to shake, I stared at Ansel who was uncomfortably shifting from one foot to another. “MTech? That doesn’t sound like a restaurant at all…”
“They must be looking for you inside already, Ian!” Ansel interjected, placing an arm over his friend’s shoulder. “You go ahead and we’ll be right there behind you.”
Ian didn’t seem like he wanted to go but Ansel insisted so he left us alone.
I stared at Ansel with narrowed eyes. “What’s going on? Where are Alice and Doug?”
“For the record, I told Joey that this wasn’t a good idea but he insisted, hence why you’re here and I’m really sorry for deceiving you…”
Deceiving you…
Oh, hell no.
I had to resist the urge to slap him right then and there because we were in public and there could be media lurking around. “I’ll play nice and give you three minutes to explain.”
“Three minutes? Maia, that’s not enough…” His voice trailed off when I gave him a hard look and Ansel pursed his lips, wiping imaginary sweat from his hands on his pants. “I had absolutely no intention of attending this party because I knew the host would be all over me. I no longer have the time for other women because I want to spend all my time with you.”
The cheesy line made me cringe and I could only shake my head at him. “I don’t know what you’re playing at, Ansel, but I’ve told you so many times already. I’m not interested anymore. I don’t care if you want me. It’s been a long time and we’ve been over for that. We had a good run but that’s the only run we’re ever gonna have.”
Turning around, I fished my phone from my purse to call an Uber. I was annoyed that I actually bothered to dress fancy, put on a decent amount of makeup and style my hair. I did all of that for nothing. I did all of it because Ansel Moore thought he could do whatever he wanted because of who he was.
Then I felt a hand wrap around my wrist, forcing me to turn around again. My eyes met his and I could see the quiet desperation in them.
“I’m sorry for having to make you believe this event is something else entirely. But all I wanted was to spend time with you, Maia, without you pushing me away.”
“Ansel, we had dinner last time!” As much as I hated to admit it, I actually enjoyed the time we spent together. I had my guard up at that time but I loved seeing how he was with Sage. Even when the alarms went off in my head, seeing them get along warmed my heart.
“But Sage was with us. I like your daughter, Maia, but I would also really like to spend some time alone with you too.”
“I made it very clear to you that the only relationship I want with you will only be a professional one.”
“And over and over, I keep telling you that I want you back in my life, Maia. Just this one night, give me this one night to prove to you that I do deserve another shot with you. That we deserve another shot, Maia.”
“Give me one good reason why I should agree to this.”
“Because there’s a part of you that secretly wants to agree to it too. No matter how many times you deny it, I can still see a hint of sparkle in your eyes when our eyes meet. No matter how small that sparkle is, I cling to it. Maybe, just maybe, that small spark means that you want to be with me too, even when you constantly say no.”
Okay, maybe I secretly missed the butterflies swirling in my stomach because of him. Maybe it was because of how much his relationship with Sage warmed my heart. And maybe Ansel was right. I secretly did want to be with him. Even when I told Giselle I didn’t want to be with anyone. Even when I told him he’d ruined his chance with me eight years ago. Even when he had hurt me and love had hurt me recently. Despite all of that, a part of me kept whispering for me to take the plunge.
Maybe this could be worth it this time.
“But when I tell you that we leave, you’re not allowed to make excuses to make us stay. When I say we leave, we leave. Understand?”
The smile spreading over Ansel’s face was enough to awaken the butterflies in my stomach, again.
He gave me a mock salute. “Whatever you say, commander!”
13
Ansel
For some reason, I felt like a giddy schoolboy that finally caught his crush’s attention.
Maia clung to my arm as we weaved through the guests of Savannah’s party. We hadn’t bumped into the host yet but I didn’t care. All I cared about was the woman clinging to me. Despite the fact I wasn’t as rich as some of the guests here, I felt like I was richer than any of them.
After all, I was with the only woman in the world I wanted to be with. There wasn’t anything on earth I wanted more than being in Maia’s presence without her pushing me away.
“Everyone looks like a million bucks, Ansel.”
I could hear the nervousness in her tone as well as the awe. “You used to work in an expensive restaurant. Why are you anxious in their presence still?” We stopped at a small round table and I got both of us a glass of champagne. I handed one to her.
She gladly accepted and sipped on it. “It wasn’t as if it was a five-star restaurant. It didn’t even have a Michelin star either. It was expensive and classy but the ones that these kinds of people dine in was the restaurant my ex-husband worked in.”
This was probably the first time had Maia mentioned her ex-husband casually to me. It was a topic I’d never asked her about but then again, it wasn’t as if I’d ever had the chance. I had told her I hated the idea of her getting a divorce, knowing how much she hated it when her parents did. But we’d never discussed anything about her previous marriage or her ex-husband. “Was your husband a star chef or something?”
Maia wore a wry smile on her face. “Aside from being an excellent cook, JC’s charm could actually rival yours. He’s good at making connections and being friends with the right people. The two of you are up to par in that area, to be honest.”
I wasn’t entirely sure if I should take that as a compliment or if it should annoy me. I didn’t like the fact that she was basically comparing me to her ex-husband. I’ve already concluded the guy was good for nothing since he left Sage at such a young age. “I don’t think I like the fact that you’re comparing me with your ex-husband.”
Maia raised an eyebrow. “You two have the same public relations skill and you both broke my heart. You’re both pretty similar to me.”
Narrowing my eyes, I took a step closer towards her.
Maia automatically took in a sharp inhale at the sudden shortened distance between us. I cocked my head to the side as I stared into her dark eyes. Her eyes were so enticing I felt like they lured me into this never-ending abyss and I honestly didn’t care whether I resurfaced or not.
Maia tri
ed to back away but I looped my arm around her waist and pulled her close to me. “I may have broken your heart once but I swear to you with all that I have, that I won’t do that ever again. If for some reason, I fall short on that promise, just know that my heart will be broken more than yours.”
She stared back at me with wonder in her eyes as I held her gaze.
A small voice in my head basically begged me to lean in and kiss her, capture her lips with mine. I wanted to taste her again and wondered if she still tasted the way I remembered. Like sunshine in spring would taste like. I wanted her arms wrapped around me again and fill myself with her warmth that rivaled sunlight.
Then Maia turned away and the moment was broken.
At that moment, an annoyingly familiar voice called my name, “Oh my, my Ansel Moore! You look as dashing as ever! For a moment, I feared that you’d turned down my offer.”
I plastered a sickeningly sweet smile that would match hers when I faced her.
Savannah Benson looked at me expectantly, as if waiting for me to give her a kiss.
I didn’t. Instead, I raised my glass to acknowledge her invitation. “Lovely party. Congratulations on being in this business for five years. God knows that I can only aspire to reach this milestone too.”
Savannah winked at this statement. “And you and God both know just the right move to do so.”
I narrowed my eyes a little, aware of what she meant. Savannah had been all over me since the first time we met four years ago. From the cozy bed and breakfast that I first built, I’d only managed to turn it into a small inn at that time. But Savannah had somehow stumbled upon that inn because it was the only decent place she could find to hide.
She was caught smack dab in a scandal at that time. Accused of being the mistress of a senator and her father had basically exiled her until he sorted everything out. To make sure she wasn’t caught by the media, she needed to hide in a place that wouldn’t be suspicious. One of her bodyguards found my inn. It may have been humble but it had the accommodations she needed.