Page 119 of A Million Times, Yes
I traced the spot on her arm I had just kissed. “Maybe she went to our game. Our guys were playing there last week.”
“I doubt it. She would have asked for tickets. She knows I’d murder her if she paid for them herself.”
“Why don’t you reach out to her, and I’ll get in touch with Gavin, and we’ll see if we can coordinate things. Unless he’s traveling for work—which I don’t think he is—it’ll be no problem for him.”
“Before you ask him, let me check with her first. Her schedule is not nearly as flexible as his. Actually, I can ask her right now.” She reached for the ledge, where her phone sat right next to my beer. She pulled up her texts, and there was a message from Emily at the top.
She held it so both of us could see it.
Emily:Hiiiii. So I know you’re in New York (yes, I’m stalking your location because that’s what besties do), but we need to talk ... I have something to tell you.
Maya:Omg, I was just going to text you. Want to come to New York this weekend? With Gavin and Ben—assuming they can come—and stay at Jordan’s condo and have all the fun with us?
Emily:Ah . . .
Maya:Em?
Emily:We really need to talk first. Can I call you?
Maya:We’re in the bathtub.I’ll call you once we get out and you can fill me in on everything.
Emily:Put your phone down and go enjoy naked time. Silly girl. XO
She returned her cell to the ledge and cuddled back into my chest. “What do you think she’s going to tell me?”
“Who knows.” I chuckled.
She probably thought I was chuckling because when it came to Emily, there was no telling what could be up—anything was possible. But really it was because I had a decent suspicion of what Emily wanted to talk to Maya about.
If I was right, I was going to let Emily drop that bomb.
“I thought my mom would be reaching out, that’s why I brought my phone into the bathroom. Well, and I’m waiting to hear back from Carrie. She’s following up with the attorney to make sure all the paperwork was processed for our foundation.”
My body immediately stiffened. “Hold on. The paperwork hasn’t been processed? I thought Carrie took care of that weeks ago.”
“No, it has and she did, but Carrie and I made some tweaks after she submitted everything to the attorney, so she’s following up on version two.”
The thought that Carrie had dropped the ball on something as important as the foundation I was establishing with Maya had made my blood pressure spike, but it started to settle back down.
Maya and I had merged our passions, and we were developing a foundation that would provide after-school care for low-income children—a safe place for them to go, where sports and different arts would be available. Once we waded through the legalities, which was taking longer than we’d anticipated, we would hire the staff who would spend time with these children, and purchase a building where it would all take place.
Something we were both so incredibly excited about and proud of.
She kissed the bottom of my chin. “Don’t worry, everything should be all wrapped up within a few weeks.”
“Good.” I relaxed even more. “Now, why haven’t you heard from your mom?”
“I don’t know. I texted her a couple of hours ago while we were at the game, but she must have gone to bed early. Worthington Enterprises is wearing her ass out and making her one tired lady.”
“One tired and very successful lady.”
“I’d say you have no idea how happy that makes me ... but you do know.”
I pressed my lips against her head and breathed her in.
“I went to her new on-site office the other day and brought her lunch,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it—she had a few plants and some art on the walls and a framed photo of us. She’s never been one to decorate anything. Her spaces have always been a sea of white walls and bare corners. Yet there I was, in a five-by-seven wrapped in gold metal, right next to her computer.”
“Your reason for being in that frame goes a lot deeper than a decoration.” I continued to exhale against her head. “She’s showing these prospective tenants who she is and what she’s gone through. Remember, you’re a huge part of that.”
