Date Shark

by DelSheree Gladden

  “You must be Leila,” Vance said. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Thank you. It’s nice to meet you, too.”

  Still holding onto her hand, Vance pulled her over to the table. “Everyone, this is Leila, a brave new addition to our little group. She’s a friend of Eli’s, so be nice. We’d like her to stick around a while.”

  Vance then introduced Leila to each member of the group while Eli stood back. He was actually grateful for his friend’s interference. As much as he wanted Leila with him, introducing her hadn’t only been a concern for Leila. He was sure that as soon as his friends heard the way he said her name, or saw the way he looked at her they would know. More than that, he didn’t want to introduce her as his friend, his pal, or even just as Leila. Vance had saved him from having to face that mountain just yet. Eli gave him a thankful nod the next time their eyes met, which Vance returned with a nod of his own.

  When the introductions were done, Vance urged Leila to sit. She looked at Eli first, making sure he hadn’t disappeared. He was at her side a moment later. They sat next to each other, quite close thanks to the size of the booth and the number of people they were attempting to fit into it. Eli certainly didn’t mind, but he noticed Leila didn’t appear to be bothered, either.

  “So, Leila,” Guy said with his altogether too French accent, “what do you do?”

  “I’m the marketing director for St. Claire Designs.”

  Stephanie gasped. “I love St. Claire’s! You’re so lucky.”

  Her enthusiasm made Leila laugh. “It’s a great place to work. My boss, Ana, is wonderful. She’s the one who introduced me to Eli.”

  In that instance, Leila’s body froze, and Eli knew exactly what she was thinking. She was thinking that his friends were aware of his date shark business. In her mind it was probably a straight shot assumption for Eli’s friends that she would have met him in that manner. Eli hated lying, so he did his best to tell as much truth as possible as he attempted to rescue Leila.

  “Yes, Ana and I ran into each other about a month ago at Dolcini and she happened to mention Leila. She was so enthusiastic about her that I couldn’t resist being introduced,” Eli said, which was almost entirely true. Ana did mention Leila to him the last time they talked. She did praise her for her work and creativity, but along with that she mentioned Leila’s dating problems.

  Stephanie broke what tension remained when she starting telling Leila how much she loved the catalog from St. Claire’s, and how gorgeous the displays were the last time she had been there. Leila accepted her praise gratefully, but her attention wasn’t wholly on Stephanie, Eli discovered when her hand reached over to his. All she did was squeeze his hand once in appreciation before letting go. Eli lost track of the conversation after that. His mind was firmly stuck on her brief touch.

  “Enough about clothes,” Guy suddenly broke in. “Steph will talk about clothes and shoes all night if someone doesn’t put a stop to it. Looks like that has to be me. Leila, would you care to dance?”

  His request was enough to bring Eli out of his fog. “Guy … ” he said warningly.

  His friend darted a challenging glance over to him. “We came here to have fun, right? What do you say, Leila?”

  “Sure, I guess,” she said, surprising more than one person at the table.

  Eli knew that was his cue to stand up and let her out. Actually doing so was not very easy. His movements were stiff when he slid out of the booth and offered his hand to Leila. She took it and slid out as well, releasing him too quickly. Guy was there promptly with a brilliant grin for Leila. His was quick to grab her hand, but before he could pull her away, Eli rested his first two fingers on the crook of her elbow. It was enough to make her turn back.

  “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” he said in a low voice that the music drowned out for everyone else but her.

  There was a nervous tension in her smile, but she said, “I came out with you to meet people, right?”

  “Yes … ”

  “I’ll be fine,” she said before slipping away from him.

  Eli had every intention of watching Guy’s every move. Vance foiled that plan when he stepped up next to him and clapped a hand down on his shoulder. “The girls would like some drinks. Come with me,” Vance said. When Eli hesitated, Vance tightened his grip and forced him away from the image of Guy placing his hands on Leila’s hips.

  When they reached the bar and put in the girls’ orders, both men leaned against the counter. Vance was the first to speak. “You didn’t tell me you were in love with her, Eli. That makes this whole stupid situation ten times worse.”

  “I’m not in love with her,” he argued.

  Vance only laughed, which made Eli unusually angry. The hot retort on his lips was stalled by his friend’s calming hand on his shoulder. When he spoke, all trace of humor was gone. “Eli, I’m worried about you.”

  “You don’t need to be. I’m fine. I have everything under control.”

  “Really?” Vance asked. “How are things with your mom?”

  Eli didn’t answer.

  “How many desperate women have you turned down since meeting Leila?”

  Again, Eli didn’t dignify that with a response. Vance already knew Eli had only agreed to meet with three clients since going out with Leila.

  “How jealous are you right now that Guy’s hands are about half an inch from Leila’s … ”

  That got Eli’s attention. He was stepping away from the bar before Vance could finish his sentence, only to be yanked back a second later. Eli’s growl did nothing to loosen his friend’s grip. Vance held him tightly against the bar.

  “You warned her about Guy, I’m guessing?”

  “Of course I did,” Eli snapped.

  “You’ve talked to her about how to spot a worthwhile prospect over a ‘good time,’ right?”

  Eli relaxed somewhat. “Yes.”

  “And regardless of Guy being our friend, we both know exactly which category he falls into. Will Leila?”

  Grudgingly, Eli admitted, “Yes.”

  “Then why don’t you give her some credit. Let her prove she’s been paying attention to what you’ve taught her.”

  The bartender set their drinks on the counter. Each of them grabbed a few drinks, but they didn’t return to the table immediately. They had a much better view of Guy and Leila from the bar. Eli was silently rooting for Leila as Guy’s hands slip a little lower. He was smooth, and he knew how to make a woman feel comfortable before pouncing. His hands hovered right at her waistline, waiting for the chance to move lower. Eli’s hand tightened on the glass he was holding as he watched.

  Even Vance seemed to hold his breath when Guy’s hand finally crossed the line. Neither of them heard the light slap Leila’s hand inflicted on Guy, but they both broke out in laughter at the shocked expression plastered across Guy’s face. He seemed even more surprised when she didn’t run off crying to Eli, but kept right on dancing as if nothing had happened. Guy fell back into step with her quickly enough, but his hands stayed firmly on her lower back for the remainder of the song.

  Vance and Eli made it back to the table with the drinks, with Eli much calmer than he had been when they left. Guy and Leila made it back to the table shortly after them. Leila sat down next to Eli and immediately fell back into a conversation with Stephanie about fabrics. Guy avoided making eye contact with Eli, which only made Eli smile.

  It was some time later when Leila leaned over to him and whispered, “Thanks for the warning.”

  “You would have handled him even without it,” Eli said.

  She beamed at his compliment. “Can I … ” She hesitated, chewing at her bottom lip. “I’d really like to do this again. Would that be okay?”

  Inside, Eli was elated. “How do you feel about the symphony?” he asked.

  Chapter 13

  Mother’s Pearls

  Leila sandwiched her cell phone between
her shoulder and ear as she tried to pin a stray hair into place. “Come on,” Luke said in her ear, “you’ve seriously never been to the symphony?”

  “Never,” she replied, her voice slightly muffled by the awkward position.

  “Why not?”

  Leila finally got the unruly hair taken care of and grabbed her phone again. “I’ve been too busy.”

  “You’re not busy now?”

  Stumbling as she tried to latch her shoe with one hand, Leila almost dropped the phone. Once she was righted again, she said, “No, I’m still really busy. I’ve got a stack of invitation mockups to review before tomorrow, but a friend invited me so I’m going.”

  “Ana?” Luke questioned.

  Leila hesitated. She hadn’t specifically mentioned Eli to Luke. In the nearly two weeks that Leila had been telling Luke about her adventures, she had only spoken of friends in a general sense, not individual names. Guilt assaulted her even though Eli was no threat to Luke at all.

  “No,” she said, “I’m not going with Ana. My friend Eli had tickets and he offered me one. He and his friends had arranged to go and one of them had a change of plans.”

  “Oh, well that was fortunate,” Luke said. Leila didn’t miss the undertone in his voice that said he didn’t find it all that fortunate at all. “How long have you known Eli?”

  How long had it been since she first went to dinner with Eli? As she thought back to that night she was surprised to realize it had only been about three weeks. For some reason she didn’t want to admit that to Luke. “Oh, Eli is an old work friend. He always tries to include everyone.”

  “Sounds like a great guy,” he said rather flatly.

  Leila really wasn’t trying to dodge the rest of the conversation. She noticed the time when she rushed through the living room in search of her purse. “Luke, I’m sorry, but I better get going.”

  “What are you wearing to the symphony?” Luke asked before she could say goodbye.

  The sultry tone of his voice made her abandon her search. Smiling, Leila lowered herself to the couch. “A very simple black satin evening gown. I looked it up online.”

  “You looked it up online?”

  “Of course. I didn’t want to wear the wrong thing.”

  Luke seemed to find that very funny. Leila rolled her eyes and resumed the search for her purse. She found it under the coffee table. As she was standing up, Luke said, “Tell me more about the dress.”

  Leila had meant to hang up before leaving her apartment, but Luke’s question proved too irresistible. As she made her way down the three flights of stairs, she told Luke every detail of her dress, from the beading on the bodice to lightly fitted skirt that felt like a cool, liquid night as it brushed against her skin. He listened attentively. When she reached the first floor landing, her skin was flushed and her thoughts were focused on Luke. Only the arrival of a smiling Eli was able to pull her away from him, quickly.

  “Luke, my ride just got here. I have to go,” she said, desperate to end the call before Eli reached her. She thought he gave a hasty goodbye as well, but she wasn’t sure given the speed with which she shoved her phone into her purse.

  Eli grinned when she stepped out onto the street. “Leila, you look gorgeous. I didn’t see that dress last weekend when I was searching through the clothes you’d tossed all over your room. Is it new?”

  Basking in his compliment, Leila all but forgot her conversation with Luke. “Yes, it is. Anna sent me in the right direction for a symphony-worthy gown.”

  “She certainly knows her designers.”

  Leila had checked how she looked after putting the gown on, and had decided she pulled it off pretty well. The way Eli’s eyes seemed to linger on her made her think he agreed, which made her flush, and inspired an oddly guilty feeling. A niggling voice in the back of her mind knew the reason for her guilt. It whispered that it shouldn’t matter to her what Eli thought. He was just a friend. She should stay focused on Luke and his opinion of how well the snug bodice outlined the curve of her hips.

  A more sensible, but not necessarily more correct voice reminded her that she’d only been on two actual dates with Luke. And besides that, what did it matter if she enjoyed the fact that Eli thought she looked nice. It wasn’t like he was actual competition for Luke.

  Shaking away the argument inside her head, Leila finally took in Eli’s appearance. There were no jeans present today. The perfectly pressed slacks of his suit accentuated his slim hips and waist—no doubt thanks to his incurable penchant for running. Not even the vest and double breasted jacket could hide his strong shoulders and fit physique. He looked amazing. That thought made Leila’s guilt bubble back up, but she quickly silenced it.

  “Wow, Eli, I feel underdressed standing next to you.”

  “That,” he said, “is the most foolish thing you have ever said, Leila Sparro.” He reached over, took her hand, and placed it on his forearm. “You are the only thing anyone is going to notice tonight, although …”

  Leila’s eyes widened. Had she missed something? Luke had called while she was putting on mascara. Perhaps she had slipped without realizing. “What?” she asked, her free hand reaching up to check her face. Eli pulled it back down before she could ruin her makeup. He smiled, chuckling at her panic.

  “All I was going to say was that you seem to be missing something. Jewelry.”

  Heaving a big sigh of relief, Leila says, “You scared me half to death, Eli. I hardly ever wear jewelry. What little I do have didn’t go with the dress and I didn’t have any time this week to pick something out.” She paused and bit her lip. “Do you think anyone else will notice?”

  “There’s no rule saying you have to wear jewels to the symphony,” Eli said with a teasing shake of his head. “But if you’re worried about it, I think I can help, as long as you don’t mind stopping off at my apartment on the way.”

  “No, I don’t mind,” Leila said, “but I’m only worried about it because you brought it up!”

  “Then I should be the one to fix it, right?”

  Leila nodded. He better. Although, in reality she didn’t care that much about wearing jewelry. The thought of seeing where Eli lived was too enticing to resist. She often wondered what books he would have on his bookshelves. Would they all be scientific and work related? He had once commented on the brightness of her apartment. Was his a boring beige? Leila was sure he lived in a much nicer neighborhood than she did, but she had trouble picturing him living next to snooty neighbors who carried around the miniature dogs in their purses, or whatever other strange things rich people did.

  Eli helped Leila into the car and pulled into traffic with an effortless grace that Leila knew from personal experience wasn’t easy. If Eli thought she was timid when it came to dating, he’d probably lose it if he saw her drive. She was frequently getting honked at for letting gaps pass her by because in her mind there had not been enough room to pull out safely. It happened when she tried to make left turns, stopped at crosswalks, or start driving when a light turned green. It wasn’t that she was unfamiliar with big city traffic—she grew up in Grand Rapids, after all. It was just her nature to be careful.

  A surprisingly short distance later, Eli pulled into a parking garage in the Lakeshore East neighborhood. Unsure of whether he expected her to wait for him in the car or follow him up to his apartment, Leila didn’t react right away. Eli was out of the car before realizing she hadn’t moved. He leaned down and asked, “Are you coming?”

  “Oh! Yes,” Leila said before hurrying to join him.

  The quiet beep of his Audi locking was the only sound in the garage. It took a little work to keep up with Eli’s long stride while wearing her heels. Relief spread through her when she saw the elevator looming in front of them. Instant jealousy sprang up. Regardless of the fact that Leila loved her apartment and its proximity to Holstein Park, there were days when she did not like having to climb to her apartment. She watched as Eli push
ed the button for level ten, and suddenly her whining about having to mount two lousy flights of stairs vanished. If Eli’s elevator ever went out he would have a lot further to climb.

  A soft toned beep announced that they had reached Eli’s floor seconds before the doors slid open soundlessly. Leila stepped out of the elevator and was instantly enveloped in luxury. In reality, it probably was far below the penthouses and mansions of the truly affluent, but the lush carpet and beautiful sconces were a bit nicer than the faded wood paneling and bare bulbs in her apartment building. She followed behind Eli, trying to enjoy every minute.

  When they reached apartment 1071, Eli held the door open for Leila. She appreciated the gesture and strode in eagerly. She was sure Eli had analyzed very inch of her apartment, and she intended to do the same to his. He disappeared somewhere off to her right while Leila wandered through the living room. Everything was very tidy, which she expected. His leather sofas were beige, but the magenta accent rug beneath them was a surprise. As was the rusty orange wall opposite the sofas. The rich, dark hardwood floors were gorgeous. Leila couldn’t guess whether Eli had done the decorating himself or hired a designer, but she absolutely loved his apartment.

  Catching sight of a bookshelf, Leila approached it and began scanning titles. The bottom two shelves were full of old textbooks and thick books with distinguished sounding authors. Moving up the shelf, she found a very thorough collection of the classics including Dickens, Poe, and Hawthorne. Leila giggled when she saw the remaining shelves packet full of ratty looking science fiction paperbacks. She had not pegged him as a Star Wars or Ender’s Game fan, although the Asimov books weren’t that surprising.

  Next, she inspected his kitchen and noted all the sensibly colored dishes and professional cookware. The cookware inspired a few questions for later. She wanted to peek into his cupboards and refrigerator to see if Eli’s health conscious running translated to him eating boring food, but she resisted. She did, however, peek at the stack of mail lying on his counter. She didn’t try to read anything. Mainly she was looking to see if he subscribed to any magazines she might want to know about. She once walked into a date’s apartment—he needed a ride to his cousin’s engagement party—and found a stack of Playboys on the coffee table. She should have turned around right then, but of course she didn’t. She did make a hasty excuse when he tried to kiss her at the end of the date.