Chapter 44
Adam's POV:
The Fairmont Austin's lobby gleamed with polished marble and Texas-sized chandeliers. I stood near the conference room entrance, watching Julian Garrison walk in with his assistant.
Not Maya.
My eyebrows drew together before I could stop them.
James materialized at my shoulder. "Mr. Sterling, Ms. Bennett didn't come."
I turned my head slowly and shot him a look. "I noticed."
His mouth snapped shut.
Julian crossed the lobby. Professional smile plastered on. "Mr. Sterling."
I glanced at him. Gave a curt nod.
Turned and walked toward the conference room without waiting.
---
Two days ago, I'd flown straight from London to Austin. Twelve hours in the air. No rest.
Landed at Austin-Bergstrom at 11 PM. Meeting with city officials scheduled for 8 AM.
I turned my phone back on at the gate.
Saw Maya's message: Mr. Sterling, are you free tomorrow for lunch? My treat.
I stopped walking.
She was asking me to lunch.
"Book me a flight back to Boston," I told James. "Tonight."
He blinked. "Sir, the meeting tomorrow morning—"
"Cancel it."
"Why?"
"Maya asked me to lunch."
James stepped in front of me. Blocking my path.
"Sir, we can't cancel this meeting. You can have lunch with Ms. Bennett when you get back."
I kept walking. Pushed past him.
He followed. "Mr. Sterling, please. This project—we've been preparing for four weeks. The investors are already on their way. If we cancel now—"
I stopped. Turned around.
"Why did you schedule me to fly straight from London to Austin? No day in Boston first?"
James looked guilty. "I... I thought you'd want to close everything quickly. I'm sorry. Next time I'll check Ms. Bennett's schedule before booking anything."
"Don't talk to her about anything except work."
"Understood, sir."
So I stayed in Austin.
Did the meeting. Smiled. Shook hands. Signed papers.
Of course, I couldn't cancel Austin.
The meeting was too important. The tech park deal involved the mayor's office, the governor's economic development team, and three major investors.
---
I stared at my phone.
The "good morning" text I'd sent Maya yesterday still sat there. Unread. Unanswered.
Cold woman.
Should I send another message? Something casual? Ask if she's okay?
My thumb hovered over the keyboard.
Before I could decide, my phone buzzed.
Not Maya.
Claire Ashford.
I frowned at the screen.
Heard you're in Austin! I'm here too. You're at the Fairmont, right? Can we meet? Just for a minute?
I exhaled through my nose.
Typed back: I'm here. About to leave for a meeting.
Her response came immediately: Perfect! I'll wait in the lobby. Won't take long, I promise.
I shoved my phone into my pocket.
---
After the lunch meeting wrapped up, I headed for the hotel lobby.
Found Claire waiting near the entrance.
She smiled when she saw me.
I stopped a few feet away. Didn't return the smile.
"What do you need?"
Her smile faltered slightly. "I... I was hoping you could help me with something." She glanced down. Fidgeted with her purse strap. "I've been applying for jobs ever since I got back to the States, and... nothing. The market is brutal right now."
She looked up at me. Big eyes. Vulnerable expression.
"I was wondering if there might be an opening at Sterling Global. I know it's a lot to ask, but—"
"I'll have HR reach out to you."
Her face lit up. "Really? Adam, thank you so much. I really—"
"It's fine." I stepped past her. Headed for the car.
---
Maya's POV:
I pulled into our usual spot outside the apartment. Turned off the engine.
My phone buzzed.
I glanced at the screen. Julian's name.
Probably a work update. Maybe asking me to prepare something for tomorrow.
I unlocked my phone.
A photo loaded.
My breath caught.
Adam.
Standing outside a hotel. Talking to a woman.
I knew that woman.
Claire Ashford.
I'd seen her around Sterling Global. Always watching Adam with that soft, knowing smile.
In the photo, she was looking down. Head slightly tilted. Blushing.
And Adam was looking at her.
They looked... right together.
My chest ached. Sharp. Like a knife twisting.
Adam had told me he didn't care about Claire. That there was nothing between them.
But her body language told a different story.
The way she stood. The way she smiled.
That wasn't nothing.
I locked my phone. Shoved it into my coat pocket.
Sat there for a moment. Staring at the steering wheel.
You told him no.
You pushed him away.
This is what you wanted.
But knowing that didn't make it hurt less.
I got out of the car. Walked around to Amy's door. Unbuckled her seatbelt with hands that shook slightly.
She looked up at me. Studied my face with those too-perceptive eyes.
"Mommy? Are you okay?"
I forced a smile. Shook my head. "I'm fine, baby. Just tired."
I lifted her out. Set her on the pavement.
She immediately ran to the trunk. Grabbed one of the grocery bags before I could stop her.
"I can help!"
The bag was almost as big as she was. But she gripped it with both hands, determined.
We walked up to the apartment together.
Amy chattering about her day at daycare.
Me nodding. Smiling. Responding.
All while my phone burned a hole in my pocket.
---
That weekend, I buried myself in Amy.
Saturday morning, we went to the Museum of Fine Arts. Amy stood in front of a massive Monet painting, tilting her head this way and that.
"Why is everything blurry, Mommy?"
"It's called Impressionism. The artist wanted to capture a feeling, not just what things look like."
"Oh." She considered this. "I like it. It's like a dream."
On Sunday, we went to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. Amy wore her pirate hat, a Halloween costume from last year.
She laughed so hard she got the hiccups.
I laughed too.
For a few hours, I forgot about the photo.
Forgot about Adam and Claire standing together in the Austin sunlight.
Forgot about the way my heart had cracked when I saw it.
By Monday morning, I felt... functional.
Numb, maybe.
But functional.
---
Julian was back from Austin.
I knocked on his office door at 9 AM sharp. He looked up from his computer. Gestured me in.
"Maya. Good morning."
"Morning." I set a stack of contracts on his desk. "These need your signature. Vendor agreements for the Q4 rollout."
He picked up his pen. Started signing without reading them.
I watched. Waited.
He finished the last one. Closed the folder.
I reached for it.
"Maya."
I stopped. Looked up.
"Did you see the photo?"
My throat tightened.
I knew exactly what photo he meant.
"Yes."
"And?" His voice was careful. Neutral.
I straightened. Kept my face blank. "Adam Sterling's personal life isn't my concern. Who he's with is none of my business."
Julian studied me for a long moment.
"You're not upset?"
"No."
"Good." He leaned back in his chair. "Wait for me in the garage after work. I have something to give you."