Chapter 52
Mrs. Sterling's POV:
I stood at the entrance of Sterling Global, watching that woman—Maya—rush out of the building like she couldn't escape fast enough.
Who is she running from?
The wind whipped her ponytail across her face. She pulled her coat tighter and headed straight for the parking lot.
I followed.
Not because I wanted to meddle. Well, maybe a little. But mostly because I liked her. The girl was genuine. Polite. Kind. And she'd saved my life in that godforsaken forest when I'd twisted my ankle.
Plus, my grandson had been acting like a lovesick fool ever since she showed up.
And he won't admit it.
I caught up to her near the parking garage entrance.
"Maya!"
She turned, eyes widening. "Mrs. Sterling?"
I waved my hand. "Don't look so shocked. I'm old, not dead."
She smiled—polite but cautious. "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing." I tilted my head. "Were you looking for Adam?"
Her face flushed. "Mrs. Sterling, I—no. I was just dropping off documents."
"Mm-hmm." I didn't believe her for a second.
She shifted on her feet. "Really. Mr. Sterling and I... we're not..."
"Not what?" I stepped closer.
Her face turned bright red. "We're not—"
"I know, I know." I patted her hand. "You're not together. That's only because my idiot grandson messed things up, didn't he?"
She blinked. "What?"
"Listen." I grabbed her hand. "Whatever Adam did or said—and I know he probably did something—I'll handle it. You don't worry."
Maya looked like she wanted to laugh. Or cry. "Mrs. Sterling, that's really not necessary—"
"Of course it's necessary." I squeezed her hand. "You're a lovely girl. I like you."
Her eyes softened. "Thank you. But—"
"No buts." I pulled out my phone. "We're connecting on Instagram right now."
"Instagram?" She looked startled.
"You think I'm technologically illiterate? I have two million followers." I opened the app. "What's your handle?"
She hesitated. Then sighed. "@maya.bennett."
I typed it in and hit Follow. A second later, she pulled out her phone.
"You just—Mrs. Sterling, your profile picture is a photo of Adam as a baby."
"I know. Adorable, right?"
She smiled—genuinely this time.
Good.
She followed me back. "Mrs. Sterling, where were you headed?"
"I need to go to Mike's Pastry, and my driver's not here yet. Could you take me?"
She smiled. "Okay. Sure."
---
I climbed into the passenger seat, and she buckled me in like I was a child.
"You don't have to do that," I said.
"Yes, I do." She shut the door gently.
As she started the engine, I looked over at her. "So, Maya. Where do you work?"
"Garrison Industries."
"Garrison?" I perked up. "Thomas Garrison's company?"
"Yes."
"What's your position?"
"I'm an Executive Assistant to the General Manager."
"Very impressive." I studied her profile as she drove. "Who's your boss?"
"Julian Garrison."
"Ah. Thomas's younger son."
"Yes."
"And how is he as a boss?"
Maya's expression softened. "He's been very good to me. I came here from Cleveland with him."
Cleveland.
Adam's first girlfriend worked in Cleveland. And then they broke up. And he'd been miserable ever since.
---
"Mrs. Sterling, we're here," Maya spoke.
I looked out the window. Mike's Pastry. The line stretched down Hanover Street.
Maya parked near the curb and helped me out. "You wait here," I said. "I'll be quick."
Ten minutes later, I walked out with two boxes of Cannoli—one ricotta, one chocolate chip. I handed them both to Maya.
"These are for you."
Her eyes widened. "Mrs. Sterling, I can't—"
"Yes, you can." I pressed the boxes into her hands. "They're the best in Boston."
"Thank you. That's so kind."
I waved my hand. "It's nothing."
I wish I could eat them myself.
But my doctor won't let me touch sweets anymore. High blood pressure. High cholesterol.
Getting old is a bitch
But I needed to stay healthy. For my great-granddaughter.
---
Maya drove me back to Sterling Global.
"Thank you for the ride, dear." I unbuckled my seatbelt.
"Of course. Anytime."
I squeezed her hand one more time. "Maya, I meant what I said. I like you. And I'm going to fix whatever Adam broke."
Her smile faltered. "Mrs. Sterling, you really don't—"
"I do. Trust me."
---
I marched straight into Adam's office.
Adam looked up from his desk, startled. "Grandma—"
I grabbed the pen out of his hand and smacked him on the shoulder with it.
"Ow! What the—"
"How dare you?"
He blinked. "What did I do?"
"What did you do?" I threw the pen on his desk. "I raised you to be a gentleman! To respect women! To be responsible!"
"I am—"
"You are not!" I glared at him. "You've done something to upset that poor girl!"
Adam's jaw tightened. "Grandma—"
"Don't 'Grandma' me!" I sat down heavily on his couch. "When am I going to get a great-grandchild, Adam? When? Do you want me to die without holding a baby?"
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "You're being dramatic."
"I'm being realistic." I crossed my arms. "You're nearly thirty. You should be married by now. With at least one kid."
"I'm working on it."
"Working on it? You've been 'working on it' for years." I leaned forward. "So tell me. What did you do to Maya?"
He didn't answer.
Finally, he sighed.
"Fine. Maya is my ex-girlfriend."
I blinked. What.
"Your ex?"
"Yes."
"From when?"
"Five years ago. In Cleveland."
Oh my God. It IS her.
My heart started racing. "The one you told me about? The one who left you because you were 'poor'?"
He nodded.
I stared at him. That sweet girl broke his heart?
No. I don't believe it. That girl is lovely. She's kind. She's genuine. And I refuse to believe she's a gold-digger.
"Adam, are you sure she left you for money?"
"Yes." His jaw clenched. "She told me she wanted to marry someone rich."
"You idiot." I wanted to smack him again. "Why don't you tell her the truth?"
"What?"
"Now that she knows your identity," I sat down again. "Have you tried to get back together?"
He didn't answer.
"Adam."
"Yes." His voice was flat. "I asked. She said no."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know?" I leaned forward. "Did you apologize? Did you explain?"
"I told her I wanted her back. That wasn't enough."
I sighed. Men are useless.
"Adam, did you say anything cruel to her?"
He hesitated.
Bingo.
"You're an idiot."
"I was angry—"
"You were stupid." I stood up. "No wonder she won't take you back. You insulted her."
He didn't respond.
I walked over and grabbed his chin, forcing him to look at me. "Listen very carefully. You're going to apologize to that girl. Properly."
"Grandma—"
"No excuses." I let go. "You hurt her. You fix it."
He opened his mouth—
James knocked on the door. "Mr. Sterling? I have the quarterly reports—"
He stopped when he saw me grabbing Adam's face.
James's eyes widened.
"Mrs. Sterling, is everything... okay?"
"Fine." I straightened my jacket. "I was just reminding my grandson to be a gentleman."