Lie of My Life

20 Chicago

I chuckled, putting away my things I hadn't even used.

"You can cease with the schmoozing now, Mr. Jordan," I told him in a friendly tone. "If your terms are as fair as you've stated, I have no reason to think I won't agree to your deal."

His grin broadened at that.

"As happy as I am to hear that, Miss Rollins, my invitation to dinner was not borne of business intent."

He smirked and raised a brow. Oh.

"I'm flattered, Mr. Jordan," I told him.

"Please, call me Max."

"Max. That's very kind of you but I'm actually- um, I'm sort of coming off of a bad breakup so-"

"Say no more," he said, holding up his hands in understanding, the picture of the perfect gentleman.

So why wasn't I interested? I should be interested.

He held open the door for me as I made my way through to the other side.

"I look forward to meeting with you again, Miss Rollins," he said kindly and I smiled at him before heading back down the long marble hallway to the elevators on the other side, wondering why exactly I'd said no to a date with that gorgeous man.

It was too soon. Or so I told myself. I was still getting over Carter. Even though I questioned in my heart, even now, whether I would ever truly be over him.

***

I spent two weeks in Chicago.

Once the lawyers that Emma and Mindy had hired had taken a look at the contracts, negotiations had begun. The rates changed but only infinitesimally. I was told we'd won some battles but I couldn't tell what we'd gained from it. I didn't truly care. I'd already made up my mind that I was going to take this deal. I just needed my lawyers to get me the best one they could.

We were in our final meeting now. Me and my lawyers from Nashville who had flown out to be here for the signing and Max, his boss, a few executives, and their lawyers as well. The attorneys were arguing over some last minute addendum as I stated out at the Chicago skyline and let these men I was paying an obscene amount of money fight my battles for me.

When it finally seemed like they were making some headway and the disagreement was coming to a close, I turned back around to see Max Jordan watching me, a faint, amused smile on his face. I couldn't help but smile back, caught in my inattention.

I was grateful to Max for one thing. He'd made the two weeks in Chicago entertaining at least. He'd insisted he showed me around the city himself and had done so, from deep dish pizza to Sears Tower. And it had been fun. I'd hardly had the time to think about Carter. And yet, I had.

While eating pizza, while standing on top of that beautiful tower, even while strolling through the park, Max pointing out historical landmarks and art.

So far, he had done as I'd requested and refrained from texting me or calling me. At first, I'd felt disappointed as if part of me had wanted him to miss me so badly he would disobey direct orders. But then I started to realize it was for the best. As much as it hurt to admit, I'd been right. Time and space. That's what we needed. That was the only way for a broken heart to heal.

"Miss Rollins?" Someone was saying and I looked up to find Max's boss holding out a pen. I looked back to my lawyers and they nodded. Then I looked up to Max and he gave me an encouraging smile. That was all I needed. I grabbed the pen and signed my name and that was that.

I don't think I really felt how momentous of a moment that had been. But the others were celebrating, clapping each other on the back for a job well done, and I smiled along with them until they began to depart. I gathered my things and moved to leave as well. I was halfway down the hall when someone called out behind me.

"Ava!"

I turned to see Max jogging my way. I waited for him to approach and smiled at him when he did.

"Listen," he said, "I have to say that the last two weeks have been so much fun. It's been amazing to show someone my version of Chicago and, I know I asked you this before and got shot down but you're worth risking another rejection for so, Ava, would you like to have dinner with me before your flight?"

I couldn't help but smile at the man who'd been nothing short of friendly and respectful for the entire two weeks I'd known him. He hadn't made a single bad pun or inappropriate sexual reference and that should be the sort of man I was ready for. But it just wasn't what I wanted.

"Max," I said and I watched his face fall at my tone. "You're an amazing man. And some girl is going to be unbelievably lucky to find you. But it's not me."

I leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek and he beamed at me.

"Thank you for showing me around the city," I said. "And for being a friend here. I won't forget."

With that, I turned and made my way down the thirty eight floors to a cab parked outside the building with my suitcase already packed inside, waiting to take me to the airport for the earlier flight I'd managed to snag, waiting to take me home.