While You Were Gone

Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

“Luka?” She darted over and looked around, panic building. “Luka, honey?” Her voice was rising. “Sweetheart, don’t hide now…”

The assistant came over, a concerned look on her face. “Is everything okay?”

Terrified now, Maia looked at her, her eyes wild. “My daughter…”

“Momma!”

Maia whirled around to see Luka jump out from behind a pillar, Zach grinning behind her. Maia’s heart began to slow, but now she was annoyed. “Don’t ever do that,” she said, glaring more at her husband than her daughter. She saw Luka’s face drop and hurriedly bent down to her height. “Sweetheart, it’s just I was worried.”

“Daddy said it would be fun.” Luka looked between her mother and father uncertainly.

“Don’t worry, sweetie, Momma’s just being silly. It was a prank, Maia, that’s all.”

Maia glared at Zach, her anger simmering. What the hell was wrong with him? Did he think he was funny? And what the hell was he doing here?

Biting her tongue, she returned to the cashier and paid for her shoes, and the family left to go home. Luka was subdued now, and Maia knew she had picked up on the tension between her parents.

To distract her daughter, Maia suggested they go to Rockefeller Center and see the tree there, and that seemed to work. Maia picked up her daughter and hugged her tightly, trying to hide how annoyed she was with Zach. She didn’t speak to him directly the entire time.

At home, Luka went to play in her room, and Maia and Zach went to change for the party that evening.

After a few moments of tense silence, Zach sighed. “Maia… come on. It was just a dumb prank.”

“Making me think I’d lost my daughter, Zach? That’s not a prank, it’s just… cruel. Why on earth…” Maia’s voice was rising. Was she being too hard on him? Had it really just been a thoughtless joke? “Don’t ever do it again.”

“Believe me, I won’t.” Zach muttered, stalking into the bathroom.

Great, Maia thought, still annoyed. Now we’ll have an entire evening of snarking and tension. She was still pissed—did Zach think an apology was beneath him?

She changed into her dress and did her makeup while Zach was in the shower, then went to find Luka. The little girl was laying in her book nook, reading one of her favorite stories. Not caring about her dress, Maia crawled inside with her and kissed her. “You okay, Nugget?”

Luka nodded, but Maia could see the wariness in her eyes. “Look, darling, it’s okay. Daddy just didn’t know I’d be so upset, but you know, it’s only because the thought of losing you, of never seeing you again, would break my heart, you know? I love you so, so much, Nugget, more than anything in this world. Don’t be sad. Sometimes people do things that they think might be funny, but really, they’re not. Daddy made a mistake is all. It’s okay.”

“Momma… are you and Daddy going to split up?”

“No! Gosh, Luka, no… sometimes people have arguments, but they don’t last. I love Daddy and he loves both of us. No biggie, okay?”

“No biggie?”

“No biggie.” Maia kissed Luka’s cute button nose. “Sarah will be here soon, and she called me earlier and told me she’s bringing some crafts for you two to do together. So, you can stay up a little later than normal, okay? For a treat.”

Luka’s eyes lit up. “Okay.”

When Maia crawled back out of the book nook, her heart felt eased. Zach was waiting for her, smiling. He helped her to her feet and drew her close. “I’m sorry, Maia. I was an idiot.”

He kissed her gently, and she felt the last of her anger slip away. “You’re forgiven.”

His kiss grew deeper. “I love you, Mrs. Konta.”

She chuckled. “Right back at you, Mr. Konta.”

They went back to their bedroom to finish dressing and to Maia’s surprise, Zach loved her sparkly Dorothy shoes. “That’ll show those stuck-up bitches. You look beautiful, darling.”

And for once, she felt beautiful. Maia checked her reflection one last time. Her caramel skin, inherited from her Indian mother and Creole father, glowed with the light makeup she had put on, and her long dark hair fell in soft waves down her back. The midnight-blue dress clung to her full breasts, flat stomach, and curvy hips. She wasn’t the tallest woman—only five-foot-four—but the heels gave her an extra inch or so next to Zach’s six feet. He was gloriously elegant in a dark blue suit, and he took her hand as they said goodbye to Luka and Sarah the sitter and went down to the waiting limousine.

Maia unconsciously straightened her spine as they walked into the party. Even though she knew these people well, she still felt like an outsider. She hadn’t been born into this world; she had married into it, and she suspected many of Zach’s contemporaries looked down at her. There was one woman, in particular, who repeatedly made it clear that Maia didn’t belong and never had. Tracey Golding-Hamm, a stick-thin blonde socialite, beautiful in a pinched, snooty way, had always harbored a crush on Zach and when he’d married the decidedly non-snooty Maia, Tracey hadn’t even attempted to hide her disdain. Maia wasn’t scared of her; she just hated being in the same room as the vicious blonde.

The couple throwing the party, however, were two people she did like and respect. Henry Klein was Zach’s college roommate and business partner, and his wife, Sakata, was a charity maven who actually did more than just throw parties for show. Sakata and Maia had hit it off immediately; as Sakata put it, they were the ‘Asian contingent’. Maia had laughed at her description and nodded. “We represent, all right.”

Sakata also had no time for the bitchier members of their circle, those men and women who looked down on Maia when she married Zach. “Girl, you have two college degrees, and you’re a major force at your publishing company. And you did it on your own. Those jerks have never had to try.”

Maia spotted Tracey making a beeline for her and Zach and excused herself. The mood she was in, she didn’t want anything to do with the vile b***h.

Coming to her rescue, Sakata bore Maia off as soon as they joined the party. “Come with me; I know where Henry’s hidden the good booze.”

She and Maia retreated to the kitchen and found a bottle of scotch. Sakata waved it triumphantly. “Henry will kill me but who cares? I have to put up with his crappy taste in wine.”

Sakata and Henry enjoyed a rambunctious relationship, forever play-fighting and fooling around. Henry was so easy going and Sakata so mischievous that they seemed incongruous in this world, but Maia wished her own husband was a little more like Henry, fun-loving and chilled out.

But then again… she told Sakata about Zach’s prank. “Am I overreacting?”

Sakata pulled a face. “No way. What a jerk move.”

Maia felt a little better. “Right? I wanted to kill him.”

“I would have certainly made sure I kneed him somewhere painful.”

Maia snorted with laughter. “Damn, never thought of that.”

Sakata speared an olive from a platter waiting to be taken into the party and popped it in her mouth. “Not like Zachary to play pranks.”

“I know. Maybe that’s why it shocked me.” Maia took a slug of scotch and grimaced. “Ugh.”

Sakata snorted. “Yup. Best to sip that one. How did Zach know you were in that store?”

“He said he was just passing and saw us.”

“Random.”

Maia nodded. She wasn’t sure if she believed Zach’s story either, but she had no reason to believe otherwise. He was hardly the type of person to keep tabs on her, but a small chill went up her spine anyway. Don’t be stupid… this is Zach we’re talking about—the man you love, the father of your child. You know him better than you know yourself.

She decided to change the subject. “So, who’s coming tonight? Apart from the Witch Queen of Angmar. I’ve already seen her.”

“The usual, both good and bad.” Sakata grinned. “Oh, and a few new people. A couple we met when we were in Jakarta for the conference, Julia and Gordon VanDusen. She’s lovely, but he’s… well, sweet but grabby so keep your eyes open and duck away when you can. And someone Henry’s trying to schmooze, Atom Harcourt.”

“Name rings a bell.”

“You’ve probably heard of his father, Alan Harcourt, the property magnate. Atom works for him.” Sakata lowered her voice. “He’s gorgeous, absolutely to die for, but very closed off and reserved. He brought a date but seems to be content to ignore her and drink on his own. I don’t think Henry’s going to get very far with him.”

Maia already felt a kinship with the newcomer. “I wish I had the balls to go hide out. No offense, but you know how much I hate parties.”

“No offense taken. For my work, it’s a necessary evil.” Sakata studied her. “Talking of work… I hear Eliza might be moving on.”

Maia flushed. No one was supposed to know about her impending promotion to editor-in-chief—not even Zach knew. But Sakata had spies in many camps. “Nothing is set in stone yet, so I’m not getting excited about it. I don’t want to jinx it.”

Sakata squeezed her arm. “It’s very well deserved, honey, but my lips are sealed, I promise.” She sighed. “Well, let’s go and rejoin the party. I’ll point out the hunk if he comes out of hiding.”

Maia was still giggling when they went back to find their husbands. Zach snaked an arm around Maia’s waist. “You look happy.”

“Always with you,” she said and kissed his cheek. He leaned his forehead against hers.

“Does this mean I’m forgiven?”

Maia smiled. “You’re forgiven… and when we get home tonight, I’ll show you just how forgiven you are.”

His eyebrows shot up and desire glowed in his eyes. “I’ll make you keep that promise, Maia Konta.”

To Maia’s relief, the party was a laid-back affair, and the more aloof people kept to themselves. Sakata introduced Maia to Julia and Gordon, and Maia was delighted to see a mischievous glint in Julia’s eyes. Gordon was a little boorish but friendly nonetheless, and Maia warmed to the new couple, inviting them for drinks after the holidays.

“I would love that,” Julia confided, leaning in conspiratorially. “Some of these women look—”

“—terrifying?” Maia grinned at her new friend and Julia laughed.

“Yup.”

Maia chatted easily with Julia while Zach and Gordon talked business and before they knew it, people were starting to leave. “Is it that late already?”

Maia looked around for Zach who had excused himself while she was occupied. “Excuse me, Julia.”

“Good to meet you! Call me after Christmas, promise?”

Maia kissed her cheek. “I promise.” She liked the other woman immensely. They chatted for a while, then Henry came to claim his wife to introduce her to some other people.

Maia turned and almost groaned out loud. Tracey was right next to her. “Hello, Maia.” She looked her up and down, smirking when she saw her red glittery shoes. “Are we going for Las Vegas Hooker-style? I had no idea this party was fancy dress.”

“Sure you did or you wouldn’t have come as a raging bitch.” Maia shot back. “You might want to mix up your costumes. That one’s getting pretty old.” She downed the last of her champagne, gave Tracey her most insincere smile and walked away. Yes. Got her. It was petty, but Goddamn, it was satisfying.

She wandered through the remaining people, trying to find her husband. When she couldn’t find him, she went out to the balcony for some air. It was bitterly cold, and she shivered but the fresh, sharp air cleared her head.

“Are you looking for someone?”

Maia whirled around at the sound of his voice. Behind her, a man stood up from one of the balcony chairs. He was tall, easily six-five, and broad-shouldered. His dark brown hair was all loose curls, his eyes a vivid green. Three days of dark scruff defined his utterly perfect face.

Maia was aware she was staring but she couldn’t help herself. He was the most beautiful man she had ever seen. He half-smiled at her scrutiny. “Believe me, this—” he pointed at his face, “—is a curse, not a blessing.”

His eyes were steady on hers, and he reached out and touched her cheek. “An exquisite woman like you must be taken.”

Maia swallowed hard and nodded. “I’m looking for my husband.”

The man smiled. “Husband. Just my luck.”

“Maia?”

She heard Zach’s voice behind her and rearranged her expression into a smile. “Hey, darling, I was looking for you. This is—” She turned but the beautiful man had disappeared. “A wonderful view.” She finished awkwardly, nodding to the view over Central Park.

“Nothing compared to what I’m looking at. Let’s go home, darling.”