by Chloe Blake
Rolling over in bed, she clutched the covers to her chin, afraid to admit the truth to herself. He didn’t want to talk to her. The thought of leaving for LA without speaking to him made her shudder. Muffled male voices wafted up the stairs. Throwing back the covers, she jumped from the bed and scrounged through her disaster of a suitcase for sweatpants and a sweater large enough to cover the fact that she wasn’t wearing a bra.
She took the stairs two at a time and ran toward the kitchen, halting just before the entrance, then leisurely strolled toward the kitchen island where Nathan had set out pastries and coffee. That boy is going to get a raise. She followed the voices into the tasting room and rounded the corner, anticipating a cold welcome. Instead, she was warmly greeted by Nathan and James, who was hoping to find Nic, as well.
“It seems he has disappeared. His mobile just rings and rings.”
Maya clutched her chest. “Do you think he’s all right?”
“I’m sure he is fine, dear. He’ll turn up. I just needed him to sign these papers acknowledging the share transfer into your hands. Your papers to sign are here, as well.”
“May I see those?”
James handed Maya the papers, and she tore them up.
“Miss North!”
“I’m sorry, James. But I need Nic to keep his shares, and if he would talk to me, I would tell him that. I asked you to fix this, not make it worse.”
“Nic doesn’t want the shares.”
“What?” Nathan whispered. Maya finally looked at the young man, really looked at him. His face was puffy as if he hadn’t slept, or had been crying. He’d lost Albert, and now Nic? She’d really done a number on this place, hadn’t she?
Maya’s mouth turned down. “When did he say that?”
“He called me last night,” said James.
“Well, he is keeping them! He’s a better businessman than this. You don’t put money into a venture and then walk away from it. James, you tell him I said no!”
“All right, if I hear from him...”
“Why not go to the hotel?”
“I’m not sure he’s in Paris.”
Maya blinked, feeling a twinge in her heart. “Where else would he be?”
“Spain,” Nathan said, his gaze on the small face of Bacchus over the door.
Maya jammed her hand in her hair, trying to get rid of the anxious feeling that she would never see him again.
“Well, I’m sure he’ll be back,” James murmured.
“I’m leaving this afternoon.” Maya looked at both men, feeling she was being torn from something. “If you talk to him—” She paused. “Tell him... I’m not letting him off the hook that easily. Not until he calls me.”
She turned back toward her room, afraid she’d blurt out what she really wanted to say to Nic.
* * *
“What do you mean she’s gone back? She has a business to run!”
Nathan only stared at Nic when he returned to the vineyard a day later. “She’s a better businesswoman than this. You don’t inherit a business then let it run itself!”
“She’s left the day-to-day stuff to me until she gets back. Luckily, it’s slow now.”
“Humph.” Nic paced, his gaze falling on the closed door of Albert’s office. “When is she coming back?”
“Why don’t you call and ask her?”
Nic heard the blame in Nathan’s voice and decided to let the young man have his judgments. He’d asked himself that same question. If he was honest, it was all he could do to stop himself from calling her back, but every time he dialed, he felt like a fool. He was in love with a woman who had taken his business and then run back to her life in LA.
He’d listened to her messages again and again, each time not trusting himself to call and beg her to come back. He’d spent the weekend in Spain with his mother, trying to figure out if proposing to a woman he’d only known for a few weeks was a good idea. According to his mother, it was not. What did he expect?
But he’d found himself feeling bereft without Maya; he yearned to show her his favorite places in Barcelona. He listened to her voice mails over and over, as if she would appear through the receiver. Yeah, he loved her. But he wasn’t so sure that she felt the same, especially since her voice mails were all about business.
She’d gone back to LA for however long...and she probably didn’t miss him at all.
“Why don’t you call her? She’s your boss,” Nic said to Nathan’s narrowed gaze.
“Technically she’s your boss, too...unless you’ve quit,” Nathan said. “I left her a voice mail.”
“I haven’t quit. I was pushed out,” he said through gritted teeth. “And what is your problem? I know you have a thing for her, but she’s old enough to be your nanny.”
“I don’t have a thing. I like her. She reminds me of Albert. And I think she’s good for you, but you’re too invested in your stolen shares to see it.”
“For your information, she knows how I feel about her.”
“Does she?” Nathan’s brows lifted. “You told her you’re in love with her?”
Nic blinked. Hearing it out loud felt strange, but his heart said it rang true. “Not in so many words.”
“Well, no wonder she left.”
“I’m not the reason she’s gone!”
“You did nothing to persuade her to stay. You disappeared.”
Nic sighed. “My mother needed me.”
“You needed your mother.”
Nic’s head snapped up, wondering if Nathan would be able to take a punch to the nose. “And when did you get so smart?”
“Since first Albert and now you have let the woman you love go. Let’s just say I’ve learned what not to do in relationships.”
“So experienced, are you?”
“I’ve had my share,” Nathan spit back.
“Women are different from girls. It’s more complicated.”
“It’s not that complicated. It’s called communication.”
“Then what do you suggest I do, smart-ass?”
Nathan gathered his things from the desk. “Call. Her.”
Nic rolled his eyes. He was a kid. What did he know?
A minute later, he pulled his phone from his pocket.
* * *
Maya sat across from the CEO of One Consulting Group, wondering how long she had to listen to him talk about himself before she could leave and have lunch at In-N-Out Burger. Since landing the night before, she had been craving some good ol’ American fast food, although nothing topped Nathan’s breakfast spread.
The thought of never having it again made her frown. She supposed she’d have to try to make those little pastries herself from now on, because she had this job in the bag. Her potential boss was visibly impressed with her presentation on account management and the revenue she’d generated with SuperFoods, and he’d complimented her on her shoes. They talked about never missing an episode of Archer, Marvel comics and the last Star Wars movie.
She commented on the pictures of his family, how beautiful his daughters were and how his husband could have been mistaken for Anderson Cooper. They were comfortable together. She was a confident, competent woman, and he wasn’t threatened by her power. It was obvious she was a good fit for the company, and she would finally get what she had always dreamed of. Executive vice president of domestic and international consumer goods. Now that would look good on a business card.
Maya continued to smile and nod, her thoughts drifting to the last time she and Nic had made love. He still hadn’t called her back, which made her feel rejected in a way that no man ever had. She’d woken up in her own bed thinking about Nic, wishing he was there holding her, then rolling over and grabbing her phone, wishing he’d at least text her. Her refrigerator had been packed with expired food so she’d driven to the café a few blocks away. Even
the coffee tasted different. This is what alone tastes like, she’d said to herself.
“So, what do you think?” the boss asked with a grin.
“I think your company is going to knock ’em out of the water—with me on your team, of course.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
He offered her the job on the spot. And she feigned surprise and excitement, promising to give him an answer in a couple of days. She smiled, even as she knew that the one person she wanted to call wouldn’t answer the phone.
The CEO walked her out, buying her a coffee and joking that it was part of her benefits package. She laughed at the bad joke, seeing a future of those ahead of her. She sipped the coffee on her way out to her car. The dark roast tasted like loneliness with a shot of exasperation.
She threw her bag in the back seat and checked her phone. Nothing. Instead of turning on the car, she stopped and breathed, wondering why she didn’t feel even the slightest bit happy. She’d done it again, gone after what she wanted and gotten it. It wasn’t the way she had hoped, but the universe had provided. So what was the deal?
Then it had occurred to her that this feeling, wanting someone who was never going to be a part of her life, was the same type of hurt her father had gone through. She couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. Sitting in her car, shaking, coffee spilling on her skirt, she ugly cried. Hard. Hiccups and sobs escaped her throat as the tears kept falling. People walked by her car staring in. All of LA could have watched; she didn’t give a damn. All she’d ever wanted was to be appreciated, to be loved. Her father had loved her. It felt good to know, but it was too late. And Nic...well... If he wanted her, he’d call her back. Or do something even more dramatic, like show up and beg her to come back. She wiped her face, murmuring to herself that she watched too many movies.
The truth was that she understood why he was ignoring her. He’d been the silent savior of that business, and although it wasn’t his on paper, it was his in every way that mattered. She rolled her eyes. What was she going to do?
She jumped when her phone vibrated, and she quickly held up the screen. She let out her breath when she saw it wasn’t Nic, debated answering it, then pressed Accept.
“Hey, Jen.”
“Do not take that job at One Consulting.”
“How the hell...? Hold on...” Maya started her car and took the call through the dash as she drove home. “How did you know?”
“Girl please, you know how small this town is. And I swear Dave has a mole in every competitor in this city. He just called me and told me to whip up a contract and get you back. Meanwhile, why are you back?”
Maya’s head jerked so hard she swerved and got beeped at. She waved at the Volvo. “Sorry! Jen, I don’t understand.”
“Executive vice president of consumer goods. Do you understand that?”
“Um, I understand that is Rick’s title.”
“Oh no, Rick is getting fired at the end of the week. I have his paperwork all ready to go.”
Maya slammed on her horn in celebration. The Volvo sped off. “You’re kidding. What happened?”
“Chrissy filed a sexual harassment suit against him. Seems he’s been saying some inappropriate things to her.”
“Oh, my God, this made my day. You have no idea.”
“Well, Dave is prepared to offer you anything you want. He wants you to name your salary.”
“This is insane. I don’t know if I can even think about this right now.”
“Why? And you haven’t answered me—why are you back? Oh, my God, did you sell the company back to that hottie without consulting me?”
“No, the company is still mine. And the hottie hates me for it.” Maya turned into her condo parking lot and left the car running. What are the odds that she’d have two job offers in one day? So this was it, huh, universe? This was where she was supposed to be? Jen kept talking.
“You sound upset about that last part. Wait, did you and the hottie—”
Maya sighed. “Jen, I’ll talk to you about it later. I have to go.”
“Does that mean you’re going to take it? Because I told him it was a long shot, especially since you’re the CEO of your own company now.”
Record scratch. “Um, what?” Maya said. “What did you say?”
“I told him now that you’re a CEO, why would you want to be an EVP? It’s like demoting yourself or something...” Jen’s voice faded and Maya felt very calm suddenly, her mind’s eye focusing on a small, white rectangular card with her full name, Maya Elizabeth North Belcourt, and the title CEO underneath.
“Jen.” Maya cut off the rambling. “I have to go.”
“But what do I tell Dave?”
“Tell him I already have a job. I have to go... I’m heading back to Paris. Tonight.”
Chapter 18
His calls kept going to voice mail. It was after midnight, which meant early evening in Los Angeles. Where the hell was she? Was she blocking his calls? Was she with someone else? Nic wanted to throw his phone across the room. Instead, he placed it faceup on the desk in Albert’s den and checked several times that the volume was on high. His fingers trailed over the colored Post-it notes, and he picked up a pen with purple ink. Maya was all around him. He looked at the books that were pulled from the shelves and stacked neatly where she had left them. She was coming back eventually, right?
“I need these signed.” Nathan entered the room with a stack of papers and an open bottle of wine. Nic took the bottle first and poured them each a glass, then opened the folder of checks.
“Your boss will have to sign these,” Nic said, scrunching up his face.
“You’re still my boss, too, and nothing has been transferred yet, so please stop sulking and sign these before our vendors begin to hate us. They are past due.”
Nic raised a brow. The nerve of this young man. He was wiser than his years, but Nic would never admit that; nor would he ever tell the millennial that he was right. He should have told Maya how he felt. He didn’t know if things would be different, but he knew that this feeling—that he hadn’t done what he should have—would be gone. Nic grabbed the papers and signed his name with a sweeping scrawl. “You’re lucky you’re indispensable.”
“You’re indispensable, too, you know. She knows that.”
“She does?” Nic straightened. “Have you talked to her?”
“Only through email.” Nathan began restocking the books that Maya had left out.
Nic stared at Nathan’s back. “Are you really going to make me ask what she said?”
“She said she was figuring things out.” Okay, Nic thought, that’s valid. Then Nathan turned. “And she said she got a job offer.”
Nic’s eyes narrowed. “A job offer?”
“That’s what she said.”
“In Los Angeles.”
“Oui.”
A full minute went by as the men stared at each other. Nic’s breathing changed. The woman he loved, who had just stolen his business out from under him, was rebuilding her life across the ocean. “Call her right now.”
“But you just tried...”
“Call her! She’ll take it if it’s you.”
Nic held his breath as Nathan dialed, waited then pulled the phone from his ear.
“Straight to voice mail.” Nathan sighed. Nic bit the inside of his cheek. He was relieved to find that she hadn’t blocked him, but he didn’t like this black hole of noncommunication. He needed to do something shocking. That would get her attention.
“Give me her email.”
“Why?”
“Just do it!” Nic had a plan that Nathan wouldn’t approve of. So he didn’t tell him.
* * *
The next morning, with said plan in play, Nic was in a fantastic mood. James had been a little skeptical, but when Nic explained that it was the only way to
make sure she’d come back, well, the old romantic couldn’t resist. He had even added a few frightening legal details of his own for maximum effect. The letter had been sent in an email last night, and although he had no Read receipt, he knew she’d get it. He also knew she’d call. He checked his phone for the hundredth time, then popped a few more croissants in his mouth. It was going to be a good day; he could feel it.
And yet by late afternoon, he still hadn’t heard from her. He called James, who hadn’t heard from her, either. He’d gotten off the phone when a call came through. His heart skipped, then sank when he saw Claude Rhone’s name pop up. He sighed, debated, then took the call, inviting the man over to explain that the vineyard was no longer for sale.
The meeting was short, and Claude said he wasn’t disappointed as long as he got first dibs on the grapes.
Nic and Claude shook hands. “I’ll make sure of it.”
“Can you say that for sure? I’ve heard rumors that you may no longer have the business.”
“Those are just rumors, Claude. Maya will be taking more responsibility, but I will never let go of this business.” Nic glanced at his phone, then back to Claude, distracting himself by offering Claude a tasting of some of the older peaking vintages.
Claude cleared his throat. “I’m aware that you and Daphne no longer see each other.”
“Claude, your daughter is smart and beautiful.” Claude puffed up his chest. “But I’ve never reciprocated any feelings for Daphne, which I have told her several times.”
“My daughter can be tenacious when she sees something she wants, but I understand if the spark wasn’t there. I’m disappointed that you won’t be my son-in-law, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“I’ve been there myself. Daphne’s mother wasn’t who my family chose for me. But you can’t choose who you fall in love with. The heart wants what the heart wants.”