Page 106 of A Million Times, Yes
Maya:See you soon.
While Maya stood at the stovetop, mixing whatever was cooking in the pan, I wrapped my hands around her stomach, pressed my front against her back, and dipped my face into her neck. “Mmm.Hi.”
Her hands went on top of mine, her body relaxing as I held her. “I thought I heard you come in.”
“God, you taste fucking good.” My lips were on the peak of her collarbone and raised to the center of her neck, the taste just as good there, and when I went higher to the base of her ear, the flavor there was the same. “I missed you today.”
Her exhale was a tiny moan. “I couldn’t wait to get over here.”
“Even knowing I wasn’t going to be home?”
She rubbed my arms. “I smell you whenever I walk in—even if you’re not here. And that scent brings me comfort even if I don’t need it.”
I pressed my lips to her cheek. “I want it to always do that for you.”
She leaned her head back against my chest, and I lifted one of my arms, holding underneath her chin. “Why do I sense you had a long day at the office?”
I sighed. “Clover bullshit. Endless decisions. Once I make my way through the bulk of them, dozens more pop up. I’ll get there, but it’s going to take a lot of work.”
“Tell me what I can do. How I can help. How I can be here for you.”
I pressed my nose into her shoulder and inhaled her lime-and-green-apple scent. “Everything you’re doing is more than enough.”
“But I can help. I have so much more time on my hands now that I don’t have to work doubles.” She slowly turned around and rested her arms on my shoulders. “Not having to financially support my mom changes almost everything in my life, Jordan. It’s like for once, I’m able to relax and actually spend time with her that doesn’t involve going through her bills and discussing money and worrying about how I’m going to cover what she can’t. Because even when she had a job, she didn’t make enough to pay all her expenses. And now ...” While she paused, the emotion began to trickle through her eyes. “She can pay for everything on her own and can even tuck some money away intoa savings account.” Her head dropped. “You know she never had a savings account before.” When she lifted her face again, the emotion thickened. “You have no idea what this job has done for her and what it’s done for me.” She scanned my eyes. “And Mom’s happy. I’m talking really, really happy.”
“Baby ...” I gently kissed her. “You know I want what’s best for the both of you. Whether that’s Worthington Enterprises or elsewhere, I just need you to be able to enjoy your mom and not feel the burden of financially supporting her.”
She slowly bobbed her head. “I can’t believe that’s finally happened. After all these years.”
“I’ve checked on her a few times, and according to HR, she’s doing great. I’m sure things will be even better when the buildout is near completion and she can move into her office on-site rather than coming into corporate every day.”
“Jordan, thank—”
I kissed her again, stopping the next word from coming out of her mouth, and when I pulled back, I held her cheeks. “No more thanking me. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you, and that includes your mom too. Just like there isn’t anything you wouldn’t do for my family.” I smiled. “Like going on a date with Grandma and being in the midst of planning your next outing with her.”
“Stop it.” She laughed. “As weird as this may sound, Bettie is turning into one of my closest friends—my time with her is out of want, never need.”
I kissed the center of her nose. “I love that about you.” As I continued to hold her face, I took a deep inhale. “Whatever it is that you’re cooking smells fucking amazing.”
“Smell-wise, I agree. But taste-wise, that’s up in the air. I’ve never made this before. It could be inedible, for all I know.”
I hadn’t bothered to look inside any of the pots the entire time I’d been standing there; my only focus was Maya. But as I looked at the stovetop, I realized one of the pans was a wok, and after a quickinventory of the contents she was sautéing along with the dishes and sauces on the counter, my gaze returned to her. “Did you make Thai?”
She nibbled on her lip. “Yes, for the first time ever.”
“Maya, did you really make my favorite?” I held her tighter.
“Fresh spring rolls, pad Thai, papaya salad, and mango sticky rice for dessert. I followed the instructions to a T. But I feel like this is the kind of meal that gets better with experience, so maybe by the third or fourth time I make it, we can brag about how good it is. In the meantime, every bite is questionable.”
I pressed her cheeks with my thumbs. “You could have had it delivered. But you didn’t. You put in the time and effort because you know how much I love it.”
“You fill the entire first floor of your condo with flowers, and I cook you Thai food.” She shrugged. “My little things. Maybe they’ll add up to a big thing one day.”
“It’s not little.” I shook my head. “No one has ever cooked for me before. You know, aside from family.” I held my lips above hers. “I don’t care what it tastes like. I’m going to love every bite.”
“And we get to eat it among the jungle of white flowers in your dining room.”
I tilted her head back and kissed the center of her throat. “And when we’re done, I’m going to lay you across those flowers and eat every inch of your body.”
