Matzah Ball Surprise

by Laura Brown

Gaby shook her head and rubbed the growing throbbing at her temple. “It’s Passover, are you about to torture me for forty years?”

  Aunt Faith put an arm around her. “You aren’t forty yet, my child, what do you think I’ve been doing since you’ve been born?”

  Gaby laughed and pushed away as the dog scrambled into the kitchen and jumped up to Aunt Faith.

  “Oh, your mother had a lot to say about you, young man. An entire turkey? Meshuggeneh!”

  Her mother entered, then, and the sisters began chatting and going over food plans, so Gaby slipped down the hall. In her bedroom, she shut the door behind her and closed her eyes, head leaning back against the wood. How was she going to survive this night?

  Aunt Faith was right. She wasn’t the type to date a challenge. She went for easy, with not much effort. Was it any wonder none of her relationships lasted? Not that a fake date would be much of a difference, but she needed to start stepping out of her comfort zone. After Passover, she’d let Riley set her up, or pick a place, and she’d go for it. A date couldn’t hurt, not when she already hovered at rock bottom.

  What about making your fake date real? The thought was tempting, but a nagging doubt held her back. She knew little about the man, and he kept deferring when she asked him anything, as though he had a secret. She couldn’t fathom what would keep him from sharing, but in the end, it didn’t matter, not for this weekend. She’d date again when she found someone new.

  A hand landed on her shoulder, and she opened her eyes to Levi standing before her. His blue eyes tempting her to forget all her qualms and melt into him, especially with the sun casting a glow behind him. He pointed to her and signed “O-K” along with that weird bouncing finger again.

  She shrugged, not willing to move and communicate just yet.

  He ran his hands up and down her arms, expressive eyes giving her time and patience. Not something she was used to getting, and the simple gesture gave her more support than she would have thought possible. Gaby swallowed the urge to cry. Tom would have told her to get over it and move on. Meanwhile her fake date stood there with her, content in their silence, offering her a lifeline.

  She leaned forward and pressed her forehead against his, communicating as best she could without words. She didn’t want to share words, not in any language. She wanted this moment regardless of whatever he held back from her.

  “Gaby, stop keeping Levi all to yourself and introduce him to your aunt!” Her mother’s voice rang through the door, shattering the spell. She pushed herself away from the wall, and he staggered back, confused by her sudden movement.

  “Mother,” she signed, then moved her lips in senseless blabbing.

  She expected a smile from him, but his lips didn’t curve. Those eyes remained intense as he ran a finger down her cheek. He made being with him effortless even with their lack of communication. If she rose onto her toes, she could meet his lips, fall into him, and live in their little fake world a little longer.

  “Gaby!” her mother’s voice echoed down the hall, breaking her away from tempting thoughts. She angled her head toward the door, and subsequently the kitchen, where the racket had originated from, and he nodded, giving her more room. For the best, their fake fling didn’t need to exist behind closed doors. After all, he was for fooling her family, not herself.

  Chapter Ten

  Levi held folded cards, each with the name of one of the guests written on it, as Gaby moved around the table, fixing intricately folded napkins that now curved and arched on top of the Haggadah sitting on each plate. If he needed a moment to realize how serious her family took Passover, this was it. He knew from the bread in the refrigerator they weren’t extremely religious, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t go all out for the holidays.

  Anne, apparently, went all out.

  Gaby and Anne had conferred over something then handed the cards to him. He still wasn’t sure if he was supposed to decide which names wanted to sit together or wait for Gaby. Heck, he didn’t even have seating charts in his classes, just a circular setup so his students could converse.

  Gaby finished fussing with the napkins, and he held up the cards, raising his eyebrows in question. She pointed at him and nodded then went back to staring at the table, hands on her hips. Seconds ticked past, the kind that felt like hours but were no different than the seconds that passed when one did enjoyable things, like stand close to Gaby and debate about kissing her.

  That brought his gaze away from the table and her hands still on hips, to those pouty lips that he hadn’t tasted, or bitten, and he wondered if he’d ever get the chance to take that lush bottom lip between his teeth.

  And he really needed to get his head on straight. Thinking about Gaby’s lips like this wouldn’t give him anything but blue balls. He needed to wait until they had an audience, then his incessant feelings would be at least helpful.

  Gaby moved, and he followed her around the table to the head plate. She held up a hand. “A. Father.”

  He moved to her and collected her outstretched hand from her forehead and moved it to her chin. “Mother.”

  Her cheeks pinked, and she copied him, performing the sign correctly.

  He rummaged through the cards until he came to Anne Fineberg and handed it over. Gaby placed it in front of the wine cup and moved on to the next seat, giving him the first letter or first few letters of the first name of the seat’s future occupant.

  She got a few seats down before pointing to herself, and he flipped through until he found Gaby Fineberg and handed it over. She placed it by her wineglass then pointed to him. He shuffled through again, but when he saw his, it simply read: Levi.

  He held it up to Gaby, pointing to the empty space where his last name should be.

  Gaby’s cheeks pinked, and she pulled out her phone.

  Gaby: I didn’t know your last name and avoided the topic with Mom.

  He held up his hand and got her attention. “M. I. L. L. E. R.”

  She nodded and took his card, exiting to the kitchen. Alone with nothing to do, he sorted through the cards and thought he saw a familiar name, but then Gaby returned and set his card down. His last name looked different than the rest, clearly in her handwriting and not her mother’s, and for some silly reason that made him feel good.

  He held up the cards, ready for more, but Gaby was busy typing on her phone.

  Gaby: We need help getting the kids’ table and chairs. Can you go downstairs? They should already be leaning against the wall.

  He held up a thumb and handed the cards to her before making his way down the stairs in the split level.

  One direction had a door, the other led to an open family room, and sure enough, a folding table one usually associated with poker or other card games lay against one side. He hefted it, ready to bring it up the stairs, when the door opened and an older woman with short red hair came out. Must be Gaby’s aunt.

  Levi waved, and the aunt smiled, not an awkward smile. No, not this one. Her smile said, “I know what you’re doing with my niece,” which meant he’d done something right on this first meeting, since he really wasn’t doing anything with Gaby.

  Except staring at her lips and wanting to kiss her.

  He set the table down and pulled out his phone.

  I’m Levi. You must be Gaby’s aunt?

  He handed his phone to her, and she took it, responding with blood-red nails. Levi wasn’t sure whether they were merely her style, a reference to the blood shed during Passover, or a reminder that she could cut him down as needed.

  I’m Faith. You must be the one Gaby started dating without telling us.

  Well, shit. Gaby wasn’t kidding that her aunt was the one to look out for.

  It’s new, and she was cautious after everything with her ex.

  He hid a cringe and handed the phone over, hoping he hadn’t stepped in the proverbial dog
poop.

  New isn’t what I think of for Passover. But it’s nice to meet you. I’ll grab a chair.

  He forced a smile like he had plans to stick around for the long haul with Gaby and one feisty relative wasn’t going to scare him off. He returned the phone to his pocket then grabbed the table and brought it up the stairs.

  Gaby pointed to an empty area between the extended dining room table and living room furniture, and he set the table down there, noting that all the name tags for the adults appeared to be set.

  Faith followed behind him with a single chair, and he hurried back down to collect more. Five minutes later, the chairs were set up, the place settings established, and Gaby had even managed to do more intricate napkin folding. He doubted the kids would really appreciate it, but they might like the animal stickers next to their names.

  Levi stood like a fish out of water as Gaby and Faith chatted. Through the pointing, he figured they discussed setup, but he couldn’t be sure. He plastered on his smile and flexed his hands, hoping he wouldn’t be stuck in isolation too long, but knowing, in reality, it had just begun.

  …

  “Your mom mentioned she had some new ideas on how to lead the Seder,” Faith said. “Did she tell you?”

  Gaby stared at her aunt. She thought the place cards were new enough; what other plans could her mother possibly have? Why couldn’t she just stick to tradition? Tradition was comfort. “No, she didn’t mention it. What was she thinking?”

  “Oh, a little of this, a little of that. Who even knows?”

  “I think the dog was enough of a change for one weekend,” Gaby muttered.

  Aunt Faith laughed. “Your mother always looked for the new and improved, even as a kid. You should be used to it by now.”

  Used to it? Yes. Liking it? Not even close. Another area she took after her father. His death seemed almost ironic for that reason.

  She sent an apologetic glance to Levi before making a beeline to the kitchen. “Mom, what are these new ideas you’ve got?”

  Her mother basted the turkey, Bengi panting and wagging his tail by her feet, clearly having just been told to stay but debating if he wanted to be banished to the kennel again or not. “We don’t do enough interactive talking,” her mother said. “Think of the conversations we could have! Especially with the political nature of our country—”

  Gaby waved her hands, cutting her mother off. “Do not bring up politics at the Seder, not when you know as well as I do there will be some mixed views in the room.”

  Her mom straightened and put the baster down. “Oh, I forgot about that. Well, other areas of conversation could be fun.”

  Sure, on a normal Passover, Gaby might give her this one. But all she could think of was Levi and how he’d be left out. “It could be, but Levi won’t really be able to participate.”

  Her mother scrunched her face. “Good point. I’ll keep it short, and maybe we can come up with a better plan to be interactive and open next year. Honestly, Gaby, you sprung the deaf date on me.”

  Next year… Because her mother assumed Gaby’s relationship with Levi wouldn’t last? She forced a smile, her defenses rising. “Sorry.”

  “Oh, it’s okay.” Her mom patted her cheek. “If he makes you happy, I can handle a few last-minute Seder changes. Now, go collect your grandmother’s Seder plate and set it up on the table.”

  Gaby scurried out of the kitchen, finding Levi still standing by the kids’ table, looking as lost as she felt. She gestured for him to join her, then headed down the stairs, away from the family room, to the place where all odds and ends and rarely used things were stored.

  Only she didn’t go straight for the Passover Seder plate. She pulled out her phone once they were alone.

  Gaby: I really have no idea why I thought this was a good idea.

  Levi: Coming down the stairs?

  She looked at him and found genuine confusion on his face.

  Gaby: No. I’m here to get something for the table upstairs. I mean dragging you here.

  Levi: Expectation and reality always tend to differ. That’s why so many promising first dates end in despair. The idea of the person was better than the reality.

  She glanced at him, wondering if he meant that about himself. The idea of him certainly had her eager for more, but the reality had parts missing. Areas he held back for reasons she couldn’t fathom.

  Gaby: Good thing we’re not real then.

  She threw a smile on her face, unsure where reality existed. Because in reality, she liked this man, felt drawn to him—had to be the farce they pulled off. Perhaps instead of asking about his family, she needed to ask if he had any acting experience.

  He read her words then found her gaze, holding her captive in his baby blues. His cheeks were pushed up by his grin, and even if both their smiles were fake, a warmth filtered through her that alcohol could only aspire to. Her gaze traveled to those curved lips and the smooth skin around them, and Gaby had never imagined how much she could want something that was fake.

  “Gabrielle!” her mother shouted from the top of the stairs. “Have you found the plate, or are you making out in my storage room?”

  Gaby closed her eyes and counted to ten, reminding herself she was an adult and not a teenager. Heck, her mother had forced them into the same damn bedroom. Now she didn’t want them sneaking a kiss?

  She found the plate and headed back upstairs, with Levi trailing behind. The reality was she’d known him for only a few days, so none of her silly emotions had any reason to exist.

  …

  The crowd had arrived, and Levi hung back, bored out of his mind. Gaby did her best to introduce him, but he hadn’t managed to pick up on who was who, and frankly, he didn’t care. He’d never see these people again. All he had to do was be here for Gaby.

  If only it were socially acceptable to keep his head buried in his phone. A few more minutes and he would, seeing as there wasn’t any food to snack on to pass the time. He’d never looked forward to the Seder starting more than he did at this moment.

  A guy with a receding hairline and salt-and-pepper hair came over to him. His mouth moved, casual conversation slipping from his lips and fading into the carpet.

  Levi hoped Gaby had shared his deafness but knew people didn’t always respect disabilities. He pointed to his ear and shook his head, and the guy’s eyes grew wide. He fumbled with his pockets, and Levi collected his phone and opened to a notepad app.

  I’m Deaf. I thought Gaby shared that?

  The guy took the phone and held it farther away than normal to read.

  She did. I figured you’d lip read or something.

  Levi did his best not to roll his eyes.

  You ever try lip reading? Only 20% of speech sounds show on the lips. It’s ultimately a large crapshoot of a guessing game.

  The guy said something in response, and Levi tried not to react. The family just happened to be very verbal, and hopefully that wouldn’t make anyone wonder what Gaby was doing dating him.

  He read the man’s message.

  No shit? So how do you two communicate?

  Levi forced the smile to remain on his face and wished he knew which family member this was that had started interrogating him.

  Gaby’s learning ASL, and we write like this.

  The guy shook his head while he responded, taking extra time to tap out his response.

  So this “date” is more a teacher-student situation than romance, huh?

  Who the hell was this guy? Levi made it a point to avoid romantic entanglements with his students, but Mr. Opinionated certainly didn’t know his profession or a thing about him. He ignored him for a moment, glancing around until he found the dark-haired beauty in a blue wrap dress that accentuated her figure and threatened to make him drool. Less of a romance, his ass. Gaby chatted with someone around her age�
��he didn’t give a damn who. He willed her to look his way so they could prove a thing or two to this dick. And as though she had a subliminal connection to him, she looked up, catching his gaze, and he all but puffed out his chest in triumph.

  She noticed his companion, and her lips twitched before her hand rose above the crowd. “H-A-R-R-Y.”

  Levi’s eyebrows shot up. He was being chewed out by Mr. Nude Toy? Not happening.

  While I may be an actual college professor, there is nothing student-teacher about my feelings for Gaby.

  Sure, the whole student-teacher thing had an entire genre of fantasies from all genders, but that wasn’t Harry’s point. He handed his phone over as Gaby appeared beside him, standing close like a girlfriend would. He hadn’t a clue if she’d read the notes or simply knew her uncle, but he appreciated her timing.

  And maybe he liked having her close, enjoyed looking at her. Her dress crisscrossed between her breasts, giving him a world-class view of cleavage, making her about the sexiest thing he’d ever laid eyes on. She shifted an inch closer, and while their positions alone proved Harry wrong, he knew what he needed to do, ignoring that need and want had intertwined beyond separation.

  Levi ran a hand down Gaby’s cheek, landing on her arm. Her head tilted up, tongue snaking out to moisten her lower lip, and all his blood pumped south. He hadn’t squeezed her arm yet, and they both knew what came next. He should check on their audience, but he didn’t want to risk breaking the moment. He wanted this kiss.

  Her pulse raced below his hand as he gave her two quick squeezes. The world around them faded as he angled his head and pressed his lips against hers, then even rational thought ceased when she kissed him back.

  Her kiss was akin to the most delectable cookie: sweet, addicting, and impossible to resist. He angled his head, taking more of her, one hand on her back. He didn’t pull her closer, though he wanted to. Some small notion of reality kicked him in the nads. This was for show, not to enjoy.

  Oh, but how he enjoyed it.

  Levi pulled back, watching Gaby to ensure she hadn’t changed her mind. She smiled at him, and he fought the urge to yank her back to him. She bumped his hip, nodding a few feet away, and he turned to find Harry had given up on him. The man had a hand around a woman much younger, holding her closer than Levi held Gaby, as though he had something to prove. Gaby pointed to him. “O.K.,” she signed, and he knew it to be a question.