Chapter Eighteen

When Maya entered the apartment, her eyes fell on Bobby. He stood in the entryway in a suit and tie. His blonde hair was secured into a slicked-back ponytail, and she could smell his cologne from the door.

“What’s going on?”

“Jesus Christ, Maya. It’s almost seven. You have to get dressed.”

“Why?” Maya pulled her hand away as he reached for her. “What’s going on?”

“We’re having dinner with Tony Scarpeti.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner, and who is Tony Scarpeti?”

“He’s doing a movie, and I might get the lead.” Bobby’s blue eyes sparkled with excitement. “Tonight is about striking a deal—maybe.”

She shook her head. “Why didn’t you give me some warning?” Maya winced as her shoulders grew stiff. Already the relaxation of the afternoon spent with Roarke had dissipated.

He frowned at her. “Mr. Scarpeti invited us today. I couldn’t say no.”

Maya knew their discussion would have to be postponed until after the dinner. “What time are we meeting him?”

“Eight.”

“Eight.” She looked down at the slacks and vest she wore. “I’ll never make it.”

“Hurry.” He took her arm to push her toward the bathroom. “And make yourself beautiful.”

She put her hands on her hips, frowning up at him. “Why?”

Bobby’s eyes shifted away from hers. “I’ve heard he has an eye for the ladies. It can’t hurt if you impress him.”

With a disgusted sigh, Maya marched down the hall to the bathroom. Thank goodness she had taken a shower at Roarke’s before she left. She applied makeup and twisted her hair into a loose bun. Afterward, she stripped off her clothes and dashed down the hall to their bedroom.

She locked the door behind her so Bobby couldn’t walk in. It was crazy when she considered how many times they had seen each other naked, but she no longer wanted to be exposed in front of him. It would feel like she had cheated on Roarke.

After she put on underwear and stockings, Maya took a black dress from the closet and grimaced at the thought of wearing it. The heat that enveloped the city would transform the frock to a furnace, but it was her only formal dress, so she had no alternative. She slid the simple silk sheath over her head while she shoved her feet into black pumps. When she hurried from the bedroom, she found Bobby in the hall, where he leaned against the wall. “Zip me?”

He grunted and set aside his drink as Maya turned around. Bobby lifted the zipper, and then put his hands on her hips. “There’s something different about you.”

“Huh?” Maya fought back a blush as she turned back to face him.

His eyes narrowed as they examined her. “You’re different.”

She rolled her eyes. “We don’t have time for this. There’s traffic…”

Bobby shook his head. “You look different.”

Was it an afternoon of great sex or the knowledge she was in love that made her look so different? Maya shrugged unconsciously and tried to divert Bobby’s attention from her. “Mr. Scarpeti won’t like it if we’re late.”

He nodded. “Yeah, we should go.” He eyed her critically. “Take your hair down.”

“What?”

“You should wear your hair down.”

“That style doesn’t suit this dress.”

His lip curled. “Maya, the fashion guru.”

Her spine stiffened. “I prefer economy over fashion. It’s something you could learn about.”

Bobby glared at her. “I want you to wear your hair down. I said you had long hair, and I want you to show it off.”

“Too bad. It’s hotter than hell out there.” Maya turned from him and scooped up her purse and car keys on the way to the door. “Coming?”

“Yeah.” Bobby snatched the keys from her hand and strode from the apartment. He didn’t seem to care if she kept up.

Rather than run after him, Maya walked at a sedate pace. When she got to the parking garage, she found him behind the wheel. He glowered at her when she opened the door. With a cool smile, she climbed into the SRX and slammed the door as he accelerated from the space. Maya shook her head at the way he drove and fastened her seatbelt without comment.

The ride to Cïrqué was laden with a tense silence that she felt no inclination to break. Once she opened her mouth, Maya knew the truth would fly out, and she didn’t want to ruin Bobby’s deal with Tony Scarpeti. Their breakup was imminent, but she didn’t want it to be acrimonious. Not that she wanted to be friends with Bobby either.

Bobby left the SRX with a valet and took her arm. He wore a charming smile, and Maya tried to keep the frown off her face. Always the consummate actor, her Bobby. A small smile found its way through her lips. Not really her Bobby for much longer. Was she a terrible person to feel so relieved? No longer would she have to pander to his ego or give in to his wishes. She sighed quietly and received a warning look from him.

The maitre‘d greeted them with a sneer, but quickly humbled himself when Bobby gave the name Scarpeti. “Ah, yes. Mr. Scarpeti waits for you in the lounge.”

They followed him into the small lounge where a handful of people waited. Maya saw a dark-haired man and woman at a table and assumed they were the Scarpetis. Instead, the maitre‘d led them to a lone man. He was in his forties, with thick black hair, intent dark eyes, and olive skin. He was on the chubby side, but still handsome.

“Bobby,” she hissed at him.

“What?” he asked out of the corner of his mouth.

“Why did you bring me? This is obviously a business dinner, or he would have a date too.”

Bobby shrugged and disengaged his hold on her to extend his hand to Mr. Scarpeti. “Hello, sir.”

“Bobby.” He spoke with the tiniest trace of an accent. Mr. Scarpeti shook his hand and flashed three shiny gold rings. Then he turned to smile at her. “You must be the fiancé.”

Maya held out her hand. “Maya, Mr. Scarpeti.”

He took her hand, pressing a kiss to the palm instead of shaking it. “Call me Tony. Did you want a drink, or shall we go to our table?”

Maya left Bobby to answer as she discreetly wiped her palm on the dress and followed them across the restaurant to a round table in a quiet alcove. She remained quiet as they discussed the movie and concentrated first on the menu, and then on her food. She tried to hide her boredom, but a yawn escaped her.

“Look at us.” Tony shook his head. “We’re discussing business when we could be discussing pleasure.” He winked at Maya.

She frowned at him and automatically pressed her back against the linen of the chair. “This is a business meeting, so please don’t feel like you have to entertain me.”

He frowned at Bobby before he regarded her intently. “It is just business for you?”

She shrugged. “What else would it be, sir? This is about Bobby’s career, after all.”

He stroked his chin and suddenly laughed. “Ah, I see.” His mirth disappeared when he turned to eye Bobby. “You have not represented this arrangement honestly, Mr. Waller.”

“I’m telling you she’ll do it.” Sweat beaded Bobby’s forehead.

Once more, Tony’s eyes studied Maya. “I think not. There is nothing about the girl to suggest she is accustomed to these sorts of games.”

Bobby shook his head. “What about Thomas?”

Maya’s mouth fell open. “What does Roarke have to do with anything?”

Tony shook his head and laid aside his napkin. “I have had enough of this, and I think you will be busy explaining long into the night, Waller.” He opened his wallet to peel off a few bills and tossed them on the table. He rose and nodded to both of them. “Good night.”

Before Bobby could say anything, Scarpeti had walked away from the table. “Bastard.” He slammed his hand on the table and turned to glare at Maya. “This is your fault.”

She bit back a retort as she pushed away from the table. Most of the Mandarin Quail remained on her plate. “We need to leave. Now.” She didn’t look back to see if he followed as she marched from the restaurant. She stood on the curb near the valet and waited for Bobby to emerge.

He stopped beside her, obviously angry. Bobby took the keys from his pocket and tossed them to the valet. “The SRX.”

The red-jacketed valet nodded, and then hurried to the lot. When he pulled up with the SRX a minute later, Bobby tore around to the driver’s side. As the valet got out, Bobby pointed to a tiny scratch on the bumper. “Look what you’ve done to my car.”

The young man shook his head. “No, sir. I didn’t…”

“You incompetent moron. I’ll have you fired for this.” Bobby grabbed the lapels of his red jacket and shook him vigorously. “You’re going to pay for that.”

Heat filled Maya’s cheeks as she hurried forward. She wrenched on Bobby’s arm. “Stop it. You know that scratch was there before. You made it on the way home from the dealership.”

The kid pulled himself free and hurried back to his kiosk on legs that trembled.

Bobby glared down at her. “Don’t contradict me.”

“Don’t act like an ass in public. You’re taking your anger out on that kid.” She scowled at him before she walked around to the passenger side. Bobby had already climbed inside, and Maya’s mouth dropped open when he locked her side. She glared at him, but refused to plead for entrance. She turned on her heel to reenter the restaurant, where a bank of payphones lined the wall.

By the time she emerged into the heat again for the taxi that stopped at the curb, Bobby and the SRX were gone. Maya almost directed the cab to take her somewhere besides their apartment, but she had nowhere to go at the moment. Besides, she wanted to toss Bobby’s ring back at him.