Maya turns to me with an even wider smile. “Congrats! I didn’t know you were dating again. It seems I’ve been misinformed about a few things since we last saw each other. I look forward to seeing you both at the wedding, then. In fact, Jonathan, I’d like to speak with you about a possible business opportunity.”
Holy fuck, is this happening? What was once an opportunity lost forever has now opened its doors to me again. Could my dream of a second chance be coming true? “I can call you later this week and bump calendars.”
She shakes her head. “I’ll be out of the country for a month. Overseas deal. It can’t wait. The reception really is my next available appointment.”
It’s not optimal, but I’ll make it work. “Then I’ll look forward to talking shop during the reception.”
“Fantastic.” Maya turns to smile at Kiera. “It was a pleasure meeting you. Enjoy your lunch.”
“Thanks. Lovely meeting you.”
With a nod, Maya leaves. In slow motion, I sink back to my seat in utter astonishment. When I lost the opportunity with Maya two years ago, I thought nothing like that would ever come around again. But today, everything has changed. A plan that seemed like a faraway dream might now become a reality.
“That’s the Maya you wanted to talk to at your ex’s wedding, right?” Kiera asks. “I put two and two together and…”
“Yes. It’s a fucking miracle.”
Maybe this time I can come out victorious, and I can finally put the past where it belongs—irrelevantly behind me.
“I take it Amber is your ex who’s getting married?”
“That’s her.”
“How does she know Maya?”
“They were friends in college. But it seems she’s logical enough not to let friendship dictate business after all.”
“So…looks like I’m your date for the wedding and our plan is official.”
“Absofuckinglutely.” That means it’s imperative we look and act like a couple in public. “Are you available Friday night?”
“Kami is visiting her family this weekend, so yes. Why?”
“You should come hang out with me.”
Kiera bites her lip as if she’s wondering whether I’m plotting to nail her that night. I wouldn’t be opposed, but now I’ve got other priorities, too.
“All right. Where should I meet you?”
“I’ll come pick you up. Tell me where you live.”
After exchanging numbers, she sends me the address to her apartment. “What should I wear?”
“A dress. Something you’d wear to a club.”
She wrinkles her nose but nods. “It’s a date.”
“It’s not. It’s an arrangement for our mutual convenience,” I counter.
“Right.” She pastes on a smile to cover her crestfallen expression.
“Listen, that’s not a bad thing. I’m not rejecting you; I’m stating a fact. We’re not together romantically, and you shouldn’t bring feelings other than your libido into this.”
I don’t want to hurt her, but being blunt is for the best. Kiera has to learn how not to pin her romantic hopes on a man, especially a losing proposition like me.
I just hate feeling kind of like a heel.
“You’re right.” She fakes a smile. “Old habits die hard.”