Chapter 79
Maya's POV:
I was just packing up my desk for lunch when Victoria Garrison appeared at my cubicle, all smiles and sunshine.
"Maya!" She beamed, looping her arm through mine before I could react. "Let's have lunch together."
I froze.
Sarah and Mark looked up from their desks, eyes wide with shock. Their expressions mirrored exactly what I was thinking.
I carefully extracted my arm from hers. "Miss Garrison, I don't think we'd have much to talk about. Let's not force it."
"Oh, come on," she cooed, reaching for my arm again. "Whatever you want to eat, I'll treat you. My treat!"
What is she playing at?
"Miss Garrison, really, there's no need—"
The door to Julian's office opened.
Victoria practically bounced toward him, dragging me along like a ragdoll.
"Julian!" Her voice went up an octave. "I invited Maya to lunch. You should come too! Let's all go together."
Julian's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at her.
"Come on, Julian," Victoria pressed, her voice dripping with forced cheer that made my skin crawl. "Let's go to that French place downstairs. My treat!"
I opened my mouth to refuse.
"Fine," Julian said.
I blinked. What?
Victoria didn't wait for me to respond. She just grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the elevator.
---
The French restaurant on the ground floor
When we got to the table, Victoria pushed me into the seat next to Julian.
"Sit here, Maya," she chirped. "Next to Julian."
Julian didn't say anything. He just poured me a glass of water.
Victoria's eyes flicked between us, sharp and calculating despite her sugary smile.
"You're so thoughtful, Julian," she said, leaning back in her chair. "Always taking care of Maya."
I took a sip of water, keeping my voice neutral. "Mr. Garrison is a gentleman. He treats everyone with respect."
"Is that so?" Victoria tilted her head, her smile sharpening into something that looked more like a smirk. "Because I've never seen him pour water for Sienna."
She turned to Julian. "Isn't that right, Julian?"
Julian lifted his own glass and drank, his expression unreadable.
Victoria leaned forward, her elbows on the table.
"You know, Maya," she said conversationally, "I think my brother likes you."
I choked on my water.
Julian set his glass down with a soft clink, still saying nothing.
"Miss Garrison," I said firmly, setting down my glass, "Mr. Garrison and Miss Hartley are getting engaged soon. Please don't say things that could cause misunderstandings."
"Misunderstandings?" Victoria laughed—a high, tinkling sound that grated on my nerves. "Maya, you should be braver! Julian likes you, and I bet you like him too. You two should be together. Forget what anyone else thinks."
"We're just colleagues," I said, my voice clipped. "That's all."
"Come on, it's just us here." Victoria leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "You don't have to hide it. Julian, you like Maya, don't you?"
Julian continued drinking his water.
Victoria's smile widened. "Why don't you two just... I don't know, elope or something? Get married in secret. That'll make Sienna back off for sure."
I'd had enough.
I stood up, grabbing my purse from the back of my chair.
"Excuse me."
Victoria didn't try to stop me.
---
I crossed the street to a small Italian place.
I ordered spaghetti marinara and sat in a corner booth, trying to process what the hell had just happened.
I was halfway through my bowl when someone slid into the seat across from me.
Julian.
He flagged down a server. "Same as hers, please."
I looked up, startled. "Mr. Garrison?"
He leaned back in his chair, loosening his tie with one hand. "I couldn't eat with her. She makes me lose my appetite."
I bit my lip and went back to my spaghetti, twirling the fork slowly.
"Maya," he said quietly.
I didn't look up.
"What Victoria said—"
"Don't worry about it," I cut him off, keeping my eyes on my plate. "I know she's just trying to sabotage your engagement. She doesn't want you marrying Sienna because it'll give you more power in the company. I get it."
"Maya," Julian said again, more firmly. "Victoria wasn't wrong."
I froze, my fork halfway to my mouth.
"I do like you," he said, his voice low and careful. "Everything I said to you that night—it was all true."
My throat tightened. Shit.
"But my father stopped me," Julian continued, his hands flat on the table. "Because of Adam's pressure. He wanted to transfer you out. Push Sienna on me. I had no choice but to back off."
Adam.
I set my fork down carefully, forcing myself to meet Julian's eyes. "Why are you telling me this now?"
"Because I don't want to hide it anymore." His voice was almost pleading. "I want you to know how I feel."
I sighed, the weight of his confession settling over me like a heavy blanket. "And what good does that do, Mr. Garrison? Even if you gave up everything for me—which you won't—I don't feel the same way. I can't be with you."
He flinched like I'd slapped him.
After a long moment, he asked quietly, "If I gave up everything, would you even consider it?"
"No," I said immediately.
He laughed, but it was hollow. Empty.
I put down my napkin, the pasta suddenly tasteless in my mouth. "Mr. Garrison, when I was at my lowest, you gave me a job. You helped me more than you know. Working with you has been... good."
His eyes snapped up to mine.
"But you're back in Boston now," I continued. "You're going to do great things. And I need to move on. I've been thinking about resigning for a while now. I'll submit my letter when we get back to the office."
"No." Julian sat up straight, his voice sharp. "Maya, don't resign. I still need you."
"Sarah and Mark are excellent," I said. "You can trust them. Or hire someone new."
"No one works as hard as you do."
"Mr. Garrison—"
"I'm not asking you to be with me," he interrupted, leaning forward. "Just... stay. At least until I marry Sienna. Once that happens, my position in the company will be secure. Then you can leave if you want. Please, Maya."
I hesitated, my fingers twisting the napkin in my lap.
"You said I helped you when you needed it," he said softly. "Help me now. Just this once. Help me get my footing."
Damn it.
I owed him. I owed him for taking a chance on a single mom with no experience, no connections, no hope. For letting me keep my daughter fed and housed when the world felt like it was caving in.
"Fine," I said finally.
Julian's face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. "Thank you, Maya. Really. Thank you."
---
The next morning, I was still in bed when my phone rang, jarring me out of a restless sleep.
Chloe.
I answered groggily, my voice rough. "What?"
"I just sent you a link," she said, her voice tight in a way that made my stomach drop. "You need to see this. Now."
"See what?"
"Your gossip, babe. Check your messages."