Page 18

By the time the meeting adjourned, he was the first to leave the room. His assistant tried to hand him a folder filled with reports, but he waved her off, promising to review them later. He needed air, a moment to get his thoughts back in order.

Out on the terrace, the city stretched below him in a restless sprawl of movement and noise.

He leaned against the railing, pulling out his phone again.

His finger hovered over her name. For a moment, he debated calling her, just to hear her voice, to anchor himself amidst the chaos of the day.

But he hesitated. Whatever this was between them, it couldn't be rushed—not when the stakes felt so high.

Instead, he slipped the phone back into his pocket, straightened his tie, and turned back to the office. There was still work to be done, even if his mind was miles away with her.

"Please say something. Anything."

Yvette shook her head. "I'm still trying to process. You had sex here in the store for hours."

"Shh." Putting down the cup of tea she had not taken a sip of, she looked around making sure that her clients were occupied as well as her staff. The little table had been added to the corner of the room for intimate and cozy discussions with clients while they decided what to wear with what.

It was set under a window seat and had a full view of the street. Vehicles whizzed by—the frantic rush silenced by the thick glass enclosure. "I want you to tell me this is a mistake."

"Why? Does it feel like one?"

She moved her shoulders in a jerky shrug.

She was worn out and battered. As soon as she stepped inside the store, she had been bombarded with work—with people demanding her attention.

And he had not called. Was that a good sign or a bad one?

she wondered. And should she care? After last night, she had expected—what exactly?

His phone call to say how wonderful the night had been?

This was Kai Tanaka. A man of very few words and one she no longer knew.

Maxie inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself as the rush of memories threatened to flood her thoughts.

She had always prided herself on being composed, on managing her emotions with the same precision she used to arrange the store's displays.

But now, the chaos in her mind mirrored the hustle of the street outside, every vehicle a reflection of the turmoil she felt.

Kai Tanaka—his name echoed in her head like a refrain she couldn't silence.

She knew his silence wasn't meant to be cruel; it was simply who he was.

Yet, after last night, her expectations had betrayed her, whispering promises that reality refused to honor.

She had allowed herself to hope, and in that hope lay a vulnerability she wasn't ready to confront.

A client approached, interrupting her reverie. She forced a smile, guiding them to a rack of shimmering evening gowns. But even as she spoke about fabric and fit, her mind wandered, tracing the silhouette of his features, the way his presence lingered like a shadow she couldn't shake.

Later, when the store had emptied and the day dipped into dusk, she found herself at the little table by the window again, staring out at the ever-moving street. Perhaps, she thought, it wasn't about waiting for his call. Perhaps it was about deciding what she wanted—what she deserved.

And as that thought settled over her like the first calm after a storm, her phone buzzed.

Her heart leapt, betraying her resolve. She glanced at the screen, expecting his name, hoping for it.

But it wasn't him. It was only a message, one of many that demanded her attention as the night pressed forward.

With a sigh, she slid the phone aside, determined to reclaim herself, one breath at a time.

"How was the sex? Or should I even ask?"

She laughed a little shakily as she leaned forward. "Did I tell you it was a marathon?"

"Bitch." Yvette muttered wryly. "What are you going to do?"

"He hasn't called."

"He spent the night."

"Yes, but he hasn't called, and he left before I woke up." She toyed with the sugar biscuits.

"There's no rule that says the guy has to call first. This is not the Victorian era." Her friend pointed out.

"I need time."

Yvette eyed her curiously. "And in the meantime, what about Matthew?"

She closed her eyes briefly. "I have a date with him on Friday."

"You're still going?"

"I cannot just break it, no matter what Kai says."

"Honey, you're playing a dangerous game and someone's going to get hurt. That someone is more than likely Matthew."

"I don't want to hurt him. He's a really nice guy." She picked up her cup and then put it back down. As she was about to say something more, the doorbell jingled, and Matthew walked in.

She blinked and wondered if she had somehow conjured him up. But he was real and walking towards them with a beaming smile.

"Matthew."

"Huh Oh." Yvette muttered. "Speak of the sweet man and he appears." Sliding from the chair, she offered her hand to him, delighted when he lifted it and brushed his lips over her knuckles. Aiming a mischievous smile at her friend, she added. "Sweet guy. See you later."

Rising, Maxie fixed a smile on her face and prayed desperately that it remained in place.

"What brings you here?"

When he took her hand, she did not object or pull away, even though she wanted to.

"My sister. I want to surprise her with another outfit."

"She's a lucky woman, to have such a caring brother."

"I would very much like you to meet her."

She became flustered and felt the guilt tearing through her. He really was a nice man, and she felt nothing except respect and mild caring. Especially after...

Using evasion, she steered him over to what she called the eclectic section. "Do you have any idea what you need?"

"You decide." He patted her hand. "I trust your good taste."

Pulling her hand away from his, she sifted through the assortment of outfits and plucked out a rose-colored shift with a multi-colored wrap. "With her coloring, I think this is perfect."

Matthew gave a pleased nod. "I love it. We're still on for Friday, right?"

The guilt spread to form a knot in her chest. "Of course we are." She forced a smile and wondered what on earth she was doing.

"Great." He looked very pleased. "I'm looking forward to it."

Just then her phone vibrated. "I have to take this. I'll let someone ring you up."

Rubbing a hand up and down her arm, he smiled at her. "Thanks."

She escaped into her office as soon as Marge came over and plucked out her phone. Ignoring the blip of her heart, she forced her tone to be neutral. "What do you want?"

There was a pause before he responded. "Good evening to you too. Are you mad at me for leaving you this morning?"

"Don't flatter yourself." Easing onto the side of the desk, she pressed a hand at her heart to try and slow it down. "I'm used to you leaving."

The pause came again, and she waited with bated breath. "That was uncalled for. I had to leave and did not want to wake you. I've been thinking of you ever since. I want to see you tonight."

"No." She wanted to say yes so badly that she had to clamp down on the word.

"Let me rephrase. I am seeing you tonight." The resolute tone had her hackles rising.

"Damn you. I need space and time away from you."

"What the hell for?"

"I don't owe you an explanation." She told him stiffly. "And I certainly do not have time to argue."

"Neither do I. I'm coming over, Maxie, and even if I have to camp outside your place, I will. I need you."

That admission coming from him, stopped her breath. Kai Tanaka never needed anyone.

"I have to think." She muttered.

"So you keep saying," The amusement in his deep voice had her going weak.

Her heart raced, her mind a whirlwind of indecision. Maxie gripped the phone tightly, as though the force might steady her trembling resolve. "Kai, don't." Her voice softened, betraying the sternness she wanted to maintain.

"Maxie, I'm not asking," he shot back, the determination in his tone cutting through her resistance like a blade. "You know me better than that."

She closed her eyes, trying to conjure the resolve to push him away, to keep the walls around her intact. But Kai wasn't one for walls—it wasn't in his nature to let barriers stand between them. He was relentless, and part of her hated how deeply that appealed to her.

"Fine," she whispered at last, the single word escaping before she had a chance to catch it. Her throat tightened as she added, "But don't expect anything."

Kai's chuckle was low and rich, a sound that both irritated her and ignited a flutter in her chest. "Maxie," he began, his tone a blend of amusement and promise, "I expect everything."

The call ended with a quiet click, leaving a silence that felt louder than the conversation had been.

Maxie lowered the phone from her ear, her hand still pressed against her chest as though she could hold her unraveling emotions in check.

She stared at the device, willing it to erase all traces of Kai's voice, his presence, his grip on her thoughts.

But her pulse wouldn't settle, and neither would her thoughts. She knew, as much as she hated to admit it, that Kai's arrival would not just bring closure—it would open doors she had tried so desperately to keep shut.

They were going to have to set some ground rules, and they really should talk, she decided.

She had promised to go out with Matthew, while at the same time having conflicting feelings for another man.

Who was she kidding? she thought wearily, rounding her desk.

They were not conflicting. She knew exactly what was happening.

What had been true for over ten years. Kai Tanaka was the only man she had ever loved and that was never going to change.

Rubbing her hands over her face, she considered that she was going to have to get behind it and figure out what the hell to do.