Chapter 12
Those words cut through Camden like a knife.
That day, he called his assistant.
“Find Maya. Whatever it costs.”
Meanwhile, in the restoration lab at the British Museum.
Sarah knocked on the open door frame, smiling. “Maya, you need to take a break. You’ve been hunched over that piece for six hours straight.”
Maya looked up and blinked her tired eyes, her expression soft. “Almost done, just a few final touches.”
Sarah shook her head with fond exasperation, closed the door, and left her to work in peace.
All the museum staff adored this American restorer who’d joined them from New York. She was quiet, professional, and had an almost supernatural patience with the most delicate artifacts.
When Maya finally emerged from the restoration lab, Sarah handed her a brown envelope. “Oh, that American girl Grace stopped by earlier. Said it’s a birthday gift from her and her brother.”
Maya paused–she’d completely forgotten today was her birthday. Opening the envelope, she found an exquisite
restoration knife inside.
“Bloody hell, that’s not cheap. The Mitchell siblings really look after you,” Sarah said with a grin.
Maya smiled warmly. “Yeah, she’s been incredible.”
The Grace that Sarah mentioned was Grace Mitchell, Maya’s college roommate who now worked at Sotheby’s London.
Ever since they’d bumped into each other at the museum six months ago, this bubbly girl had basically bulldozed her way into Maya’s carefully quiet new life in London.
Weekly coffee dates in Covent Garden, gallery opening invitations, even showing up at her flat with takeaway when he had the flu.
As for Grace’s brother, he was some hotshot venture capitalist who’d moved to London a few years back.
Maya pictured him in her mind.
About six–two, with these intense dark eyes, expensive everything, and this whole “don’t even think about approaching me” vibe.
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1 Ghosted Him and He Lost Everything Looking for Me
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Chapter 12
She barely knew James Mitchell–their interactions were limited to polite nods and awkward small talk when he picked Grace up,
But somehow this guy she hardly knew had been just as protective of her as Grace since she’d arrived in London, still raw from her divorce,
Walking out of the museum at closing time, Maya spotted Grace waving enthusiastically from across Great Russell
Street.
Maya was genuinely surprised–she’d figured the gift delivery was it for today.
When she got closer, Grace threw her arms around her.“Happy birthday, babe!”
“Thank you.”
Grace looped their arms together, practically bouncing. “James is waiting in the car. We’ve got plans for you tonight.‘
Plans?
Maya’s eyes widened with curiosity,
Grace leaned in conspiratorially, “You’ll see soon enough.”
In the car, James glanced back from the driver’s seat. “Happy birthday, Maya.”
As they pulled away from the curb, Maya bit her lip. “You guys really didn’t have to-”
Grace cut her off. “Nope, not happening. Tonight you’re ours. Dinner first, then back to your place for presents.”
They stopped outside a cozy American diner in Notting Hill. The owner greeted the Mitchell siblings like family.
Her eyes lingered on Maya with knowing amusement.
Grace whispered, “James found this place just for you. Proper American comfort food–he remembered you saying you missed it.”
The food arrived quickly; perfect mac and cheese, buttermilk fried chicken, apple pie–all the comfort foods Maya had been craving since moving to London.
Maya tasted each dish, and the familiar flavors made her chest tight with emotion.
“Good?” James asked quietly,
Maya nodded, not trusting her voice,
She thought about her last birthday, when Camden had been “conveniently” out of town and sent a generic text at midnight.
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Chapter 12
And here were these siblings she’d known for barely half a year, who’d remembered her homesick rambling about American food and had somehow made it happen.
Maya ate every bite, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude.
After dinner, James drove them to a tree–lined street in South Kensington.
“Um, where are we?” Maya looked between them. “I thought we were going back to mine?”
Grace grinned, finally dropping the mystery.
“Surprise! This is your new place. James found it–proper windows, actual central heating, and you won’t be living in that depressing bedsit anymore.”
Maya stared at James in shock. Her current basement flat in Zone 3 was basically uninhabitable, but she’d never complained. How had he even noticed?
And when the hell had he been flat hunting for her?
“Want to see it?” James asked, catching her eye briefly before looking away.
“I… yeah, okay.”
Grace practically dragged Maya up the front steps while James followed with keys.
Opening the front door revealed a fully furnished one–bedroom that looked like something out of Elle Decor.
Maya turned to James, overwhelmed. “This must cost a fortune. I can’t afford South Ken rent-”
“The landlord’s a mate of mine. Same rent as your current place. Most of this stuff was just sitting in storage anyway.”
Grace snorted. “Liar. You spent weeks at John Lewis picking out everything, and don’t even get me started on-”
A sharp look from James shut her up.
She stuck her tongue out at him. Maya understood perfectly and turned to James with genuine emotion. “Thank you. Really. This is… incredible.”
That night, the Mitchell siblings stayed until nearly midnight, helping her settle in.
Before bed, her phone buzzed with a text from James.
[Tate Modern tomorrow? If you’re free.]
[I’d love that.]
[Pick you up at 2?]
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Chapter 12
[Perfect.]
[Sleep well, Maya.]
Just a simple exchange, but it made her smile for the first time in months.
She remembered a line from some rom–com Grace had made her watch.
James was like kindness in a Savile Row suit.
All sharp edges and careful distance, but underneath–pure softness.
Meanwhile, back in the States, Camden had finally gotten hold of Maya’s travel records.
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