Page 20 of Tuxedos and Tinsel

“Ian!”

His mother’s annoyed voice snapped him out of his inner debate. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”

She sighed impatiently. “I asked whether you were bringing your lady friend.”

“No. It’s not that kind of relationship. So who’s coming?” he asked, hoping to distract her from further questions.

She rattled off a list of relatives and close friends. “Then what kind of relationship is it?”

Ian smothered a groan. “We’re just friends and I’m sure she’ll be spending the day with her family. I have to get going, Mom. There are a few drawings I need to go over.”

“You’re not getting any younger, Ian, and don’t you see how happy your brother is?”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Mom, Shellie is a great woman and she’s perfect for Chris. I’m sure the perfect woman will come along sometime in the distant future. I just want to keep my focus on all the things going on at the office for now.”

“Well, that’s progress. Last time you said it would never happen. How are you coming with that big project?”

Did I just say that?“So far, so good, except there’s one business owner who doesn’t want to sell. Hopefully, she’ll come around soon.”

“Your father mentioned he’s planning to bring you in for the meeting in a couple of weeks. Well, if anyone can change her mind it’s you.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“I’ll see you next week, baby. Love you.”

“Love you, too, Mom.”

Ian disconnected, got his coffee and headed for the room he had set up as an office. He took a seat at his drafting table, picked up the drawing he had started of the senior living complex and added more details. Nowadays designs could be done almost exclusively on the computer, but he still preferred to draw his by hand first. Minutes later, his mind went back to Maya. He tried to push the thoughts aside and focus on his task but gave up after several minutes. He buried his head in his hands. She was getting to him.

He went to his bedroom for socks and tennis shoes, then headed for his small home gym. He hoped the physical exertion would curb his desire for Maya. After an hour, the only thing exhausted was his body. Thoughts of Maya continued to dominate the space in his mind, but he was determined to ignore them. Ian toyed with going out for a swim in the pool, but nixed the idea, since the temperatures had dropped by a good fifteen degrees over the last two days.

He spent the remainder of the day working in his office, stopping only to eat. As he lay in bed that night, memories of making love to Maya and her lingering presence in his room surfaced and filled him with a longing he was helpless to fight. Ian decided that tomorrow—distance be damned—he had to see her.

Sunday afternoon, the moment Maya opened the door and smiled at him, sensations he couldn’t describe swirled in the pit of his stomach. He had called her earlier and asked if he could come over.

“Hey,” Maya said. “Come on in. Let me get my purse and list, and then we can go.”

He followed her inside and closed the door behind him. “List? Exactly how much stuff do you plan to buy? You said you only needed a few items.” He had agreed to go shopping with her, which was a testament to how badly he wanted to see her. Ian only shopped out of necessity.

“I do, but I always make a list so I don’t forget anything,” she called over her shoulder.

What had he gotten himself into? She came back a moment later and he led her out to his car. Once en route, he asked, “Why are you shopping for Christmas decorations so early?”

“Actually, this is late for me.”

His eyes left the road briefly to glance at her incredulously.

She laughed. “I put up my decorations the day after Thanksgiving. December tends to be really busy with all the holiday parties, and if I don’t do it now, I may not get around to it. Hopefully, I can find everything in one store.”

Ian felt his eyes widen. “Do you typically find what you’re looking for in one spot?”

“Nope. Most times I end up at six or seven places.”

He swallowed hard and tried to keep the panic out of his voice. “You don’t plan on going to that many stores today, do you?”

“Of course not. I know most men would rather endure a root canal than go shopping, so I won’t torture you. Whatever I don’t find today, I’ll get tomorrow after I’m done baking.”

Thank goodness!“Okay. You mentioned being busier next month. Have you booked many events?” They only had a month left, and for some reason, knowing he might not see her much didn’t sit well with him.