Chapter 37
Julian left the office around four. Said he had a meeting across town.
I was formatting a presentation when Thomas Garrison's assistant called.
"Ms. Bennett? Mr. Garrison needs to see you."
My stomach dropped.
Thomas sat behind his massive mahogany desk. Silver hair. Sharp suit.
"Ms. Bennett." He didn't look up. "I need you to deliver this to Sterling Global. Directly to Mr. Sterling's hands."
He slid a sealed manila envelope across the desk.
I stared at it.
"Of course, Mr. Garrison. Should I call ahead to confirm Mr. Sterling's availability?"
"Mr. Sterling is expecting it." His tone was final. "Julian's tied up all afternoon. You'll handle this."
Fuck.
I picked up the envelope. "Right away, sir."
---
I sat in my Toyota in Sterling Global's ground-level parking lot, gripping the steering wheel.
Through the windshield, I could see the main entrance. Glass doors. Very Boston Financial District.
Then I saw him.
Adam Sterling, walking out with his usual long strides. Charcoal suit. Those damn red-soled shoes.
And next to him—a woman in a bright blue dress. Perfect waves. Tall. Polished. The type who belonged on Newbury Street with a latte and a Chanel bag.
She touched his arm.
Just lightly.
My chest tightened.
I forced myself to look away and got out of the car.
---
The two receptionists recognized me immediately.
"Ms. Bennett!" Katie smiled. "You're here! I'll call Mr. Cooper down."
"Actually—" I held up the envelope. "I just need to drop this off."
"Oh no, you have to go up yourself. Mr. Cooper insists."
I glanced toward the glass doors. The blue dress woman was gone. So was Adam.
"Who was that?" I asked before I could stop myself.
Both receptionists leaned forward.
"Oh! That's Ms. Ashford. Claire Ashford."
Jessica nodded eagerly. "She just got back from London."
"She's like—Mr. Sterling's person, you know? Everyone knows. He's been waiting for her."
Katie jumped in. "He's never dated anyone seriously! His family tried to set him up with five different women, and he turned them all down."
"Because of her," Jessica finished. "It's so romantic."
My throat felt tight.
"Right." I forced a smile. "Can you make sure Mr. Sterling gets this?"
Katie blinked. "Wait—aren't you going up?"
"I just remembered I have to pick up my daughter. Thanks."
I didn't wait to hear the rest.
---
I pulled into my usual spot near the apartment.
And froze.
Adam Sterling stood outside my building. Hands in his pockets. Same suit from earlier.
Amy saw him first. "Uncle Adam!"
She ran toward him before I could react.
"Hey, kiddo." His voice was soft.
I walked over slowly. "Amy. Go inside, okay?"
She looked between us, then nodded. "Okay, Mommy."
I crossed my arms. "What are you doing here?"
"You went to Sterling Global today."
"I delivered documents. For work."
"Why didn't you come up?"
I stared at him. "I left them at the front desk."
"Not for you." He pushed off the wall. "James called me. Said you dropped off the envelope and left."
"I was in a hurry."
"Bullshit." He stepped closer. "You saw me with Claire Ashford."
My face burned. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Maya. Answer me."
"Fine. Yes. I saw you with someone. I didn't want to interrupt."
"So you just left."
"What was I supposed to do?" I tried to move past him. "It doesn't matter."
His hand blocked my path. "Maya, I told you last night. I want us to get back together."
"You said you wanted me. That's not the same thing."
"I want you back. I want to try again."
I shook my head. "Why? So you can test me again?"
"That's not—"
"You think I don't know what you really think of me? You said if I wanted to marry someone rich, you're rich. Like that's all I care about."
"Maybe five years ago, I would've said yes. But I'm not anymore."
Adam's expression darkened. "This is about Julian."
"What?"
"You're with him. That's why you're pushing me away."
"He's not going to marry you, Maya."
I laughed bitterly. "You don't have to keep reminding me!"
"I know I'm not good enough for Julian. And I'm sure as hell not good enough for you."
Adam stared at me. "Is that what you think?"
I wiped my eyes. "It's what I know."
"Maya—"
"No. You have Claire Ashford now. The receptionists told me. How you've been waiting for her."
"That's not—"
"Just go be with her, Adam. Stop confusing everything."
"We're not together."
"Sure."
"You really want to know?" His voice dropped. "You're jealous."
"I'm not—"
"You are. And I fucking love it."
"I'm angry because you won't leave me alone."
"Is that really why?"
I didn't answer.
"Maya. I'm trying here. To fix this."
"There is no us."
"Then why can't you look at me when you say that?"
I met his gaze. "There. Is. No. Us."
"Goddammit, Maya." He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm practically begging. What more do you want?"
My eyes turned red. "Adam, so you think I'm playing games? That I'm playing hard to get?"
"You say you want to get back together, and I'm supposed to just jump at the chance?"
"Maya, you said you wanted to marry rich. What don't I have?" His voice hardened. "You were the one who walked out five years ago. I'm letting that go. So what's your problem now?"
I grabbed my bag and hurled it at him. My body shook with rage. "Adam, get the hell out! I don't want to see you!"
"I'm not leaving!"
"Adam, are you out of your mind?"
"Yes, I am."
I was shaking now. Truly shaking with fury. "Adam, you said I'm materialistic. What about you? We were together for half a year in Cleveland, and you never once told me about your family."
"You wanted to test me, didn't you? Too bad I disappointed you."
"So why won't you just leave me alone? You think I'm a gold digger. That I'll go after your money. That my background's shit. That I'm beneath you."
"Someone like me—why do you give a damn? Is it because I left you five years ago? You can't handle that?"
"You want to get me back just so you can dump me this time? Make yourself feel better?"
I couldn't think of any other explanation. I'd seen the disgust in his eyes. But he kept showing up. Kept touching me. Kept saying things that messed with my head.
Adam's eyes widened. "That's what you think of me?"
"Maya, yeah—I hid who I was five years ago. I tested you. That's what I did."
"You're angry? Okay. I'm sorry. But this isn't revenge. That's not what this is."
"I don't care about your background. I don't care about any of that. I just know I want to be with you."