Chapter 46
Julian's POV:
I let go of Maya's wrist and turned to face my father. "Dad."
Maya straightened beside me. Smoothed her blazer. "Mr. Garrison."
"My office." His jaw tightened. "Now."
He turned. Walked away without waiting for a response.
I glanced at Maya. Her face had gone pale. Lips pressed into a thin line.
"It's fine," I said quietly. "Go back to your desk."
She nodded. Still wouldn't meet my eyes.
I followed Thomas down the hall.
---
Thomas's office door slammed shut behind me.
He stood by the floor-to-ceiling window. Hands clasped behind his back. Looking out at Boston's skyline.
The silence stretched.
I waited.
Finally, he turned.
"What the hell was that?"
I kept my expression neutral. "I was taking her to lunch."
"Don't bullshit me, Julian." His voice dropped. Low and dangerous. "You were holding her wrist. Pulling her. Like she's—" He stopped. Took a breath. "What's going on between you two?"
"I asked her to lunch. That's all."
"That's all?" Thomas walked toward his desk. Gripped the edge. "But you're acting like a lovesick teenager. Do you have any idea what you're risking?"
"Yes."
"Then why?" His voice rose. "If Adam Sterling sees you sniffing around Maya, we're done. The Austin deal? Gone. Everything we've worked for—"
"Maya isn't Sterling's girlfriend."
"She doesn't need to be!" Thomas slammed his palm on the desk. "Sterling's interested. That's enough. You stay the hell away from her, or—"
"I want to marry her."
The words came out before I could stop them.
Silence.
Thomas stared at me.
Like I'd lost my mind.
Then his face twisted.
"Marry her?" He walked around the desk. "You want to bring a single mother into this family? A woman with a bastard kid?"
My jaw clenched.
"Don't call Amy that."
"That's what she is, Julian." His voice turned ice cold. "And you? You're already walking on thin ice. You think I'm going to let you marry some secretary with baggage? Let you destroy what's left of this family's reputation?"
Heat flooded my chest. My hands curled into fists.
"Maya's not—"
"I don't give a fuck what you think she is." Thomas stepped closer. His face inches from mine. "Here's what I know: Adam Sterling wants her. Stay away from her. You understand me? Now, get out."
---
Maya's POV:
I spent the rest of the afternoon buried in contracts.
I forced myself to focus. Pushed everything else out of my mind.
By 5:45 PM, I'd finished.
I gathered the files. Stood. Walked down the hall to Julian's office.
His door was ajar.
I knocked.
"Come in."
I stepped inside. Closed the door behind me.
Julian sat behind his desk. Arms crossed. Face unreadable.
I set the files on his desk.
"All done. Summaries are on top of each contract."
He glanced at the files. Nodded.
Then stood.
Grabbed his keys from the desk.
"Let's go."
I blinked.
"What?"
"It's almost 6." He walked toward the door. "We'll take my car. Pick up Amy. Then grab dinner."
My heart started pounding.
"Julian, I don't think—"
"Maya." He stopped. Turned to face me. "I'm not asking."
His voice was calm. But firm.
I stared at him.
I didn't move.
He walked back. Stopped in front of me.
Close enough that I had to tilt my head back to meet his eyes.
"Julian." I forced myself to meet his gaze. "Did your father say something? Is that why you're—"
"This has nothing to do with him. You think I'm acting out of spite?"
"I think you got into a fight with Thomas. And now you're making rash decisions."
"This isn't rash." His voice stayed level. "I like you, Maya. I've liked you for a long time."
My chest tightened.
Oh God.
Oh no.
"Why now?" I managed.
He smiled. Bitter.
"Because of Adam Sterling."
My stomach dropped.
"That's—"
"I realized if I don't do something, I'm going to lose you to him."
I couldn't breathe.
"Dinner." He said again. "Tonight. You, me, and Amy. If we're going to be a family, I need to get to know your daughter."
I turned. Bolted out of his office.
---
I got in my car. Gripped the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turned white.
What the fuck just happened?
Julian had always been... professional. Friendly. Maybe a little protective.
But this?
He's lost his mind.
I thought about Cleveland. The times he'd been drunk.
I'd always assumed it was a mistake. That he was confused. Wasted.
But now?
He likes me.
I let out a shaky breath.
I started the engine.
Maybe I should quit.
Find a new job. Start over.
Get away from all of this.
Fuck.
I pulled out of the garage.
My mind raced the entire drive home.
I don't love Julian.
I respected him. Appreciated him. Felt grateful for everything he'd done.
But love?
No.
And you love Adam.
I gritted my teeth.
Stop it.
---
I pulled into my parking spot.
Grabbed my bag. Got out.
Started toward the building.
"Thinking about something?"
I jumped.
Spun around.
Adam stood beside his Aston Martin.
Arms crossed. Gray-green eyes locked on me.
Fuck.
"What are you—" I took a breath. "What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for you."
"Get lost." I turned away. Started walking.
He followed.
"Stop stalking me. It's creepy."
"Am I creepy, Maya? Or are you just scared?"
"Scared of what?"
"Me." His voice turned soft. Dangerous. "You're scared of how you feel when I'm around."
I glared at him. "You're delusional."
"Am I?" He reached out. Tried to grab my hand.
I pulled back. "Don't touch me."
"Why not?"
"Because—" I grabbed my keys tighter. "Because I said so."
He smiled. "You're cute when you're flustered."
"And you're annoying when you exist."
He laughed again.
"Go. Home."
"No."
I glared at him.
He stared back. Jaw set. Eyes determined.
Stubborn asshole.
I turned. Kept walking.
He followed me up the stairs.
---
By the time I reached my apartment door, Adam was still right behind me.
I pulled out my keys.
Unlocked the door.
Pushed it open.
"I'm home!"
"Mommy!" Amy's voice came from inside the apartment. Bright. Excited.
My heart stopped.
Oh no.
Oh shit.
I turned.
Adam stood frozen behind me. Eyes wide.
"What did she just call you?"
I swallowed hard. "Adam—"
Amy's footsteps pattered across the floor. Getting closer. "Mommy? Who are you talking to?"
Amy appeared in the doorway. "Uncle Adam?"