AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Nope, don’t panic, Maya. I’m coming over tonight and we’ll find something in your closet that’s perfect.”
I grinned at her, feeling better than I had all day.
"You're the best, Brielle. Thank you."
As I walked back to my own office, I felt a renewed sense of confidence. Brielle was right. I was amazing and I could knock this out of the park…I could handle Jack, and I could write a killer article about him for the magazine. I started to brainstorm some ideas and felt excited about the prospect of seeing him again.
Chapter 3
Maya
Thedayoftheinterview arrived, and I woke up feeling surprisingly calm. After my shower, I wiped the steam from the mirror and stared at my reflection for a minute. I was happy I’d sprung for some golden highlights in my otherwise boring medium brown hair a couple of weeks ago when I got it trimmed. It still looked glossy as it fell to my shoulder blades. I blow-dried it, which took forever and resulted in a sore arm because I had so much hair, and was pleased with how bouncy it looked. I threw my hairspray and a brush into the small bag I was going to take with me.
I went to my closet and pulled out the outfit Brielle and I had chosen a few days ago. In deference to the drive and the interview location, Brielle convinced me to wear a pair of curve-hugging black jeans. I paired them with a royal blue sweater and added my prized diamond stud earrings. They were the nicest thing I owned. I pulled out outfit number two, a cozy one, just in case. A girl always has to be ready.
Besides, the magazine sprung for the crew and me to stay in Crested Butte overnight just in case everything went late, so I had a small bag with some toiletries. I shoved everything into my large brown leather tote bag I hauled with me everywhere. It could fit my laptop, paper and pen, and my voice recorder, and now doubled as my overnight bag.
My hands were clammy on the steering wheel as I navigated the winding roads leading to Jack's cabin. Matt, the cameraman, and his assistant, Alex, rode separately, and I was thankful for the alone time. I couldn't shake the feeling of nervousness that had settled in my stomach since I had agreed to this assignment. Our history was still a sore spot in my mind, seeing as I had never truly moved on from the devastatingly handsome man that rocked my world; that oncewasmy world. Even with how callously he had treated me, I had never been able to forget the way he made me feel.
As I pulled up to the cabin, I took a deep breath and tried to steady my nerves, grateful that I at least wouldn’t be alone with Jack. Matt and Alex pulled up in their black SUV just behind mine.
I grabbed my long black puffy winter coat from the passenger seat and pulled it on. It was much colder up here than it had been in Denver and there was already snow on the ground. I was thankful I forewent any fancy footwear and wore warm and toasty snow boots.
Matt and Alex were pulling a few camera bags out of the back of the SUV when Jack stepped outside.
Everything went silent when I saw him. The world stood still, and I forgot how to breathe. How was it possible for him tostillhave this effect on me? A warm smile spread across his face and the hem of his thick coat inched up when he raised his hand to wave.
In my research, I found plenty of media photos from over the years. He always looked so chic and polished. Like he was untouchable. But right now, he wore slightly faded, worn jeans, and real boots that had seen many miles and a plain black coat. He could be just any guy in the area. Except, of course, he wasn't. At least to me.
His dark hair was just slightly curled and a little disheveled. He didn't appear to have done his hair with product, and he was about a week past needing a haircut.
In short, this was the Jack I spent long hot summer days hiking with and cold winter nights snuggled up with in bed, creating our own special heat. He was beautiful. He was perfect.
He was standing right in front of me. I hadn’t even noticed him walking toward me until I was hit with the full force of his eyes. They were a grayish blue, like storm clouds on a hazy, steamy summer afternoon.
Jack shoved his hands in his jeans pockets and rocked back on his heels, amusement in his eyes like a lightning bolt as he glanced down at my lip. Belatedly, I realized I was chewing on my lower lip. It was a sign that I was nervous, and Jack knew me better than anyone. Or he used to know me.
“Maya.” Oh God, his voice had no right to sound so sexy. Just the right amount of gravel and it sent a hot bolt of light straight to my core. “It’s good to see you again.”
He stretched his hand out toward me and I stared for a second before shoving my gloved hand in his, thankful it wasn’t skin-on-skin contact. I was certain that would send me up in flames right here on this snow-covered mountain.
"Hi, Jack.” My cheeks were heating as I tried to keep my tone neutral. "Thanks for agreeing to the interview."
"Of course," Jack said, an odd look flashing in his eyes before he glanced away from me at the sound of shoes on gravel. We got introductions out of the way with Matt and Alex before Jack led us into the cabin.
I wasn’t sure what I was expecting from a billionaire’s cabin. Jack had talked about this place when we were in college, and it had been in his family for a long time. But somehow the brightly lit space didn’t surprise me at all. It all felt like Jack.
It was more rustic than some of the mansion cabins in the area, but still beautiful and artfully crafted. It looked like it had been added on over the years. Modern, high-tech touches were everywhere, like solar panels.
The artwork on the walls was impressive. Jack had clearly been working on his collection. But some photographs looked local and captured the breathtaking scenery. I wanted to ask about them, but Jack was leading us to the kitchen.
"This is the heart of the cabin," he said, gesturing to the gleaming stainless steel appliances. "I've got everything you need to cook up a storm."
Not like you’d need to, I thought, shaking my head at the gleam of the appliances. The Jack I knew could only do the bare minimum in the kitchen that was necessary for survival, but maybe he had some new tricks up his sleeve.
Though I saw glimpses of old Jack, he was different. Too different, in some ways. Where the old him would have been bubbling with excitement while showing off something this expansive and precious to him, this Jack was so cool and collected that it was getting a bit terrifying.
The cabin was equipped with all the latest technology and modern conveniences, from the generator system that powered the cabin to the satellite TV and high-speed internet. The bedrooms were spacious and comfortable, with downy duvets and plush pillows. I couldn't help but feel impressed by the attention to detail and care that had gone into the cabin's design. Not that I hadn’t expected this; he had always been meticulous in planning.
