She’d gone to the Javits Center because she couldn’t wait to find out how the test went. She wasn’t prepared for utter exhaustion on two legs to stumble out of the building. He didn’t appear much different than anyone else who’d taken the exam. Adam had stumbled in a little while ago. By the crash that accompanied his movements, she was confident he was in the same shape as Jacob. Whoever created The Walking Dead was obviously a former law student.
Seeing him like this concerned her. She wanted to see him home safe into bed. Well, he was home safe and in bed. Snoring, actually. Why was she still here?
She ran her hands through his hair, which had grown a little long on top. She kind of liked the tousled look. It was silky against her skin. He’d probably cut it all off before he started his new job…she shook her head. Denial. That was the way to go. She wouldn’t think about his job. Not now.
He’d been good to her when she was hurt. Better than she could have possibly imagined.
I mean, seriously, who else has a boyfriend in the middle of finals who camps out on her floor?
Now it was her turn to repay the favor. This didn’t come close to what he’d done for her, but it was a start. Leaning over, she placed a whisper-soft kiss on his lips and left the room. In the living room, she found paper and a pen and wrote him a note:
Get some rest, and call me when you wake up. I love you.
Aviva
Outside, she debated whether to hail a cab or take the PATH train. Cabs still made her nervous, but the PATH would be scorching at this time of year and day. So she held up her hand and flagged a cab. As she climbed in, she took a last look at Jacob’s building.
He was one step closer to his dream. Now if only his dream and hers could mesh.
****
Aviva’s hands shook as she fastened the clasp of her formal cocktail dress. A pale sage with sequins and beads, it oozed class and sophistication, in spite of not being black. Strapping on three-inch silver sandals, she grabbed her silver clutch and a gossamer shawl, and scrutinized herself.
Her hair was slicked back with a small rhinestone barrette. Her makeup was subtle. She gazed up and down at her reflection and let out a breath. Pretty good. Now she hoped Jacob wasn’t late.
She checked her watch and turned out the bedroom light.
Erica was in the living room. “Girl, you look fab!”
“Thank you.”
“Turn around.”
Aviva spun in a slow circle. Erica let out a low whistle. “Jacob will be all over you.”
She shook her head. “He can’t. I’m working the gala.”
“You’ve been working the gala all day. It’s time you had a chance to enjoy it.”
Aviva massaged her lower back. She sat on the edge of the sofa trying to not wrinkle the fabric. Erica was right. Today had been brutal. She’d been at her office this morning at seven, putting the finishing touches on the last minute details. As soon as they were allowed into the science center to set up, she followed the caterer and Lacey around, making sure their set-up matched her plans. The lighting had been triple checked, as had the music. She’d returned to her apartment with enough time to shower and change. There was nothing left to be done. The gala would either be a failure or a success. Tonight, if she could put her nerves aside, she might actually be able to enjoy the evening.
“I hope so.”
The doorbell rang. Erica motioned for her to stay where she was. “I want to see his reaction.” She winked.
Jacob entered the living room. He stopped short. His eyes widened. He opened his mouth. His lips moved, but no sound came out. Clearing his throat, he tried again. “You look…stunning.” He took her hand, helping her rise from the sofa, and spun her around.
Apparently both he and Erica wanted to turn her into a spinning top. Or maybe the twirling ballerina inside the music box, except no music played. Aviva shook her head. She was obviously exhausted if she was having random conversations inside her head.
“Thank you.” She resisted the urge to pull every shred of clothing off him. There was something about a man in a tux that made her mouth water. Jacob in a tux, well, she would have to walk with a feed bucket hanging around her neck to catch the drool. His broad shoulders looked broader. His flat stomach looked flatter. His debonair look made her want to swoon.
“You look amazing.”
He ushered her toward the door. “Are you ready?”
“I hope so.”
“Relax, it will be wonderful.” He squeezed her shoulders then opened the door.
Downstairs, they took a cab to the Liberty Science Center. The line of cars to drop off guests at the museum was long. It took approximately ten minutes for them to be able to exit the cab. With a last adjustment of her skirt, she took Jacob’s elbow.
Inside the main entrance, she paused. The entryway was light and airy, with mobiles hanging from the ceiling. Signs and displays directed patrons to various scientific galleries. With large windows and high ceilings, voices echoed throughout the hall, making it seem more crowded than it actually was at this time of night.
“Ready?” Jacob took her hand.
With a nod, she gripped his hand, her stomach trembling. They proceeded to the Governors Hall. She stopped at the entrance.
It was perfect. Colored lights bathed the room in muted reds and gold. Spotlights highlighted the statues of Apollo and Hippocrates. Tables were arranged with tablecloths, flowers, and tea lights. Soft music played from the quartet hidden to the side. In the darkness, the windows acted like mirrors, reflecting images from inside the vast room.
Guests milled about. Aviva spotted many she recognized. Meryl and Russell stood on the other side of the room. She turned to Jacob. “Come on, let me introduce you to my boss and our client.”
They maneuvered through people and wait staff, grabbed a glass of white wine and a Pilsner glass of beer. Finally they reached Meryl and Russell.
“Aviva, we were just talking about you.” Meryl smiled. She looked with interest at Jacob as Aviva stepped forward.
“Hello, Meryl, Russell. May I introduce my boyfriend, Jacob Black? Jacob, this is Meryl Kreptke and Russell Newton.”
Everyone shook hands, and she tried to breathe. It wasn’t quite as nerve wracking as introducing one’s boyfriend to one’s parents for the first time, but it was close. Added to the stress of the situation—a client event where Meryl had to make sure everything succeeded—Aviva didn’t think anyone would show to their best advantage. But Meryl’s smile was genuine. Russell wore a warm look on his face. Aviva exhaled.
“Ah, the famous Jacob,” Meryl gushed. “I wondered when I’d get to meet you!”
“Nice to meet you, Meryl. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Only believe it if it’s good.”
Jacob laughed. He pulled Aviva closer.
“Jacob, a pleasure,” said Russell. “It’s been wonderful working with Aviva.” He looked around the room. “She and Meryl pulled off quite an event.”
“I know they worked very hard on it,” Jacob said.
Aviva was struck by Jacob’s graciousness in including Meryl in his statement.
“They did. I’ve enjoyed getting to know her better,” he said. “Have you two tried the hors d’oeuvres?”
“No, we just arrived,” Aviva said.
“Well, go on, taste what you chose,” Russell said.
Aviva turned to Meryl. “Is there anything you need me to do first?”
Meryl shook her head. “No, the cocktail hour runs itself. Russell will handle dinner and the presentations.” She turned to Russell. “Is there anything you need from us?”
He shook his head. “No, as long as you’re here to deal with any emergencies that might come up, you’re free to enjoy yourselves.”
“You heard him,” Meryl said. “Go enjoy yourselves.”
Jacob turned to her. “Shall we?”
“All right, we’ll see you both later.” Aviva took his arm. They walked to one end
of the room where they had a view of the entire venue.
As they helped themselves to hors d’oeuvres offered by passing wait staff, Jacob turned to her. “You’re the loveliest woman in this room.”
Aviva hastened to swallow her stuffed mushroom before she choked on it. Washing it down with a swallow of wine, she turned to Jacob. “Thank you.”
“Is it wrong I want to kiss you?”
She looked at her feet to hide the blush she knew spread across her face. “No, but we’re a little exposed.”
“I can fix that.” He pulled her into a corner adjacent to the main entrance of the room. With an overhanging soffit and shadows cast from the lighting, the area was less exposed than their previous location. He pulled her to him, but she pushed against his chest. “You can’t kiss me here either,” she said.
“Why not?”
“Because someone will see!”
“See you kissing your boyfriend? I can see how it would be a problem.” He placed gentle kisses across her forehead.
Aviva blinked. Her body leaned toward him, as if it staged a silent mutiny.
“But this is a work event. I need to be professional.” Despite her vocal protests, she tilted her head allowing him better access to her neck.
“You can do both,” he murmured as he trailed kisses to her collarbone.
With a whimper, she gave in, wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his. He felt good, so solid and safe. Their lips met. All sound gave way to a rushing noise in her ears and the pounding of her heart. His hands skimmed her ribcage, lowered to her waist and cupped her buttocks. She wanted him.
Clasping her against him, he maneuvered so they were deeper into the shadows, with her hidden from view. Smiling into his lips, she slipped her hands beneath his jacket and stroked his back. His heart pounded as if in her chest.
“Okay, we need to stop now.” He tore his mouth away and took deep breaths.
She started to pull away, but he held her in front of him. “If you don’t mind, I need a moment.”
Aviva snickered. “Must be pretty embarrassing to be a man.”
“You have no idea.”
She let her gaze travel up and down his body as she licked her lips.
“You’re not helping,” he growled.
With her hand on his chest, she widened her eyes. “Oh, was I supposed to help?”
“Witch.”
She laughed, rested her forehead on his shoulder. A few minutes later, she felt him take a deep breath. “Better now?”
“Yes, thanks.”
“You know, if I’d known we were going to hide out and kiss, I’d have taken you to all my favorite spots,” she said.
“You have favorite kissing spots? Here? How many times have you been here? I’m not sure I like that.”
“Quite a few, actually, both as a visitor and for my job. I also have a favorite kissing partner.”
He folded his arms across his chest. His forehead creased into a frown. He was cute when he tried to look foreboding. “Oh?”
“Mm hmm.”
“And who would that be?” He raised one eyebrow, reminding Aviva of a pirate.
She squashed the laugh as it bubbled up. “Oh dear, I really need to mingle with the guests.”
He grabbed her elbow before she could get away. “Oh no you don’t. Meryl and Russell both said you were free until the meal.” He lightened his grip, but continued to maintain pressure.
She stared at his hand on her skin, before looking out over the room. “I know, but I see people walking in whom I really do have to greet. You’ll be okay on your own, won’t you?”
She moved toward the group who’d entered.
“We’re not done, you know.”
Turning to look at him over her shoulder, she grinned. “Oh, I know.” With a wink, she continued on her way. Catching up with the couple that entered the Governors Hall, she chatted with them about her client’s medical research.
“This is beautiful,” the woman said. “Superb job.”
Her husband nodded. A flush of pleasure warmed Aviva’s cheeks. After a sufficient amount of time, she moved on to a group of five people, colleagues of Russell.
“You must be the woman responsible for all of this,” one of the men said.
“Meryl and I are, yes. We worked with some amazing people on this.”
“Modesty. That’s refreshing,” another man said.
“I admire this room,” a third said. “If the fund-raising is even half as impressive as the venue, you will have my admiration for life.”
Aviva thanked them before making her exit. Twenty minutes later, after mingling with more than half of the guests, she found Jacob near the bar, and made her way toward him, shaking hands, accepting a glass of wine and smiling at everyone. It was another five minutes before she finally reached him. She still glowed from all the praise she’d received. She couldn’t wait to share it with Jacob.
He spoke with a tall, older gentleman with gray hair. Jacob placed an arm around her shoulders as she approached. “Avs, let me introduce you to John Smith, founder and hiring partner of Smith Kane. John, this is my girlfriend, Aviva Shulman. She’s the one responsible for tonight’s event.”
Aviva held out her hand. John’s hand was strong and hard. She felt each bone and ligament working to grasp hers. She looked into warm brown eyes overshadowed by bushy white eyebrows.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Aviva. You’ve pulled off a remarkable event. I look forward to experiencing the rest of it.”
“Thank you. I hope you enjoy yourself.”
“I already am. I just talked to Jacob about ways to deal with the adjustment to a large law firm such as ours.”
“Really?” She tipped her head, wondering what advice he’d given.
“Well, especially during those first five years, the hours are taxing. He’ll need to adapt to little sleep and lots of pressure. Of course, it helps to have a girlfriend as successful as you.” He spread his arms around to encompass the room. “You’ll understand the pressures he faces, as I’m sure you faced similar ones in order to pull off such a successful event.”
Aviva felt a chill. She wondered if the air-conditioning suddenly kicked down a few degrees more. She nodded and rubbed her arms. They were cold to the touch.
“Of course, you’ll have to get used to not seeing each other often, although I know many of the first years arrange to meet their girlfriends and boyfriends for lunch or dinner at their desks.”
Jacob’s arm tightened around her, but she felt no warmth.
“Despite those negatives, your learning experience can’t be beat. You’ll get to work on some of the most nationally recognized cases, meet some of the world’s most prominent attorneys and judges, and mingle with some of the most successful businessmen and women, as well as society’s elite.”
“It sounds impressive,” Jacob said.
“What would you think of working on cases for the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division?”
Jacob’s ribs contracted against her side as he inhaled. His hand gripped her shoulder. “That would be amazing.”
John’s eyes gleamed. They reminded her of a hawk eyeing his prey. “We’ve got one case there now with two more headed there soon. The attorneys on those cases are some of the most renowned in the country. You’ll get a chance to work with them. If you play your cards right, you’ll also go to the courtroom.”
“I would love that.”
John placed his hands on both of their shoulders. “Stick with us, Jacob. The possibilities are endless.”
Aviva blinked. She forced her mouth into a smile. “I think they’re just about to make an announcement for us to sit down.”
As if on cue, the lights blinked.
Russell took to the microphone. “Ladies and Gentlemen, please take your seats. Dinner is about to begin.”
Jacob shook John’s hand. “It was great to meet you, John.”
“You too, Jacob. I
look forward to working with you.”
Aviva led the way to their table near the front of the room.
“I can’t believe I ran into him here.” He held out her chair and sat next to her.
“Did he recognize you or you him?”
“I recognized him. He had no idea who I was until I introduced myself. But I thought he was very nice.”
“Yeah, he seemed it.”
Jacob turned toward her. “What’s wrong?”
She spread her napkin on her lap, smoothing it over her dress. “Hmm? Nothing.”
He stared at her for a minute as if trying to figure her out, but this was a business event. She couldn’t crack here. Her gaze swept the room. It was filled with the sort of people John talked about to Jacob. The crème of society. At $10,000 a table, they had to be.
Jacob was in his element. He’d schmoozed with John. Now he talked to the person on his left, someone from Russell’s firm. Aviva didn’t remember his name, but as course after course was served, Jacob kept the table entertained with stories. Aviva joined in where appropriate. She talked to the woman on her right, but in the back of her mind, she thought of Jacob’s future.
She bit into her salmon with lemon-herbed butter.
“My lobster is delicious,” the woman on her right remarked.
Aviva nodded. “As is my salmon.” She didn’t taste any of it. She continued to eat, trying not to gag. A few moments later, the room darkened. Aviva let out a sigh of relief as she lowered her fork. The fund-raising portion of the evening started, alleviating the need for conversation.
Of course, it provided time to think.
Russell ascended the podium. She listened with half an ear to his welcome speech and introduction of the CEO, all the while thinking about what John had said. Jacob rested his hand on her thigh. Its warmth seeped into her leg, but she was still cold. Freezing. As she would be every night she spent alone. The CEO joined Russell and thanked him, made a joke, and waited for the laughter to subside.
Aviva joined in along with the rest of the room, but it was hollow, even to her ears. There was a camaraderie here she couldn’t adjust to, but Jacob was in his element. When the CEO called Meryl to help display the items for auction, Aviva tried to get more comfortable in her seat. But the seat was hard. No amount of padding or shifting changed her discomfort. Just like no amount of reassurance from Jacob could ease her worries about his new job. Jacob put his arm around her and pulled her against him. His arm was muscular, the tuxedo jacket soft to the touch, yet still she fidgeted. With a shake of her head, she pulled away. She sat straighter in her chair.
Five Minutes to Love Page 20
