Page 29 of Tuxedos and Tinsel
For the remainder of the week Ian divided his time between keeping up with his workload and researching a workable solution to the condo project. He searched websites for similar projects, trying to come up with something that would satisfy all parties, but he was unsuccessful. He also hadn’t made any headway with Maya. She hadn’t returned any of his calls since he walked out of her shop. He wanted to talk to her, touch her and hold her in his arms. He missed kissing her and yes, making love with her. As a result, he was frustrated, horny and miserable.
Ian leaned against the door frame of his living room staring at the Christmas tree and thinking about Maya’s shop. It was small, but very functional and she had maximized her space. With her warm personality, she had created an inviting space. The architect in him could already visualize ways to expand the area to include a few tables and maybe a coffee and tea bar that would encourage customers to sit and enjoy her delectable pastries. She was also correct about it being located in the perfect spot. The combination of residential homes and commercial buildings, along with accessibility to the main highway, gave her a built-in clientele. It was one of the deciding factors when they chose that spot to house the condo project. Ensuring that the project went through would go a long way in boosting Ian’s career. But advancing his career at the expense of hers was something he could not do. When he saw her that first night, the only thing on his mind had been the sex. He never planned on wanting her so completely. Never imagined falling in love. But he had. And he knew she loved him, too. He couldn’t lose her.
Pushing off the wall, he headed to his home office. He was in for another long night, but Christmas was two weeks away and he was determined to spend it with Maya. Three hours later, still no closer to an answer, he stumbled from his office and fell across his bed fully clothed.
When he arrived at work the next morning, Ian needed a double shot of caffeine to get his mind working. He deposited his laptop bag and blueprints on his desk and headed directly down the hall to the coffee room. Fifteen minutes and one cup later, the haze around his brain began to clear. While he was searching the internet, an article caught his attention. He clicked on the link and started reading. His eyes moved rapidly across the screen. A smile curved his mouth and he hit the intercom.
“Yes, Mr. Brooks,” his assistant answered.
“Ms. Smith, can you please set up an emergency meeting with all the investors on the Sutton Park condo project for Monday morning at eleven. Include my dad and Chris. When you’re done, I need your help.”
“I’ll be in as soon as everything is set.”
“Thank you.” He hit the off button and rolled up his sleeves. He had a lot of work ahead of him but was confident he could pull it off.
Chris cornered Ian when he entered the conference room Monday morning. “What’s going on?”
“Take a seat and you’ll find out in a minute.”
Chris eyed him skeptically, but Ian merely smiled and gestured for Chris to take a seat. He took a quick glance at the wall clock and called the meeting to order. “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for agreeing to meet on such short notice. I know you are all anxious to know why I called the meeting, so let’s get started.”
He waited a moment for his secretary to pass out the information packets, then turned on the projector. “There has been some concern about the one holdout on the Sutton Park project, and I believe I’ve come up with a way that will satisfy both parties. Your vision for this property is one of elegance and comfort. I’d like to addconvenience. How many times have you forgotten something at the store and had to drive miles to get it?” Several people nodded. “What about going to the dry cleaner’s?” He nodded at his secretary, who passed around plates holding a mini cinnamon roll and truffle. Ian smiled at the expressions of delight on each person’s face as they all bit into the tasty treats. “And what if you were able to get these pastries and desserts every day?”
“Why, this truffle tastes like the ones I get from Maya’s Sweet Spot,” Mr. Capshaw said. “Ms. Brooks makes the best desserts around.”
“I’m glad you feel that way, Mr. Capshaw. I’m not sure you knew this, but Maya’s Sweet Spot was our holdout.”
Mr. Capshaw’s eyes widened.
Now that he had their attention, Ian flipped through the screens showing the redesigned property that included a minimarket, a dry cleaner’s and a bakery. “Just think what it would mean to have Maya’s breakfast goodies available within minutes of waking up.” He continued citing the advantages, and by the time he finished, the group voted unanimously in favor of the new design.
Ian had scaled one hurdle, but the most important one was yet to come. The text he had been waiting for came an hour later. He walked down the hall to his father’s office. “Dad, I need to leave for the rest of the afternoon.”
“I’m proud of you, son. I wasn’t sure you could pull it off, but you were brilliant. Going to celebrate?” he asked with a chuckle.
“Not quite. I have a more personal matter.”
His father’s brow lifted. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with Ms. Brooks, would it?”
Ian grinned. “Yes, it would. And if I’m lucky, Mom just might get that second daughter she’s been campaigning for,” he added with a wink. He sauntered out, leaving his dad with his mouth hanging open.
Maya kept checking her phone all weekend hoping Ian would call. She loved him and missed him. But by Monday, she had given up all hope that the relationship could be salvaged. She had not heard anything from his company, either, and resigned herself to the fact that she would, most likely, end up having to rebuild her business again somewhere else. There was no way she could win the fight. And with economic times being the way they were, she would be lucky to survive the upheaval. Maya locked the shop and went home. She parked in her spot, started up the walkway and stopped short.
“What in the world?” She approached the mounds of white covering the grass in front of her door. Not believing her eyes, she bent and touched it just to be sure. “Snow.”
“You said the only thing missing from Christmas was snow. I took a chance that it wouldn’t melt before you got home in this sixty-degree weather.”
She turned to face Ian. “I can’t believe... How did you...”
Ian slowly walked toward her. “I had it brought down from the mountains. I’d bring you the mountain if I could.”
“I love you,” she blurted.
He stopped. “What did you say?”
Her heart raced with excitement and she felt like screaming it to the heavens. “I love you.”
He closed the remaining distance, hauled her into his arms and crushed his mouth against hers. She didn’t care that they were standing on the sidewalk, only that he was here.
