“Why are you giving me a copy?”
He pulled her into an embrace and kissed her forehead. “Why does a man ever give a woman a key to his place?”
“Because they’re ready to move the relationship to the next level.”
“You just answered your own question.” It irked her he never gave direct answers to a question. “I have to go. I’ll call you later with the details for tonight.” He kissed her goodbye and drove off. When she re-entered the house, her mother was in the kitchen scrambling an egg.
“What do you think about Justin?” asked Ava.
“He seems nice enough, but the jury is still out. Do you know anything else about him?”
“Like what?”
Evelyn turned and eyed her like she lacked basic common sense. “What do you know about his family? When he flies across the country is he leaving to see another woman?”
Ava rolled her eyes and sat at that kitchen table. “Mom, Justin is not involved with anyone else.”
Evelyn scrapped the eggs from the pan onto a plate and turned towards Ava with one hand on her hip. “You are mesmerized by his good looks and charm that you haven’t asked him the important questions.”
“I know all I need to.”
“I don’t want you to settle into a situation because you’re afraid.”
“I’m not settling into anything. Justin has extended his stay, so he isn’t leaving in four months.”
“That changes nothing but delay the inevitable.”
She expelled a heavy sigh. “Just go easy on him tonight.”
“My job is to protect you from getting hurt. I’m a woman who knows what to expect from a man. That’s why I’ll ask the questions you’re too afraid to ask yourself.”
∞∞∞
That evening Ava and her mother arrived at The Grille Steakhouse an expensive, reservation-only restaurant. Justin looked handsome in a black suit, with a silver-gray shirt underneath. When she hugged him, she inhaled the intoxicating spicy citrus scent of his cologne. He stood and held out the chair for her mother to sit across from him, with Ava seated between them at the square-shaped table. “Ladies, you both look stunning tonight.”
“Thank you,” said Evelyn. “This is a nice place.” She glanced about with a sparkle in her eye.
“It was the most recommended on social media. So, we’ll find out together if it lives up to the hype,” he said.
The waitress arrived to take their drink order and minutes later she returned with Chardonnay for Evelyn, and for Justin and herself a cocktail. The waitress then took their food order. Ava downed two swallows of her beverage hoping the alcohol would kick in sooner rather than later. She had asked her mother to be on her best behavior, but she knew
Evelyn had no filter.
“So, Justin, my daughter said you own several boutique hotels. That’s impressive for someone of the tender age of thirty-five. Is this a family business you inherited or are you self-made?”
Justin chuckled before answering. “It’s no secret I grew up with certain advantages. But to answer your question I did not inherit my business.”
Ava listened as he explained how he received an investment loan from his father for his first endeavor.
“Did you grow up here?” The interrogation continued.
“Mom, Justin is in Atlanta on business. He lives in San Diego.”
“Really? I vacationed there once. Beautiful city.”
Ava darted her eyes between her mother and Justin waiting for the next question to drop. Instead, Justin filled in the silence with a discussion about how he chose where to build his hotels and the development stages. He shared that sometimes he built from the ground up and other times he’ll rehab an existing property. He then showed them before and after pictures of some of his properties. By the time they reached the last image, their food had arrived.
“You have done very well for yourself,” said Evelyn. “You appear to have a lucrative career you love that allows you to travel all over. Ava mentioned your time here should have been a few weeks but you’re staying longer. Is it because you plan to settle down with my daughter, or will she be another woman you’ll cast away when you return to San Diego?”
Ava’s eyes widened as her steak knife clanked against her plate. “You don’t have to answer that!” she said to Justin. She turned her attention to her mother. “What’s wrong with you? How dare you ask him that?”
“You need to know how you fit into his life.”
She tightened her lips and glared at her mother. “I apologize for her rude and inappropriate question,” said Ava.
Justin caressed her arm. “It’s okay. I don’t mind answering it.” He looked towards Evelyn. “Not only is your daughter intriguing, smart, and beautiful. She is unlike any woman I’ve ever met. I may not know what the future holds, but there’s no way I would ever cast her away. She will always be an important person in my life.”
Her mother grimaced as she brought her glass to her lips. Ava could tell she wasn’t happy with Justin’s answer. They continued dinner with an awkward silence amongst them.
“I think we should go,” said Ava after finishing her meal. She loved her mother, but tomorrow morning couldn’t come fast enough. She’ll be on a plane and they would have the necessary distance between them. When they reached the parking lot, she asked her mother to wait in the car while she spoke with Justin alone.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.” He hugged her. “I gathered you shared with her your conversation with Nina.”
She lowered her eyes. “Yeah, big mistake. It’s not because I believe you to be a bed-hopping womanizer. Honestly, I was just venting about Nina sticking her nose in our business.”
“It’s been a long day. Take your mother home,and call me after you drop her off at the airport. Depending on how our day goes, maybe we can meet for lunch.”
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” She hugged and kissed him goodbye.
Chapter Sixteen
Ava and her mother shared a bittersweet moment as they said goodbye the next morning at the airport. She was glad to have spent the weekend with her, but sad how the days unfolded. She imagined spa treatments for two followed by shopping. Instead, they spent the entire weekend arguing about Justin. However, as she exited the car, Evelyn apologized for what Ava found to be inappropriate questioning and advised her to proceed with caution. She’d said Justin seemed like a decent guy with genuine feelings for her, but his type cannot be trusted.
After fighting mid-morning traffic, she made her way to her first client of the day to discuss lending options. While touting the difference between a traditional and small business loan, her thoughts drifted to Justin. They had gone from casually dating, to an announcement he wanted to further explore their relationship, to him giving her a key to his home. If she’s honest with herself, his return from out of town answered none of her questions. He may have extended his stay and given her a copy of his house key, but that doesn’t give her an insight into the next chapter of their story. After two-and-a-half months of dating, she’ll admit that she’s fallen fast for him and wants more. He’s everything she ever wanted in a partner. Justin listens and cares about what she has to say. He builds her confidence and gives her the ability to be her true self with him. That includes every fear or flaw. Most importantly, he never makes her feel less than.
By the end of the meeting, her client suggested they table the application for a loan while he considered other options. At this point, she usually would reiterate the benefits of a loan through her financial institution. This time she didn’t care. She high tailed out his office and used the free time before her next appointment to see Justin. When she arrived, she drove around the parking lot in search of his car. She spotted his red Ferrari parked in one of the three reserved parking spots. She turned her car into the spot beside his and strutted towards the door. Once on the elevator, her mother’s words replayed in her mind. She hated when she was right
. She deserved clarity and there was only one way to get it.
Since the receptionist’s desk was unoccupied, Ava proceeded straight to Justin’s office. His door was closed, so she peeked through the side glass and found him alone staring at the computer screen. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
“Come in,” he shouted from the other side.
She crept opened the door and poked her head in. “Hey, is this a good time?”
“Ava…” he said, with a hint of surprise. He glanced at his watch as he walked towards her. “I thought you were in meetings all morning.” He kissed her cheek.
“One just wrapped and my next one is in a few hours. I wanted to see you first.”
“Is there something wrong? You look worried.”
“I do?”
“You have a line that forms in between your eyes. It appears when you’re stressed.”
The corner of her mouth turned upward, surprised he would notice something so small. “I know you’re busy, so I’ll get to the reason I’m here.” She stood rubbing the nape of her neck. Hoping she could get the words out. “I hate to bring up what happened at dinner.”
“I told you she didn’t offend me.”
“If I were you, I would be. The problem is…” She drew in a heavy breath. “I hate to admit this, but her words have gotten to me.”
He eyed her with confusion. “In what way? I wished Nina would have never opened her mouth.”
“This has nothing to do with her. Look, for full disclosure I saw pictures online of you with the women Nina referred to.” She glanced towards him for acknowledgment. There was none. Instead, he continued to eye her with bewilderment. “I’m not a jealous woman. I just hate wasting my time, so I need to know if we’re on the same page.”
“I thought we were.”
“Justin, you have a knack for answering a question without really answering it. I can’t continue this relationship without knowing what happens when your time here ends.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders and as his mouth opened to speak his eyes moved passed her towards the door.
“Justin, are you ready?” She heard a female voice say. Ava turned around and saw a tall curvaceous woman she had never seen before in the doorway. Ava gave her a quick once-over. She had long blonde hair. Obviously, extensions. Big breast, tiny waist, plump behind. Plastic surgery. Her eyes the color of emeralds glared in Ava’s direction. Something women do when they feel the other had infringed on their territory. She’s either an ex-girlfriend or a current something.
Justin removed his hands from Ava’s shoulders and gestured for the woman to enter his office. “Becky, I would like for you to meet Ava Sinclair, a close acquaintance. She works for the firm who’s handling the financing on the lakeside property.” He turned towards Ava. “Ava, I would like for you to meet Rebecca Shaw. She just flew in from San Diego. She’s acting liaison between JTH Properties and our many contracting firms.”
“Nice to meet you,” said Ava, with a forced smile.
“Do you mind waiting downstairs, Becky? I need to finish my meeting with Ava. I will only be a few minutes.”
“Remember, we have to arrive right at three,” she said before closing his office door.
Justin waited until she left before speaking. “I’m sorry I would love to continue this, but I have to meet with potential contractors.”
“Sure.” She turned towards the door. “Your day seems pretty full. I’ll get out of your hair.”
He grabbed her hand. “I gave you my key for a reason. Use it. When you finish your meeting, go to my house, and wait. We’ll have dinner, and I’ll give you my undivided attention. No interruptions. Promise.”
A half smile made its way onto her face. “Okay.”
“Walk out with me.”
She followed Justin to the elevator. Once inside he pressed the button for the lobby. Right as the doors closed, he pulled her into a kiss. It caught her off guard but not enough for her not to reciprocate.
“You look beautiful as always,” he said pulling away. The doors to the elevator opened with Rebecca waiting nearby. As Ava stepped off, she noticed Rebecca’s eyes drift between she and Justin like she was contemplating something in her mind. Just in case she couldn’t figure it out, Ava kissed Justin on the lips. “See you tonight,” she said before strutting ahead of them out the door.
Chapter Seventeen
By the end of the day, Ava was tired and ready to unwind with Justin. She’d stopped by her house to pack an overnight bag and drove straight to his home. Once inside, she texted him to get an idea of when he would arrive, but it was silence from his end. So, she used the time to shower and change into an enticing outfit. She selected a black lace chemise that plunged in the center with a coordinating black robe.
Ava entered the kitchen to get started on her surprise dinner. Justin had often mentioned he loved salmon, so she thought she would try her hand at it. She’s never cooked it before but figured how hard could it be. That’s what she told the lady behind the seafood counter at the grocery store. A sweet elderly seafood clerk took the time to give her cooking tips. The first tip was the importance of a crispy skin. The second tip was achieving the proper cook on the fish. Overall, the tips were great, but she needed to watch a step-by-step video. Ava pulled out her phone and chose the most viewed video of a chef with cropped blue dyed hair. He echoed the same words about the crispy skin. Right as the chef placed the salmon in the pan, her phone chimed indicating an incoming text. Her heart raced as she quickly paused the video hoping it was a response from Justin. She frowned when she saw it was Tess with a picture of her latest find of an authentic Gucci wallet. Ava smiled and closed out the text. Maybe one day she’ll share the same excitement as her friend when she starts a company of her own.
After viewing the entire cooking video, Ava felt she was confident enough to prepare the meal. She peeled and diced the sweet potatoes before placing them in the oven. Thirty-minutes later she steamed the spinach and prepared the salmon. Once complete, she plated two servings hoping Justin would walk through the door. Moments later, as if he read her mind, she heard the slam of the front door. She immediately dropped the serving spoon and ran towards the foyer.
“Justin! I’ve texted you for hours. Why didn’t you respond?”
He stood there with his eyes bugged and mouth agape. “If I had known you were waiting dressed liked that I would’ve rescheduled my meeting.”
Ava glanced down at herself. She’d forgotten she wore something that barely covered her ass. “It was a surprise for you along with dinner.”
“You cooked?” He asked in a surprising tone.
“Yes, hoping you would arrive in time to enjoy it. Were you tied up in a meeting this entire time?”
“I’ll answer your questions after a quick shower.”
She took notice of his unusual disheveled appearance. He was sweaty with his dress shirt untucked from his pants, his usual impeccably comb hair that always had a layer of mousse had multiple strands going in every direction. He appeared as if he had been in a fight or engaged in another activity she rather not think about.
Ava eyed him strangely as he touted up the stairs. Once he disappeared down the hall, she retreated to the kitchen to place their plates in the stove’s food warmer. While she waited, she poured herself a glass of white wine allowing her mind to shift from one scenario to another, wondering where he could’ve been. She had finished her glass by the time he returned downstairs. “Food smells delicious,” he said, leaning forward aiming for her cheek.
She halted his motion with her palm held firm against his chest. “We need to talk about why you ignored both of my text messages.”
“I received your first message. I couldn’t respond right away because I was meeting with a contractor. By the time it wrapped, my phone had died.”
“You could’ve called once you were on your way home. Does this have anything to do with Rebecca? Were you and her—you know?�
�
“Becky? No!”
“Then why did you looked as if you rolled out of bed after a night of partying?”
“It’s a long story I rather not get into, but I promise it had nothing to do with Becky. She and I are colleagues nothing more.”
“But you used to be more, right?”
Justin let out an irritated sigh. “A long time ago. We both decided it was best to keep our relationship professional.” He removed the wine glass from her hand and placed it on the counter. “Look, why waste this sexy outfit talking about someone that’s irrelevant?” He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. “I rather take you upstairs and show you that person means nothing to me.”
She tilted her head upward and met his eyes. “And what do I mean to you?”
“I thought I answered that already.”
“In your own way.” She wriggled out of his arms. “I hate to do this when I planned such a beautiful evening for us, but I have to lay everything on the line.”
He folded his arms against his chest. “I promised you my undivided attention, so I’m listening.”
She exhaled a deep breath and hoped she wouldn’t regret revealing how she felt. Usually, a guy will turn and run if their feelings aren’t the same. She would hate to lose him now, but she can no longer remain silent.
“You never made your plans to leave Atlanta a secret. I accepted it and dated you, anyway. I thought when the time came for you to leave, I could walk away.” She wiped a tear that had fallen down her cheek. “My feelings for you have deepened, and I care for you more than I thought I would.”
Justin remained silent and pulled her close. She rested her head on his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. He placed a kiss on top of her head. “I hate that I’ve caused you to question my feelings for you. I’m not the most transparent person, but I try. I extended my stay and left it open-ended for us.” He lifted her chin and gazed into her eyes. “I want to be crystal clear so there aren’t any misunderstandings. There is no other woman who occupies my thoughts, or who I rather spend my time with. I want to be with you and only you.”
Betrayed by You Page 10