“That's the most Maya answer I've ever heard.”
The next morning, exactly at ten, a black sedan stopped outside Maya's apartment.
She looked through the window.
A driver stepped out.
Then Mason.
He wore a dark navy suit.
No tie.
His eyes lifted toward her building.
Maya's stomach tightened.
Her phone rang.
“Mason?”
“Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
She looked at her reflection.
Simple navy dress.
Small earrings.
Hair pinned back.
She looked like herself.
Mason had the appearance of a man who belonged on the cover of a business magazine.
They were absurd together.
She walked downstairs.
Mason opened the car door.
“You look beautiful.”
Maya froze.
“That sounded rehearsed.”
“It wasn't.”
“Good.”
She got inside.
Mason followed.
The interior smelled faintly of leather and cedar.
Maya looked at him.
“So.”
“So.”
“Rules.”
“I'm listening.”
“No calling me sweetheart in front of my mother.”
“Fine.”
“No kissing unless necessary.”
“Define necessary.”
She looked at him.
“There will be no necessary.”
Mason smiled.
“Understood.”
“No intimidating anyone.”
“That depends on whether they deserve intimidation.”
“Mason.”
“I'll behave.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
The car pulled away.
Maya looked out the window.
“Do you know anything about my family?”
“I had your cousin's wedding invitation sent to me.”
She turned sharply.
“You did what?”
“I needed the details.”
“You got the invitation?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“Your aunt posted a photograph of it publicly.”
Maya slowly relaxed.
“Oh.”
“You have a large family.”
“Too large.”
“Your cousin's name is Lauren.”
“Yes.”
“Her fiancé is Michael.”
“Yes.”
“Your aunt Judith is Lauren's mother.”
“Yes.”
“Your mother is Patricia.”
“Yes.”
“You have an uncle named Robert.”
“Yes.”
“And an older cousin named Evan.”
Maya stared at him.
“How much research did you do?”
“Enough.”
“That was not an answer.”
Mason looked out the window.
“I like to be prepared.”
Maya shook her head.
“You're strange.”
“So I've been told.”
Then his phone rang.
His expression changed.
The warmth disappeared.
He answered.
“Yes.”
A pause.
“No.”
Another pause.
“Move the shipment.”
Maya looked away, pretending not to listen.
Mason's voice became colder.
“Tonight.”
Pause.
“If they resist, tell them I will handle it personally.”
He hung up.
Maya stared at the passing buildings.
“What kind of shipment?”
“Business.”
“That sounded like a threat.”
“It was.”
She looked at him.
Mason didn't smile.
Then he noticed her expression.
“You asked me not to lie.”
“I did.”
“So I didn't.”
Maya didn't know what to say.
The wedding venue came into view.
A grand hotel overlooking the water.
Cars lined the entrance.
Guests in formal clothes moved beneath umbrellas.
Maya's heart began racing.
“This is where you tell me you're having second thoughts,” Mason said.
She looked at him.
“Are you?”
“No.”
“Then neither am I.”
He stepped out and offered his hand.
Maya took it.
Together they walked toward the hotel.
Her family saw them almost immediately.
Aunt Judith's mouth opened.
Her mother covered her own surprise with both hands.
Tessa, standing near the entrance, nearly dropped her phone.
Maya smiled.
“Everyone, this is Mason.”
Mason extended his hand.
“It's a pleasure.”
Judith looked him up and down.
Then smiled.
“Maya never told us you were...”
She hesitated.
“Successful?”
Mason answered politely.
“Something like that.”
Judith laughed.
“Well, darling, where did you meet?”
Maya opened her mouth.
Mason answered first.
“At her workplace.”
Judith looked delighted.
“And you've been together how long?”
Maya prepared to lie.
Mason squeezed her hand.
“Long enough to know she's the most stubborn woman I've ever met.”
Everyone laughed.
Maya stared at him.
He leaned closer.
“Was that okay?”
She whispered.
“Unfortunately.”
He smiled.
And for one dangerous second, Maya forgot that they were pretending.
The Family Dinner
The rehearsal dinner was supposed to be simple.
It wasn't.
Nothing involving Aunt Judith was simple.
The moment everyone sat down, Judith began asking questions.
“What does your family do, Mason?”
“Business.”
“Which business?”
“Several.”
“What kind?”
“Logistics, finance, security, real estate.”
Judith's eyes widened.
“Oh.”
Uncle Robert leaned forward.
“Security?”
“Yes.”
“Private security?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting.”
Maya sensed trouble.
Robert had always been the family member who believed money was a measure of intelligence.
He owned a small construction company and spent half his time comparing his income to everyone else's.
“So,” Robert said, “you must make good money.”
Mason took a sip of water.
“I do well.”
Robert laughed.
“Modest.”
Maya kicked him lightly under the table.
Mason didn't react.
Then Evan joined in.
“What's your net worth?”
Maya nearly choked.
“Evan!”
“What? I'm curious.”
Mason looked at him.
“Enough.”
Judith laughed.
“I like him.”
Maya whispered, “Why?”
“Because he's mysterious.”
“No. He's terrifying.”
Mason heard her.
“I can hear you.”
“Good.”
Everyone laughed.
The atmosphere relaxed.
For a while.
Then Judith said something Maya had been dreading.
“So, Maya, when are you two getting married?”
Maya froze.
“We just started dating.”
“Then you're serious.”
“We're—”
Mason interrupted gently.
“Very.”
Maya looked at him.
His expression was calm.
Convincing.
Perfect.
Judith smiled.
“I knew it.”
Maya's mother squeezed her arm.
“You look happy.”
That hit harder than expected.
Maya looked at her mother.
She didn't know what to say.