CHAPTER SEVENTEEN The Honeymoon Version
Andre came home on a Tuesday evening.Not to stay.He texted first, then arrived with Damon to collect the
rest of his clothes, some books, and two boxes of architectural models he had kept in the spare room.
Maya stood near the kitchen while the brothers moved through the townhouse.Damon hugged her before leaving with the first load.
"I love both of you," he said quietly. "I don't know what's going to happen, but don't let pride make decisions for you.
"Maya nodded, unable to trust her voice.When she and Andre were alone, he looked around the living room.
"You moved the chair."Maya glanced at the reading chair by the window.
"I couldn't look at the empty spot where your shoes used to be.
"Andre's face tightened."Maya.""I know."He rested both hands on the back of the sofa.
"Have you seen him?"She could have lied.She was done lying.
"Once. Coffee."Andre closed his eyes."Did anything happen?
""No.""Do you want something to happen?"Maya's silence lasted too long.Andre nodded.
"Okay.""I don't know what I'm doing.""Yes, you do.
You just don't like what it costs."Maya stepped closer.
"What if I'm making the biggest mistake of my life?
""Then it will be your mistake.""How can you say that?
""Because I can't make you stay with me.
And I won't beg you to choose me over a man who already had you once and hurt you.
"Tears filled her eyes."I wish I could split myself in half.
"Andre's expression broke."I don't. I want all of the woman I love.
"He picked up the last box."Andre -""I got offered the Seattle project.
"Maya stared. "The waterfront redevelopment?
"He had mentioned it months earlier, a major project that would require him to relocate for at least a year.
"They want me as design lead. And the firm offered me partnership if I go.
""You're moving?""I'm thinking about it.
"Panic shot through her."When?""Six weeks.
"Maya's mouth went dry."You can't just move.
"Andre looked at her with tired disbelief.
"Maya, what exactly are you asking me to stay for?
" She had no answer that was fair.He carried the box to the door.
"I hope you find what you're looking for," he said.
After he left, Maya sat on the stairs until dark.
The next day, Jalen asked her to dinner.She said yes.What followed felt, for a while, like proof.Jalen took her to a quiet restaurant in Hollywood where the lights were low and nobody hurried them.
He asked about her work, her mother, the dreams she had abandoned and the ones she still wanted.
He apologized again, this time without being prompted.
He told her he had never stopped measuring other women against the way Maya used to challenge him.
"Nobody ever called me on my mess like you did," he said.
"Maybe because nobody else was foolish enough to stay through it.
""Maybe because nobody else loved me that much.
"Maya looked away.After dinner they walked to her car.Jalen stopped beside it.
"I'm not going to kiss you unless you ask me to.
"Her pulse jumped."That's a strange thing to say.
""It's an honest thing to say."Maya looked at him.The city moved around them.
Cars passed. Someone laughed across the street.
A valet ran by carrying keys. Jalen did not touch her.Maya thought of Andre packing boxes.She thought of seventeen years of unanswered questions.She thought of the girl she had been and the woman she was trying to become.Then she whispered, "Kiss me.
"Jalen did.For one breathless moment, memory and present matched perfectly.Maya mistook that feeling for destiny.