It was only a quarter to eight and already the gallery was full of people. Eve had been there for over an hour, ready to make an impact from the moment the first guest arrived.
She had chosen a sleek French twist for her hairstyle tonight, leaving her neck and shoulders bare except for a single diamond necklace. Diamonds also dripped from her ears, the only other accessory Eve wore to accent her white gown.
The look worked, as everyone had their eyes on Eve as much as the art she was presenting. Sipping champagne, Eve greeted everyone from artists to buyers to critics with the same congeniality and enthusiasm, answering questions, posing for photos, and charming those patrons who just didn’t know if they wanted to spend that much money for art.
“It’s simply fabulous, dear. I think you’ve outdone yourself.” Mrs. Durham was in her fifties and married to one of the wealthiest men in the city. But, coming from old money, Mrs. Durham knew excellence when she saw it, even if she was a little eccentric herself. She was certainly a contrast to Eve’s elegant beauty in her gaudy, multicolored gown and enough jewelry to light the midnight sky, but Eve liked her courage to go outside the norm.
“I saw you eyeing the Renoir over there,” she said. “It’s beautiful isn’t it?”
“Don’t give her any ideas now, dear.” Mr. Durham appeared next to his wife wearing a traditional tuxedo. The two were complete opposites, and perfect for each other, Eve thought noticing his wife’s input on his suit by the multicolored tie and cummerbund. “We’re only here to look.” He raised his champagne glass to Eve. “And to drink to your success, of course.”
“Now, Mr. Durham, that is a great piece,” Eve persisted teasingly. “Just imagine how it would look in your home. Could you really deprive yourself, or your wife, of such beauty?” She leaned closer to him, dropping her voice. “And, I do hear that your anniversary is coming up soon. What better way to say ‘I love you’ than an original Renoir?”
“You’re good, young lady,” Mr. Durham said with a chuckle. He shook his head in mock defeat. “Fine. We’ll take it.”
“Very good.” Eve lifted her glass to him and gave Mrs. Durham a wink. “I’ll make sure it’s reserved for you.” Just then, Adam stepped out of the elevator and caught Eve’s eye.
“Now that is a work of art,” Mrs. Durham told Eve under her breath.
“Yes, he is,” Eve replied, aware that her pulse had quickened.
“Hi.” As usual, the moment he saw Eve, he was hard and wanting her. The way her gown dipped so low in front made him want to trace his tongue over every exposed part.
Eve read Adam’s mind and felt every inch of her heat with desire. “Hi.” She kissed him sensually on the mouth.
“You look incredible,” he said in her ear as he picked a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.
“Thank you, so do you. Mr. and Mrs. Durham, you remember Adam.”
“Yes, of course. How are you?” Mrs. Durham said, holding out her hand.
“I’m well, Mrs. Durham. You’re looking lovely as usual.”
Dipping his head, he kissed the back of her hand. “Mr. Durham. Keeping in shape I see.”
The older man shook Adam’s hand heartily. “Just as charming as your young lady here, aren’t you? It’s good to see you again, Adam.”
“Ms. Sumptor?” Mikey interrupted hesitantly.
Eve was pleased to see that the young intern was extremely prompt. Now here he was dressed sharply in an understated tuxedo. She made a mental note to thank Miss Hannah again for making him look wonderful and confident.
“Lizzie Chapman from The New York Times is looking for you,” Mikey said, his eyes shining with what was clearly a new appreciation for Eve’s beauty. “She would like to ask you a few questions for her column.”
“Fine.” Eve turned to her party with an apologetic smile. “Excuse me, please. Duty calls. Join me, Adam?”
As they crossed the crowded gallery, arm in arm, Eve felt a sense of pride. The turn-out was a tremendous success, and having Adam here with her meant more to her than she had ever imagined possible.
“Look at this photo, Mikey,” his mother, a tall, thin woman with a mane of black hair, wearing a simple black dress which accented her still youthful figure, said to him. “Look at how the photographer uses the light.”
“It’s great, Mom,” Mikey told her. He was so excited that she could be here, and so proud to be with her. Because of Eve, he knew that he fit in with all of the other people at the gallery with their expensive clothing. And his mom, thanks to her innate fashion sense, might have bought her clothes at the consignment shop but looked, as usual, like a million.
“These are the kind of photos I want to take, Mikey,” she said dreamily.
“You will, Mama. You’re doing so well.”
“I don’t know mi hijo. The artist who took this is muy talentoso.”
“Thank you,” Eve said from behind them. “This is one of my favorites, as well.”
“Ms. Sumptor!” Mikey wondered how long she had been there. “Um, Mama, this is Ms...”
“Eve.” Eve offered and held her hand out to Theresa.
Mikey had told her that Eve was beautiful, but Theresa had never imagined that his employer possessed the stunning quality of the woman she saw standing before her. Suddenly nervous, Theresa fiddled with the crucifix around her neck.
“I can’t thank you enough for everything that you’ve done for my son, Ms. Sumptor,” she said.
“Your son is an asset to Sumptor Gallery and we’re lucky to have him,” she told the proud woman with her hair pinned back in an inexpensive, rhinestone butterfly clip. “He’s extremely intelligent and knows his art.”
“Ella es casi demasiado buena ser verdad, Mikey. ¿Ella es verdadera?” Theresa said to her son and was surprised when Eve answered herself.
“I’m real,” Eve said with a chuckle. “I live on the theory that good people deserve good things in life. Mikey tells me that you are a photographer yourself. I’d love to see your work sometime.”
“Oh, I just play around,” Theresa said humbly. “I don’t have your talent.”
“I don’t believe that,” Eve replied. “Art and talent are not learned, Theresa, they’re something you are born with.”
When she introduced Adam to Theresa, he kissed the back of her hand charmingly, and Eve found that she was overjoyed having a man as wonderful as Adam on her arm.
Their conversation ranged from art and photography, to Mikey’s schooling and what he was like as a boy – much to Mikey’s embarrassment and Eve was sincerely enjoying her time with them.
It was a welcome break from all of the commotion around her. Though Eve’s attention was occupied by her company, she was still aware of the people surrounding them. She was also aware that someone was missing. Eve lifted Adam’s arm to look at his watch.
“That’s the hundredth time you’ve checked the time, Eve,” Adam said curiously.
“Sorry. It’s just that Lainey’s not here yet. Have you seen her, Mikey? Has she called?”
“No, ma’am.”
“I’m sure she’ll be here soon,” Adam told her.
“Yes, I’m sure she will. It was wonderful meeting you, Theresa,” Eve said, trying to ignore the gnawing sense of uneasiness that was beginning to overwhelm her. It wasn’t like Lainey to be late for something like this, not when she knew that the opening meant so much to Eve. “Please, enjoy the rest your evening. I will talk to you again, I’m sure, before the night is over.” Eve looked at Mikey. “If Lainey calls come and get me please.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Mikey agreed and watched as Eve walked away arm in arm with Adam. He knew he would never be able to compete with Adam, so settled with if Eve was happy, Mikey would be happy for her.
“Are you worried about Lainey, baby?” Adam asked Eve.
Her nails have been biting into his arm and that was unlike Eve.
“I’m sure she just got held up,” Eve told him, frowning. “It’s just not
like her to not phone.”
“Do you want to call her?” Adam began to reach for his cell phone.
“No. I’ll give her a few more minutes.” Knowing that an experienced undercover bodyguard was protecting Lainey, Eve tried to tell herself that there was no real reason for her to be worried. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t. She would just feel much better when Lainey got there.
“Miss Eve.” Henry, looking very stylish in his suit and tie called to her.
“Henry. How are you, handsome?” Eve smiled, joining him.
“I’m great. You’re looking mighty fine tonight.”
“Shall we leave these two alone?” Adam came to Trudy’s side and kissed her on the cheek.
“If it means I get to spend time with you, then let’s go.” Trudy, a dark, petite woman with streaks of gray in her black hair that was done up in a bun, patted Adam’s face and linked her arm with his.
“Sorry, Trudy. This one is not up for grabs,” Eve said playfully and pulled Adam to her. “How are you tonight, hun. You look wonderful.”
“Thanks to you and that Miss Hannah. That woman is a miracle worker with clothes,” Trudy said and smoothed her hands over the purple velvet dress Miss Hannah had made her.
“Ms. Sumptor?” Lizzie called from in front of Lainey’s display. “We were wondering if you could tell us a little more about this display. It’s very ingenious. Wherever did you come up with the idea?”
As if on cue, the elevator door opened and Eve turning, locked eyes with Lainey with a disgruntled looking Jack beside her, feeling relief and joy flowing through her. “I agree,” Eve said to the reporter. “It is very ingenious, but I didn’t do it. You would need to ask Lainey Stanton.”
“I’m sorry I’m late,” Lainey told Eve under her breath, taking a flute of champagne from a passing waiter.
“It’s okay. Ms. Chapman from The New York Times was just commenting on your display.”
“I was just telling Ms. Sumptor how creative it was. It’s so full of intrigue and sexual energy,” Lizzie told Lainey. “What was your inspiration?”
“I suppose inspiration for something like this comes naturally when you work with someone like Eve,” Lainey said, sipping her champagne.
Eve raised an eyebrow, surprised by Lainey’s bold and honest answer. “Well, what a wonderful compliment,” she said aloud when everyone else remained in stunned silence.
“I agree,” one of the art critics said finally. “Ms. Sumptor definitely inspires this kind of feeling and I believe Ms. Stanton captured it beautifully.”
“Just make sure you spell Lainey’s name correctly in your article,” Eve teased, and then turned to Jack. “I know you’ve just arrived, but I need to steal your wife for a moment. I have to bring her up to speed on what’s been going on.” Smiling pleasantly at Jack, who frowned in return, she turned her attention back to the rest of the group. “Excuse us. Please, eat, drink, buy.” When a photographer shot her kissing Adam, she shook her head and led Lainey upstairs to her office. She needed desperately to know what was going on.
Eve opened the door of her office for Lainey and motioned her inside.
“I’m so sorry I’m late,” Lainey began hastily.
“Lainey,” Eve interrupted. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. Yes, I’m fine.” Lainey took a deep breath, trying to hold back the tears. “I just can’t believe I was late.”
“What’s wrong?” Eve asked softly. From the moment Lainey had stepped out of the elevator, Eve had known something was not right.
“Nothing,” Lainey lied and tried to make her smile sincere.
Eve sighed. “Lainey, if you don’t want to talk to me about it then you don’t have to, but please don’t lie to me.”
“I just don’t want to ruin your night,” Lainey told her, not meeting her eyes.
“Honey,” Eve said, her voice quiet. “You’re not going to ruin anything. Talk to me.”
Lainey saw the genuine concern in Eve’s eyes and knew she could tell Eve everything.
“Jack and I have been fighting all evening,” she said. “I don’t know what his problem is. He just started in on me when we were getting ready, all of a sudden saying he wasn’t going. I told him I needed to be here, that I couldn’t be late, but he just didn’t care. I had to practically beg him to come.”
“Why didn’t you just come alone?” Eve was becoming tired of Jack’s attitude with Lainey, but kept her opinion to herself.
“I should have,” Lainey said with a sigh. “He’s not speaking to me anyway. It’s never been this bad, Eve. We’ve had fights before, but not like this.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.”
Eve came close to Lainey and took her champagne from her setting both glasses on the desk. “We both know it is my fault,” Eve said softly. “I know that Jack doesn’t like me.”
“That’s not true!”
“That is true,” Eve replied with a shrug. “He thinks I’m changing you.”
“You are,” Lainey whispered.
Eve gently pulled Lainey even closer. “It looks as though I’m not helping you very much with your marriage.”
“You’re helping me find myself,” Lainey told her. “Until I figure that out, my marriage will stay the same. Jack will get over this working thing. Things will be normal again. Boring, but normal. But I don’t want normal anymore, Eve. I want excitement and passion.”
Eve lifted her hand to Lainey’s face and feathered a finger across her cheekbone. “You look beautiful,” Eve murmured.
“You’re the first one to tell me that tonight.” Lainey could barely breathe with Eve so close. Why couldn’t she just gather the nerve to kiss Eve, as she wanted?
Eve sighed heavily and shook her head. “Has anyone ever told you that you are married to a fool?”
Lainey laughed. “I believe you may have mentioned that before.”
Eve smiled. She trailed a finger down Lainey’s cheek, and then on impulse, she touched Lainey’s mouth lightly with her fingertip. Lainey’s lips parted in response. The urge to kiss Lainey was almost irresistible. “I’m sorry.” Eve cleared her throat. “We should get back. I’m sure everyone is wondering where we are.” She tucked a strand of hair behind Lainey’s ear. “Don’t let Jack get you down. You’ve worked hard for this. I’m proud of you.”
Lainey’s heart swelled. Hearing Eve say that she was proud of Lainey meant more to her than Eve would ever know.
“Come on,” Eve said gaily, taking her hand. “Let’s go sell some very expensive art.”
Eve and Lainey were rarely able to exchange more than a few words with one another for the remainder of the evening. Eve was pulled in so many directions by so many people that Lainey could barely keep up. As for Jack, his attitude didn’t improve any to Lainey’s dismay. And the more he drank, the worse it became.
The secret looks Eve would give her when no one else was looking were the only thing that kept Lainey sane. She tried to avoid Jack for as long as she could by talking to Mikey and his mother, and getting to know Henry and his wife.
Meanwhile, Lainey overheard Eve breeze through conversations that ranged from art to politics. She watched Eve charm clientele into buying art they didn’t even know they wanted, laughing at the men’s awful jokes, and winking surreptitiously at the wives who got what they wanted. Lainey herself sold a few paintings by following Eve’s example, which only seemed to piss Jack off even more. Whenever he had the chance, he told her that she was flirting too much, or acting too much like Eve.
“I’m leaving, Lainey,” Jack told her for the umpteenth time. “You’re either going with me or you can find your own ride home.”
“The limo is mine, Jack. You find your own way home,” she whispered angrily at him. “Why are you doing everything you can to ruin this for me?”
“I’m not doing anything,” he told her in a low voice. “I came here didn’t I? I came to support you when I don’t even like this
sort of affair. You know that.”
“You are not supporting me. You have been bitching all night.” Lainey smiled momentarily while the Durham’s passed them. “Why are you doing this?”
“I’m not going to discuss this here, Lainey. If you want to talk then you’ll go home with me now.” He set his glass of champagne down on the lap of a bronze figure of a seated woman that was worth over a quarter of a million dollars and walked away from her.
Picking up the glass, Lainey went to find Eve. She just needed to talk to her, hear her say that everything would be all right. Then she saw Eve with her arm around Adam’s waist, saw him bend to kiss her and, with tears threatening to fall, she walked quickly to the elevator.
“Mrs. Stanton?” Mikey called after her.
Lainey willed the elevator to open. “I’m sorry Mikey. I have to go,” she told the confused intern before the doors slid shut, hiding her falling tears.
Adam followed Eve out of the limo in front of her apartment building, and took her in his arms.
Unaware that she was being watched, Eve reached up and kissed Adam passionately, moving her tongue in an erotic dance with his.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come up?” Adam asked against her mouth.
“No.” Eve laughed quietly and kissed him again, this time less passionately. “Mmm. Rain check?”
“Soon,” Adam answered and kissed her. “Dream of me.”
“Dream of me,” Eve told him and disappeared. This was the way it had to be for now, she told herself.
Across the street, Lainey wiped away her tears and laid her head on the steering wheel. She should have stayed home, but she needed to see Eve. It had been hell watching Eve with Adam, and Lainey had been relieved when he had left instead of going up with Eve. Now she sat there trying to find the courage to go up to Eve.
Once inside her apartment, Eve walked into the living room and threw her keys on the coffee table along with the diamond earrings she had removed in the elevator. She thought about calling Lainey as she had wanted to all night long. But, there was Jack to consider. It would only make things worse for Lainey if she were to call and that’s the last thing she wanted to do. But she had been worried ever since she had looked around the gallery and found that both of them had gone. When Mikey had told her they had left separately, she had become increasingly concerned. But, she reminded herself now as she went upstairs to shower, their quarrels were none of her business – unless, of course, Lainey wanted them to be. All she wanted was for Lainey to be happy.
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