Page 24

She flinched, but only slightly, her composure slipping just enough to show the crack beneath. "I didn't come here to fight."

"Then why are you here?" His voice hardened, the words cutting through the fragile tension between them. "To remind me of what a bastard I am? Or to tell me how much better off you are now that I'm out of the picture?"

Her eyes narrowed, the heat in them unmistakable. "Do you honestly think that's why I'm here? God, Kai, for someone so damn perceptive, you can be incredibly dense."

She stepped closer, the space between them shrinking until he could see the faint tremor in her hand as she brushed a strand of hair from her face.

"You hurt me. And I'm not saying this to guilt you or to dredge up old wounds.

But you need to know that you weren't the only one who walked away from that mess feeling like they'd lost something. "

The ache in his chest deepened, a weight pressing against his ribs. "I never wanted to hurt you," he said quietly, the words barely audible above the whisper of the wind. "But I—" He shrugged restless shoulders, unwilling to drive the sword even deeper.

Her expression softened, the sharp lines of her features giving way to something more vulnerable.

"You met someone else. Someone from your past. And you dumped me without a second thought.

" She looked around as if expecting to see someone else materializing from the shadows.

"Where is she? This paragon of virtue? I expected to see her here with you. "

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence filled with the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant hum of the city. Kai searched her face, looking for the anger, the blame, but all he found was a quiet sorrow that mirrored his own.

"That's none of your business."

Maria took a step back, breaking the spell. "I should go," she said, her voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of emotion. "But, for what it's worth, Kai... I don't hate you. I never could."

She turned and walked away, her figure retreating into the glow of the ballroom.

Kai stayed rooted to the spot, the cheroot forgotten between his fingers.

The cool night air no longer felt like a balm but a reminder that he should be with Maxie, wrapped around her like a cloak.

Instead, he was here, hurting like hell and feeling all alone.

She was not going to allow fury and yes—jealousy to spur her into making a decision she was going to regret.

No wonder he hadn't called her. Was this his idea of giving her time?

Hooking up with his ex? If she had ever been.

Maxie could not stop staring at the glossy photo of them standing close together.

The reporter had captured the intimate look, and the comment had certainly put the lid on things.

"Multi-billionaire businessman, Kai Tanaka seen here, cozied up to actress Maria Sato. This certainly puts the rumors of them splitting up—just that—rumors."

Deliberately reading the rest to torture herself, she learned that it was a fall charity event at his club.

Well, good for them. No damn him to hell!

she thought furiously. He had stormed into her life and stirred things up and now he was with that bitch, the same one he assured her was a thing of the past. She hated him.

He had declared his love for her and at the slightest disagreement, had run off to be consoled by her. Well, they deserved each other.

Sliding the magazine into the lap drawer of the table, she forced a smile to her lips as Matthew came walking in.

She had asked to see him—to explain why she could not go out with him and had almost changed her mind when she saw the photo.

But Yvette was right. Her friend had reminded her that even if she decided not to do anything about her feelings for Kai, she would never be anything but friends with Matthew and he deserved to know the truth.

The store was empty at this time of the evening, the last clients mingling, taking in the costume jewelry on display. The trunk show was next Saturday and instead of them taking their products to another location, local artists and designers would be coming here to display their items.

"Matthew, I'm so happy you could make it." She smiled as he took both her hands and brought them to his lips. Waiting until he had taken a seat, she offered tea.

"I'm afraid I'm not much of a tea drinker." He apologized.

"I have gotten into the habit because of my mother." She poured some into a cup and wished it was laced with brandy to give her courage. "How have you been?" She hoped the nerves did not come through in her voice.

"Looking forward to our date tomorrow." He touched her hand lightly, a curious look on his face. "I have to admit that I was surprised when you asked me to stop by, seeing as we're seeing each other tomorrow." His grin flashed. "Not that I'm complaining in the least."

Guilt climbed up and settled into her chest.

She drew a deep breath, steadying herself, and withdrew her hand gently. "Matthew, that's actually why I wanted to see you tonight. I need to talk to you about something important."

His smile faltered slightly, and a flicker of concern crossed his face. "Is everything alright?" he asked, leaning slightly forward.

"It's... complicated," she began, tracing the rim of her teacup with her finger.

How could she phrase this without hurting him?

He was a good man, and the last thing she wanted was to shatter his hopes.

"Matthew, you've been nothing but kind and understanding, and I've enjoyed spending time with you. "

He nodded but said nothing, his demeanor shifting to one of quiet attentiveness. She could see the tension building behind his calm exterior, and it only made this harder.

"There's someone else," she finally blurted, her voice soft but firm.

"Someone I have feelings for, even though things between us are.

.. messy right now." She shook her head slightly, as if trying to shake away the tangled emotions threatening to spill over.

"It wouldn't be fair to you for me to pretend I can give you my full attention when my heart is still confused. "

Matthew leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly. For a moment, he said nothing, processing her words. Then he exhaled softly, a rueful smile touching his lips.

"I had a feeling," he said finally, his tone calm but edged with a faint trace of disappointment. "You're not the kind of woman who hides her emotions well, Maxie. Whoever this guy is, he's lucky to have your love, even if he doesn't realize it."

Her heart twisted at his words, and she reached out impulsively, her hand resting lightly over his. "Matthew, you deserve someone who can give you everything you deserve—someone who can adore you without hesitation. And I'm just... not that person right now."

He turned his hand over beneath hers, giving her fingers a reassuring squeeze. "I appreciate your honesty, Maxie. You're one of a kind, and I wouldn't want you any other way—even if it means hearing something I didn't want to hear."

"Why are you being so understanding? Why aren't you raging at how much of a bitch I am?" She moved her hand from under his and picked up the cup. Putting it back down without taking a sip, she clasped her hands together.

"Are you?" He asked kindly, eyes steady on her face. "I don't believe so."

His steadiness tore at her and caused her breath to hitch. This was what she had wanted, she mused angrily, an uncomplicated relationship with a man who was normal and not in the spotlight.

"He's from my past." She pressed her lips together, her thoughts scattered.

"We were eighteen and madly in love—at least, I was.

He's Japanese American and his family would never have approved of the relationship.

His father died suddenly, and he was called to stand as the man in the family.

It meant taking over the company, one with substantial holdings. "

"That must have been tough on a boy of eighteen.

" He murmured, smiling slightly at her surprised look.

"I can hate the guy and still understand what he must have faced.

Losing a parent, the mainstay in the family and then thrust into a leadership role.

" He shrugged. "I lost my dad when I was sixteen.

Motor vehicle accident. He was also a lawyer, and it was as if the rug had been swept out from under us. "

"I'm so sorry."

He nodded. "We managed to move forward, but the loss took its toll." He took her hand in his. "You don't owe me an explanation my dear. I think I knew from the beginning that your heart was occupied. And besides," he grinned ruefully. "You were way out of my league."

"Please don't say that."

"It's fact." He patted her hand. "I hope we can still be friends."

"I would like that very much."

He smiled at her. "I hope it works out for you."

"I'm having a hard time convincing myself that it will." She sighed.

"My dear, you're the most beautiful woman I have ever seen and any man with enough sense would realize that as well."

Matthew stood, a warm but melancholy expression on his face. "I should probably let you get back to your evening," he said, his voice steady. "But, Maxie, if you ever need a friend—or just someone to remind you how amazing you are—you know where to find me."

She nodded, unable to trust her voice, and watched as he walked out of the store, his shoulders squared but his steps slower than usual.

As the door swung shut behind him, Maxie felt the weight of her decision settle over her.

She had done the right thing, but why did it feel so painfully bittersweet?

Picking up her now lukewarm tea, she sipped, her gaze wandering around the store.

She still had some details to see to and would be staying until late.

She had thought of some designs and had been scribbling away furiously for most of the morning.

The bolts of fabrics, shimmering emerald, dense gold, ruby red, sparkling orange, lots of colors, some with lace trimmings around the necklines, others with jewels hidden behind folds.

She would get to work on them tonight after everyone had left for the day.

She was going to have to put her personal problems aside and concentrate on work.