Page 26 of Tuxedos and Tinsel

“You always say that,” he joked. “I promise to be on my best behavior and bring out all the charm needed to get this deal done.” He reached for the doorknob and Chris placed a staying hand on his arm. “Man, would you relax?” Ian said with a chuckle. “Now come on. We’re already late.” He opened the door and froze. His smile faded and his eyes widened when he saw the two women seated at the table.No, no, no.His stomach dropped. “Maya?” he whispered.

She slowly came to her feet. “Ian?”

Ian turned back and met his brother’s grim expression.

“Sorry, bro.”

He turned back to Maya. Her expression went from shock to anger in a flash.

Ian’s father cleared his throat. “Ah, Ms. Brooks, I see you’ve already met my youngest son, Ian. With him is my oldest son, Christopher. If you all take your seats we can get started.”

Maya’s angry gaze never left Ian’s. “There’s no need. Hell will freeze over before I sell you my shop,” she gritted out. She snatched up her papers and purse and stormed past Ian out the still-open door.

Ian rushed after her. “Maya, wait.” He reached out and caught her arm.

She snatched out of his grasp. “Don’t touch me!”

“Maya, I’m sorry. I—”

“This is just another building to you, but it’smy life.I will loseeverything. You conspire to force me out of my business and the best you can do isI’m sorry? Are you sorry enough to drop this whole thing and let me keep my shop?”

His jaw tightened, but he remained silent.

“That’s what I thought.”

“Maya. I didn’t know.”

“And next you’re going to tell me you knew nothing about this deal,” she said sarcastically.

“Yes. Wait, no.” Ian scrubbed an agitated hand down his face, took a deep breath and started again. “Yes, I knew about the deal. No, I didn’t know your shop was the holdout.”

“This whole relationship was one big lie.” Maya chuckled mirthlessly. “So that was the important news. At least now I know why you wanted to talk to me so bad.” She turned and started down the hallway again.

The tears standing in her eyes were killing him. He stepped in front of her, blocking her path. “No, baby. That’s not what I wanted to tell you. You have to believe me, Maya. Ididn’tknow and nothing about our relationship has been a lie.” He cradled her face between his palms. “I wanted to tell you, I love you. I love you, Maya.”

She said nothing for several charged seconds, and for a brief moment her gaze softened before going cold again. “Nice try.”

“I’m very serious. I do love you,” he reiterated. Ian blew out another long breath. “I know you’re really angry right now and I’m worried about you. Let me drive you home.”

“I don’t need anything from you, least of all your concern,” she snapped. “Just stay away from me.” She stepped around him and rushed down the hall.

This time he let her go. He stared after her, feeling like his heart was breaking. Ian let the wall take his weight, closed his eyes and banged his head softly against it. How could this happen?

“Mr. Jeffries?”

Ian opened his eyes and straightened from the wall. It was the woman who had sat next to Maya. She had smooth honey-brown skin, was tall, slender and moved with the grace of a model striding down a runway.

She extended her hand. “I’m Rhonda Davis, Maya’s best friend and business partner.”

“Call me Ian,” he said, taking the proffered hand. “I’m sorry we have to meet under these circumstances.” He pulled a business card from his pocket and handed it to her. “Can you please let me know that Maya made it home safe? I’m concerned about her. I’d call myself, but right now I’m the last person she wants to talk to.”

She studied him for a moment. “You’ve fallen in love with Maya, haven’t you?”

“Yes. I just realized that I love her more than anything.”

She hesitated, then took the card. “I’ll see what I can do.” She turned and walked away.

He stood in the hallway a moment longer before going back to the conference room.