Chapter 7
Dressed in a T-shirt and shorts, Ian padded barefoot downstairs Saturday morning to his kitchen, pressed the button on his single-serve coffeemaker brewing system and went out to retrieve the newspaper.
Thanksgiving was still five days away, yet one of his neighbors had his lawn filled with boxes, strings of lights, large bows and a host of other Christmas decorations.
The sight made him think of Maya. By the time he came back to the kitchen, his coffee was ready.
He added sugar, sat at the bar and took a sip.
Her enthusiasm about Christmas brought a smile to his face, as did remembering their time in his home two nights ago.
The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to be with her.
He was even contemplating shopping for Christmas decorations and a tree.
Maybe she would help him decorate. His smile faded and he lowered the cup to the counter.
What the hell was he thinking making plans as if they were a real couple?
They weren’t. He’d never had a problem separating the physical from the emotional, but this time he was fighting hard to maintain his distance.
He shook his head, opened the paper and lifted the cup again.
His phone rang. He set the cup down, reached across the bar for the phone and checked the display.
“Morning, Mom,” he said after connecting.
“Good morning. Are you busy?”
Ian paused. “Ah, no,” he answered slowly. Any time his mother started the conversation with that question meant trouble.
“Oh, good. I’m getting a head count for Thanksgiving dinner and wanted to know if you might be bringing a lady friend. Chris mentioned you were seeing someone.”
He planned to strangle his brother on sight. Chris, of all people, knew the details of Ian and Maya’s relationship, one that did not include family dinners.
“Is she a nice girl?” his mother asked excitedly.
“No, wait, yes, but she’s not—” He searched his mind for the right words to explain his relationship with Maya.
It wasn’t like he could tell his mother the truth—that he and Maya were only having a sexual relationship.
Yet he felt the stirrings of something more.
No. He didn’t want anything more. Wouldn’t put his heart out there again. Then why couldn’t he stop wanting her?
“Ian!”
His mother’s annoyed voice snapped him out of his inner debate. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”
She sighed impatiently. “I asked whether you were bringing your lady friend.”
“No. It’s not that kind of relationship. So who’s coming?” he asked, hoping to distract her from further questions.
She rattled off a list of relatives and close friends. “Then what kind of relationship is it?”
Ian smothered a groan. “We’re just friends and I’m sure she’ll be spending the day with her family. I have to get going, Mom. There are a few drawings I need to go over.”
“You’re not getting any younger, Ian, and don’t you see how happy your brother is?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Mom, Shellie is a great woman and she’s perfect for Chris. I’m sure the perfect woman will come along sometime in the distant future. I just want to keep my focus on all the things going on at the office for now.”
“Well, that’s progress. Last time you said it would never happen. How are you coming with that big project?”
Did I just say that? “So far, so good, except there’s one business owner who doesn’t want to sell. Hopefully, she’ll come around soon.”
“Your father mentioned he’s planning to bring you in for the meeting in a couple of weeks. Well, if anyone can change her mind it’s you.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“I’ll see you next week, baby. Love you.”
“Love you, too, Mom.”
Ian disconnected, got his coffee and headed for the room he had set up as an office.
He took a seat at his drafting table, picked up the drawing he had started of the senior living complex and added more details.
Nowadays designs could be done almost exclusively on the computer, but he still preferred to draw his by hand first. Minutes later, his mind went back to Maya.
He tried to push the thoughts aside and focus on his task but gave up after several minutes.
He buried his head in his hands. She was getting to him.
He went to his bedroom for socks and tennis shoes, then headed for his small home gym.
He hoped the physical exertion would curb his desire for Maya.
After an hour, the only thing exhausted was his body.
Thoughts of Maya continued to dominate the space in his mind, but he was determined to ignore them.
Ian toyed with going out for a swim in the pool, but nixed the idea, since the temperatures had dropped by a good fifteen degrees over the last two days.
He spent the remainder of the day working in his office, stopping only to eat.
As he lay in bed that night, memories of making love to Maya and her lingering presence in his room surfaced and filled him with a longing he was helpless to fight.
Ian decided that tomorrow—distance be damned—he had to see her.
Sunday afternoon, the moment Maya opened the door and smiled at him, sensations he couldn’t describe swirled in the pit of his stomach. He had called her earlier and asked if he could come over.
“Hey,” Maya said. “Come on in. Let me get my purse and list, and then we can go.”
He followed her inside and closed the door behind him. “List? Exactly how much stuff do you plan to buy? You said you only needed a few items.” He had agreed to go shopping with her, which was a testament to how badly he wanted to see her. Ian only shopped out of necessity.
“I do, but I always make a list so I don’t forget anything,” she called over her shoulder.
What had he gotten himself into? She came back a moment later and he led her out to his car. Once en route, he asked, “Why are you shopping for Christmas decorations so early?”
“Actually, this is late for me.”
His eyes left the road briefly to glance at her incredulously.
She laughed. “I put up my decorations the day after Thanksgiving. December tends to be really busy with all the holiday parties, and if I don’t do it now, I may not get around to it. Hopefully, I can find everything in one store.”
Ian felt his eyes widen. “Do you typically find what you’re looking for in one spot?”
“Nope. Most times I end up at six or seven places.”
He swallowed hard and tried to keep the panic out of his voice. “You don’t plan on going to that many stores today, do you?”
“Of course not. I know most men would rather endure a root canal than go shopping, so I won’t torture you. Whatever I don’t find today, I’ll get tomorrow after I’m done baking.”
Thank goodness! “Okay. You mentioned being busier next month. Have you booked many events?” They only had a month left, and for some reason, knowing he might not see her much didn’t sit well with him.
“Yes. I have something every week through New Year’s. I also have two clients this week for Thanksgiving.”
“You’re working on Thanksgiving?”
“No. They’ll pick up the day before.”
“Do you make the desserts for your family, too?”
“Thankfully, no. My mother, aunt and grandmother take care of it. Every year, I have a hard time not jumping in to help. But one look from my grandmother sends me running. What about you? Do you have family here?”
“Yes. We all get together at my parents’ house. My mother and several aunts put out a feast. The guys are responsible for the cleanup.” He parked in the Cost Plus World Market lot, got out and came around to her side. They walked hand in hand to the store entrance.
“That’s a great idea,” she said, continuing the conversation. “I think I’ll mention it to my mom. She’ll love it.” Maya chuckled. “My dad, on the other hand, probably won’t.”
“My dad and uncles weren’t too keen on the idea, either.
..until the women threatened to go on strike.
Brought them right around.” They both laughed.
“Wow, there’s a lot of stuff in here.” Ian glanced around and saw everything from china and flatware to soaps and pillows.
He hadn’t a clue as to how she would be able to find what she needed.
..or how long he would have to be in the store.
Maya picked up a small basket and moved through the store like a woman with a purpose and seemed to know exactly where she was going.
She selected two silver baskets, a set of silver candles and blue candleholders.
As they walked toward the back, he noted a wall of wines and a variety of coffees, teas and food.
“Since we’re here, you should get some stuff to decorate your house,” Maya said.
Ian turned to face her. “I don’t know.”
“Oh, come on. Don’t be such a party pooper,” she teased. “You can’t tell me being in this store hasn’t put you into the holiday spirit.”
“Are you coming to help me decorate?” He couldn’t tell who was more surprised as the words left his mouth.
“Um...sure, if you want me to.”
They stood in awkward silence for a few moments. “There are a couple of angel ornaments over there.” He gestured and quickly walked over to an ornament display and picked up a set of two gold glitter angels with a gem head.
She joined him and smiled. “I bought similar ones last year. I have a glass one and a set of three silver-plated ones. Among several others.”
He shook his head and continued to follow her around as she shopped. Before he knew it, they had gone back for a cart and filled it with decorations for his house. By the time they returned to her house, Ian was more confused than ever about his feelings.
“You can just put those bags by the fireplace with the boxes,” Maya said, entering her condo.
He placed the bags where she indicated and came back to help remove her jacket.
She took it from him and draped it over the back of a chair. “Do you want something to drink?”