Page 45 of Mistletoe & Mischief

“I made a mistake,” Nick continued, as the wind ripped between them, tossing Nick’s perfect hair. Somehow, this made it even more aesthetically pleasing, which didn’t seem fair.

“Did you know I have a sister?” Maya asked.

Nick flinched. He sipped his cappuccino as though he waited for the perfect response to fall into his mind. When it didn’t, he said, “That mansion must be really something. And Maya! Fifty million! Think of everything we can do with fifty million! Think of all the pasta we can eat in Rome! Think of the apartment we can buy in Manhattan!”

Maya’s throat closed up. She blinked at him, realizing that a part of her had hoped for this; she’d ached for him to realize he was making a mistake. To know that he’d thrown something good away too soon.

“And that’s not all,” Nick went on. “Remember my contact atThe Restaurantmagazine?”

Maya vaguely remembered Nick’s editor friend at the food magazine— a man with a greasy mustache and a belly that showed appreciation for decadent food. “I think so?”

“He said he’d hire you on the spot,” Nick said, smacking his thigh. “He always adored your food critic writing, and he couldn’t believe you were out of a job. I even showed him your blog, and he went gaga over it. Apparently, you reviewed a little bagel place on the Lower East Side that he’s obsessed with.”

Maya felt as though New York City was an imaginary place, as though she’d never been there her entire life.

“He said you could start in January,” Nick went on. “And he’s willing to pay even more thanFood & Drinkever did. How about that?”

Maya’s heart pounded. This was it: her dream to return to New York City, to food writing, and to Nick, her love. It was all right there, waiting for her. Why was she hesitant?

Suddenly, her phone buzzed in her purse. It felt like a lifeline, and she raced to answer it. “Hello?”

“Maya Waters? This is the Hollygrove Nursing Home.”

Maya’s heartbeat quickened. Her immediate fear was that Veronica had died, that she’d missed her chance at meeting the only family member who actually wanted something to do with her.

Instead, the woman on the line said, “I’m happy to report that your Aunt Veronica is back up and around this morning. She’s been asking about you. Do you have time to come by this afternoon to say hello?”

“Yes. I can be there right away.”

“Visiting hours aren’t till one,” the woman said.

“Thank you,” Maya stuttered. “See you soon.”

Maya hung up and gazed up at Nick. He was looking at her the way he looked at a perfect steak he’d just cooked, as though he was tremendously proud of what he’d done in the kitchen. She wasn’t sure she wanted to be his project anymore. Then again, the idea of refusing Nick’s love felt impossible. Her love for him was bludgeoned and bruised, but it was still there, hovering behind her heart.

“I have to go,” Maya said. “There’s a family emergency.”

Nick cocked his head. “I can come with you. Whatever it is, you shouldn’t do it alone. Let’s go.”

“No,” Maya insisted. “I have to go alone.”

Something like fear passed over Nick’s face. It had perhaps occurred to him that winning wouldn’t come so easily to him this time.

“Have dinner with me tonight,” Nick ordered. “There’s an okay-looking Italian place around the corner. We can, you know, talk. About everything.” He paused and looked meek for a moment. “I can explain myself better. Please, let me.”

Maya stuttered. She was caught completely off-guard. “All right,” she said, stepping away from him.

“Meet me at seven-thirty,” he instructed. “I’ll wait for you as long as I have to, Maya. I know you’re the one.”

ChapterTwenty

Maya pulled up outside the Hollygrove Nursing Home at twelve-forty-five and sat in stunned silence until visiting hours began. She tried to call Phoebe, but Phoebe was busy with a work meeting and didn’t answer. This meant Maya was left to stew alone.

Nick had tracked her down. Nick was still in love with her.

Her stomach throbbed as the realization took hold of her. Unfortunately, Nick’s return made more sense than anything else. Maya was potentially fifty million dollars richer than she’d been back in New York City. Nick was a man who dictated his life with wealth and fame. Now that Maya had both in spades, he wanted a piece of the action again.

Oh, that hurt her heart to think about. But it was true. She knew it in the belly of her soul.

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