It was Eve who broke the silence between them once they got on the road. “How did it go with the family?” she asked, glancing over at Lainey.
“The boys are happy for me,” Lainey told her. “Of course, they’re just happy that they get to act like big boys now and take care of themselves.”
“Good. And Jack?”
Lainey was silent for a long moment.
“That bad, huh?”
“He wasn’t happy about me getting a job in the first place.” Lainey sighed. “This just made it worse. He actually told me I wasn’t going to take it.”
“And yet you did,” Eve said ruefully. “I don’t mean to cause problems between the two of you, Lainey.”
“It’s not your fault,” Lainey said quickly. “We had - problems before this. Now he just has a way to make me feel guilty.”
“Why should you feel guilty?” Eve stopped at the red light and turned to Lainey. “Because of your children? They are more than welcome to come to the gallery to be with you if you have to work late, you know. That’s not a problem. I love kids.”
She saw the stunned look on Lainey’s face and sighed.
“That surprises you? I guess I should have known that you would have felt that way. I should have prepared for the assumption that because I’ve chosen not to get married that I don’t care for children.”
She started to drive in silence when the light turned green.
“I’m sorry, Eve.”
“No. Don’t be. I’m used to everyone feeling a certain way about me.”
“I’m not everyone.”
Eve glanced at Lainey, holding her gaze for a moment.
“No, you’re not,” she said in a low voice. Lainey felt a flush creep up her neck and was glad when Eve turned back to concentrate on the road.
“I would love for you to meet Kevin and Darren,” Lainey said. It was, she found, important that she made up for appearing to judge Eve. “They’re great boys.”
“I have no doubt they are. And I’d love to meet them. Jack, too.”
“Getting Jack to do anything with me is practically impossible anymore,” Lainey told her. “Knowing how he feels about me working, I don’t think he would be too enthusiastic about meeting you.”
She paused. It had been so long since she’d had anyone to talk to, and she felt so in tuned with Eve that she wanted to tell her everything.
“I haven’t had sex in over two months,” she said, blurting out the words and instantly regretting it.
“I can help you with that,” Eve said quietly, and now it was Lainey who was shocked. “I mean with Jack,” Eve went on, noting Lainey’s embarrassment. “I can help you with Jack.”
Before Lainey could respond, Eve pulled into a parking garage and stopped at the gate. The security officer came out of the small office and walked up to the car.
“Good morning, Ms. Sumptor,” he said and tipped his hat to both women. He was in his thirties with sand colored hair and a plump belly that he sucked in as soon as he saw Eve.
“Good morning, Pauly,” she said cheerfully. “How are you?”
“Better now that you’re here.”
Eve smiled a mind-boggling smile and winked at Pauly. “Hmm. And how are the wife and kids?” Pauly’s triumphant smile faltered and he blushed.
“Um, they’re good. Thank you.”
“Good. Have a wonderful day, Pauly,” Eve said and drove off into the parking garage, waving behind her.
“Does that come naturally?” Lainey asked with a giggle.
“What?” Eve responded with such an innocent look that Lainey couldn’t help but to laugh.
“Flirting,” she finally said.
“I wasn’t flirting. He was flirting with me,” Eve said with feigned indignation, and then smiled wickedly. “Men are funny. He sucks in his gut every time he sees me coming, and every time I ask him about his wife and kids, he lets it out. It amuses me.”
“What’s it like, having every man, and even women attracted to you?”
Eve pulled into the parking space and cut off the engine. She turned in her seat and fixed her eyes on Lainey’s. “Are you attracted to me, Lainey?” She said abruptly. The two looked at each other in silence for a long moment, until Eve looked away, and slipping out of the car, waited for Lainey to join her. Neither of them said a word as they walked together to the elevator. Eve hadn’t meant to ask that question and regretted it the moment it came out of her mouth. The best thing to do now, she thought, was just move on and forget it.
“You’re going to love the gallery,” Eve said stepping into the elevator and inserting a key to unlock the gallery floor. “It turned out much better than I imagined.”
“I can’t wait to see it.” Lainey was grateful to Eve this time for the change in subject. She had been so close to giving Eve a truthful answer to her question and that might have spelled disaster.
When the elevator doors opened and the gallery was revealed, Lainey forgot everything. It was spectacular. There was no other word for it. Eve walked into the gallery with her arms spread wide and turning in circles.
“What do you think?” she asked, circling back to Lainey.
“Amazing.”
And it was. The high ceilings and stark white walls were accented with bamboo wood floors. The entrance was a colossal space, with arch windows overlooking the crowded streets of artistic SoHo. The view in itself was a work of art.
Eve watched with interest as Lainey wandered around taking everything in. It was important to her what Lainey thought of the gallery. The realization intrigued and terrified her.
“Tell me what you see,” Eve demanded.
Lainey spun around to stare at her. “But I’m only your assistant. I don’t know if I have the vision...”
“And you won’t know unless you try,” Eve interrupted. “Don’t worry, I’ll have my input. But right now, I want to know what you see.”
Lainey hesitated but for only a second. “There’ll be sculptures and photographs as well as paintings, right?”
“I see you’ve done your homework,” Eve’s voice was amused.
“The sculptures will go here in the front room,” Lainey said eagerly. “Not too many, because we don’t want to overpower the simple beauty of the room itself.”
The gallery was “U” shaped, separated by a thick wall in the middle and Lainey started on the left.
“The paintings, starting with the most bold, like the Cézanne’s, will go here. The colors will catch people’s eyes, and draw them here. As they go further, the paintings will mellow. The Norman Rockwell’s will lead into the photographs. But, here,” she said gesturing towards the middle of the walkway, “can be another small sculpture. It will give the viewer a sense of variety.”
Lainey walked through the archway, Eve followed silently, intrigued.
“Color photos,” Lainey said quietly, almost to herself. “We should begin with the color photography here, and, of course, scattered sculptures. Not enough to obstruct the walkway, but enough to charm the clientele. And then,” she paused dramatically, “then we have the black and whites.”
Eve raised her eyebrow questionably.
“Black and whites are my favorites,” Lainey explained. “There’s so much depth and emotion, but they also make you use your imagination. My favorite medium.”
“Mine, too,” Eve said softly. “I would love to photograph you, Lainey.” She traced Lainey’s cheekbone with her fingertip.
The moment was shattered by the buzz of the intercom. Eve broke the contact and walked to the door leaving Lainey behind, shaken.
Lainey’s heart was racing as she watched Eve let the deliverymen in. She looked so calm, Lainey thought. As though nothing had just happened between them. Maybe it hadn’t. Maybe Lainey had imagined the whole thing. Eve was a photographer, and a flirt. It meant nothing. Calming herself, Lainey went to join Eve as she told the men where to place various pieces, including a bronze of three children playing baseball,
so real you could almost hear the crack of the bat.
Eve discovered that she was having difficulty concentrating on what she was doing. What in the hell had she been thinking? She hadn’t been thinking, that was the problem. She had let her emotions take control. Why? Eve Sumptor never let her emotions get in the way, or control her actions. The last thing she wanted to do was scare Lainey away, but if she kept this up, that’s exactly what was going to happen. It was time to raise the wall around her heart that she had so foolishly let slip.
“Local talent,” Eve explained to Lainey, all business now as burly, young men placed a chiseled stone figure of a nude woman by the alcove just where Lainey had suggested one should be placed. “I’ve decided to ‘give back to the community’ and give a few local artists some exposure during our grand opening.”
“When are we opening?” Lainey asked amazed at how calm her voice was, and hating the tension and distance she felt with Eve now.
“In less than a week. Want to rethink taking this position now?”
“No.” Lainey reached out to take Eve’s arm, forcing Eve to look at her. “No, Eve. I don’t want to rethink anything. And I don’t regret anything.”
“Good.” Eve’s amazing gray eyes darkened as they bore into Lainey’s. “Because I’m not letting you go.”
“Excuse me.” A young man interrupted them with a paper for Eve to sign.
“Yes? Do you need me to sign these?” she asked.
“Y-yes ma’am,” he stammered.
Eve took the clipboard from him, and signed her name in one fluid motion. Lainey watched, amused, as he flushed when she touched his arm. “There. Oh, and don’t call me ma’am.” Laughing, Eve hooked an arm in Lainey’s. “Come on, I’ll show you your office.”
They walked up the stairs together arm in arm. As they reached the top, Lainey found herself just as impressed with what she saw upstairs as she was with the gallery itself. The doors of the offices had wooden frames with opaque, frosted glass giving them a very classy look. For accent, they were finished with beautiful brass handles.
Eve guided Lainey to the half wall that overlooked the expansive area, and for a moment they stood together, looking down on the entire gallery. Lainey caught a glimpse of Eve and what she saw in her face took Lainey’s breath away. She could feel the pride and the love, peace and triumph coursing through Eve just by the deep breath Eve took and shivered with emotions herself.
“It’s mine,” Eve said in a low voice, almost as though she were talking to herself and then, becoming aware that Lainey was watching her, felt slightly embarrassed. Quickly gathering her thoughts, she smiled. “Let’s go see that office now.”
The moment Lainey walked in the door, she felt at home. It was such a strong feeling that it unnerved her.
“When I had this office decorated, I wasn’t doing it for anyone specific. See the soft colors, and the lines of the architecture? There’s a subtle sexuality here.” Eve paused, considered. “This office was made for you.”
And it was true. Eve had chosen muted colors and soft lines to accentuate the pewter carpet, which gave the room a full, rich look. The desk was big and modern, but very understated in a blonde oak. The sleek new, flat computer screen sat atop the desk, its only accessory besides a phone. Even the tan, leather chair looked as though it were made for Lainey, with its high back and delicate curves. Eve had also chosen a Monet to go on the wall behind the desk. Looking at it now, she knew she had made the right choice.
“You want to see mine?” She asked full of pride.
“Of course,” Lainey replied. At the door, she paused to look back. My office, Lainey thought with a grin. Mine.
At the other end of the Berber carpeted hall, they came to a stop at double doors in the same style as the door to Lainey’s office. “I’m narcissistic. I have to have everything bigger and better,” Eve said, leading Lainey into the spacious loft style space.
“Now this is you,” Lainey announced. The sexuality in this room was not as subtle as in Lainey’s office. Although the tone was still muted, and the carpet was the same color, Eve had accented the space with bold colors. The couch at the far end of the office was white, seemingly unobtrusive, until you factored in the electric blue throw pillows. The rest of the furniture was modern, contemporary, without a hint of the antiquity that will fill the gallery. Eve’s desk was made of frosted glass and steel, as fragile and yet as hard as the woman who would sit behind it. The chair was oversized, but not overpowering and had the soft curves of a beautiful woman, a woman like Eve. Lainey noted that Eve had had the Van Gogh brought over from the other building. It suited this office, or maybe this office suited the painting. Lainey was sure of one thing and that was this space, the furnishings, the city around them, screamed Eve Sumptor. She had felt it the moment she walked in. She turned back to the painting.
“It is,” Eve said, reading Lainey’s mind.
“It must’ve cost...” Lainey caught herself.
“A small fortune? Yes. But it’s worth it.”
“I’m sorry; it was none of my business.”
“It’s ok, Lainey,” Eve said quietly. “Feel free to ask me anything.”
The ringing of Eve’s cell phone broke the momentary silence. Taking out the phone, she walked to the huge bay window and sat on the sill. “Hello?”
“Hi.” The sound of Adam’s voice made Eve’s pulse jump.
“Hi yourself.”
“Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“No, not at all. What can I do for you?”
Lainey tried not to listen to Eve’s conversation, but she had heard how Eve’s voice dropped an octave to become a sensual whisper. She knew she had no right to be jealous, but she discovered that she hated the way Eve had smiled.
“Are you busy tonight?” Adam asked. Hearing Eve always excited him. She was beautiful, erotic and a spectacular lover, but to Adam, she was more. Although he had known since the beginning that Eve was not looking for a serious relationship or love, he had fallen in love with her the moment he saw her. But he had promised himself he would be patient, to wait for her to fall in love with him for he was sure she felt some of what he was feeling. But having to go home every night after being with her, not being allowed to wake up next to her in the morning to make love again was causing his patience to wear thin.
“I’m free tonight,” Eve answered, smiling. “Meet me at my place? We’ll order in.”
“No,” Adam said.
“No?” It was a word Eve rarely heard. She frowned.
“I want to cook for you,” Adam said.
“You want to what?” she said tentatively.
“Cook for you. No take out tonight.” Adam paused. Knowing he was taking a chance, he went on, “Let me stay tonight, Eve.”
Eve’s heart beat faster. God, she wanted so much to tell him yes. To stay with her, hold her. But she couldn’t open herself up like that and let him in so she said the only thing she could say.
“No.” She heard Adam’s sigh and closed her eyes. ‘I’m sorry,’ she mouthed, never saying it aloud.
Putting her phone away after making arrangements, Eve sat there quietly, her eyes still closed. She knew, had always known, that Adam wouldn’t wait forever. She had to think about that, and be prepared to lose him if she couldn’t open her heart to him.
“Are you all right?” Lainey came to sit next to Eve, taking Eve’s hand in hers. She felt the slight squeeze just as clearly as she felt the change take place in Eve. She’s closing herself off again, Lainey thought. Building those walls.
“Don’t,” Lainey said quietly, taking Eve’s chin in her hand. “Don’t close yourself off to me like that. Let me be there for you. Please.”
Eve stood up, bringing Lainey with her. “I’m starved,” she said. “Let’s order something to eat.” And when Lainey held her steady, she added, “Not now. Not yet. I know I can talk to you. I feel it here,” she said bringing Lainey’s hand to her heart. “Just give me a litt
le time. Now, about that food...”
They made a makeshift picnic on the floor of Eve’s office, spreading the food out in front of them on the thick carpet. There were containers of pasta and marinara sauce, two loaves of Italian bread and salad that could feed an army with at least four different dressings. Because it was early, they settled for iced tea instead of wine.
“You weren’t kidding when you said you were starved,” Lainey said, surveying the feast. “How do you stay so thin?”
“I work it off every night,” Eve replied with a sly grin. “I’m very - passionate about my workouts.”
“Every night?” Lainey raised her eyebrows. She saw Eve lift a shoulder and smile sheepishly. “God. I wish it was like that with Jack.”
“Why isn’t it?” Eve broke off a piece of bread and offering it to Lainey.
“I guess that’s what happens when you’ve been married for twelve years,” Lainey said in an amused voice, looking down at her breasts. “Things start to fall...literally.”
“Please, Lainey. You are an amazingly beautiful woman. If your husband can’t see that then he’s a fool.”
Lainey smiled, embarrassed. “You’re just being nice, I know, but it’s good for my ego to hear a stunning woman tell me that.”
“Hmm, honey, I never say things just to be nice. You’ll find that out about me soon enough. You shouldn’t hide your body, you know. Why don’t you shock your husband by doing something outrageous?”
“Oh! I couldn’t do that,” Lainey laughed. “He’s not the type that likes ‘surprises’.”
“Really?” Eve said and raised a brow. “So, if you were to walk in the room completely naked, he wouldn’t get - excited?”
Lainey chuckled. “If I walked into the room completely naked, Jack would think I’d gone insane and I wouldn’t blame him. Eve, I’m not twenty-three anymore, and I certainly didn’t look like you or have your body when I was.”
“First of all, honey, I’m not twenty-three,” Eve told her. “I’m twenty-seven. And as for your body and your looks, I’ve said it before; you are an amazingly beautiful woman. Show it. Like this.” Keeping her eyes level with Lainey’s, Eve unbuttoned the top three buttons of her shirt. Lainey’s pulse began to race.
Something About Eve (An Eve Sumptor Book 1) Page 3
