Page 28 of Tuxedos and Tinsel
“I don’t know what to believe right now.” His declaration of love still resonated with her, but she wasn’t sure if she could trust his words.
“On another note, you were right. He is definitely chiseled chocolate. His brother is just as fine. Do you know if he’s single?”
She skewered Rhonda with a look.
“Okay, okay. Now’s not the time. What are you going to do about Ian?”
“Nothing. We’re done.”
“Come on, Maya. Don’t judge him too harshly. Like I said, I think he really cares about you. At the very least, give him a chance to explain.” She shrugged. “You never know, he might be willing to help you.”
“I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” she mumbled.
Rhonda gave Maya’s hand an assuring squeeze and stood. “Things will work out. I’m going home. Call me if you need me.”
Maya slowly came to her feet. “I’ll be fine.” She saw her friend to the door, then trudged down the hall to her bedroom. She should have stuck to her decision after that first night. Now, not only was everything she’d worked so hard to build in jeopardy, but she had also gotten her heart broken...again.
She moved around her shop the next morning in a haze. Sleepless nights and 4:00 a.m. days didn’t go well together. She had ruined one batch of dough already, which put her behind schedule, and she tried to focus so as not to mess up the batch currently in front of her. After getting the cinnamon rolls in the oven, she made the custard for the fruit tarts and cupcakes for an elementary school class party that would be picked up later that morning.
“Morning, Ms. Brooks.”
Maya stifled a groan. She had forgotten that the part-time culinary student she’d hired started today. “Hi, Phoebe.” Twenty-two years old and barely five feet, Phoebe possessed a lively personality and enthusiasm for baking that had won Maya over immediately. Before Maya could say anything else, the young woman pulled a chef’s jacket, hair net and toque from a tote bag. Maybe this was a good thing.
“What do you want me to do? I’m so excited about working with you. You make the most amazing chocolates.”
She smiled. “Follow me.” She put Phoebe to work and went out front to start filling the display cases. By the time she opened at seven, Maya was so impressed by the young woman that she considered hiring her permanently. That is, if she still had a place for her to work. Shaking off that negative thought, she put a smile on her face and greeted the first customers.
“Girl, it’s busy in here today,” Rhonda whispered two hours later as she passed Maya on the way to the register.
Maya was grateful for her customers and enjoyed every moment of the sweat and tears she poured into Maya’s Sweet Spot. The thought of it all going away caused a deep pain in her soul and she had to force down the emotions that threatened to rise again.
“Maya.”
She whirled around. “What are you doing here?” she whispered. Ian stood on the other side of the counter wearing a navy suit, looking as good as he had the night they first met. Her traitorous body reacted to his nearness almost immediately.
“I had to make sure you were okay.”
Maya wanted nothing more than to jump over the counter and into his arms. Determined not to let him see how much he affected her, she said, “I’m fine.”
“That makes one of us,” he murmured before glancing around the shop. “I see your decorating skills extend beyond your home. It’s very festive and warm. I like the angel on the counter.”
Ian moved closer to the counter and she instinctively moved back. Even with the display case between them, she could still feel his heat.
“I need to talk to you.”
“I’m really busy.”
“Baby, I just need five minutes. There are only three people in here right now and I’m sure Ms. Davis can handle things. Please,” he added when she hesitated.
She peeked over her shoulder and found Rhonda viewing the exchange with mild amusement. “We can talk in my office.” She led him back to her office, closed the door and waited for him to speak.
He came and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I know you think I engineered some kind of plan to seduce you into selling your building, but I didn’t. I would never knowingly try to destroy your career. And, sweetheart, nothing about what we shared was fake. It’s the most real thing in my life. I don’t want what we have to end, Maya. I meant what I said yesterday and I’m going to keep saying it until you believe me. I love you. I love you more than anything and I promise I won’t let you lose your dream, even if I have to build you another shop myself.” He placed a small gift bag that she hadn’t noticed he was carrying on her desk. “I know you have to get back to work. I’ll see you later.” He brushed his lips across hers and exited, closing the door softly behind him.
She wrapped her arms around her midsection and took several deep breaths to slow her heart rate. Even though she was still hurt, Ian had a way of getting to her. Turning slightly, Maya lifted the bag and took out a wrapped box. She carefully removed the paper and opened the plain brown box. Her breath caught. Inside was a carved wooden box with Maya’s Sweet Spot engraved on the front. The moment she lifted the lid, her favorite Christmas song, “Silent Night”—not the typical windup music box version, but the version by The Temptations—began to play. She couldn’t stop the tears from falling. He remembered. How was she going to let him go?
By the end of the week, Maya was beyond exhausted. She placed her purse and tote on the coffee table and collapsed on the sofa to open the package that had been left for her at the complex office. She hadn’t ordered anything and didn’t see a return address. She pulled out the attached note card and read:An angel for my angel. Something to add to your collection. Puzzled, she tore off the gift wrap and opened the box. “Oh, my,” she whispered in awe. She couldn’t believe it. Ian had sent her a Swarovski crystal angel ornament. She carefully removed it and placed it on her tree. The crystal caught the light and burst into a kaleidoscope of color. It was absolutely beautiful. She went back to the note.His angel. Her heart leaped. She hadn’t seen or spoken to Ian since he walked out of her shop three days ago with his words of love and a promise to help her. Maya’s gaze strayed back to the ornament again. She still wanted him...and loved him with every fiber of her being. She prayed the rest would work itself out.
Chapter 10
