by Rachel Burns
The hours she worked were long, but it was worth it. This feeling was above all other feelings. She’d gotten the confirmation that she was good at her job. What more could a person want.
Besides, she hated auditions. Standing on stage and being looked over and judged was hard on anyone’s ego.
Eve had been blest and cursed with a beautiful face. Of course a person needed to look good in her line of work, but people often didn’t take her seriously. They looked at her and saw the cliché dumb blond.
Eve was far from that. She was smart and talented, but somehow she had to work harder than others to prove that fact.
Other actresses whispered behind her back that she’d probably slept with the director to get her role.
That wasn’t the case. Eve would never sleep with anyone from work, be it the director, the producer, stagehands or even a fellow actor. She remained professional.
The sad truth was that Eve hadn’t slept with anyone since she moved here. That had been a couple of years ago.
But tonight she was going to relax. She’d dance and let her hair down with the other women from the cast. She needed a night to take a step away from the play.
Eve ignored the little voice in her head that said she should be using this time to read plays that she’d been offered to act in. She needed to decide. The play she was working on would be finished in seven weeks. She needed to have something lined up, alone for health insurance reasons. She needed to be covered.
“Excuse me, ladies. I need to go powder my nose.” Eve wasn’t the kind that needed a friend to go with her to the bathroom. She was very independent.
Even when her friends and family had worried about her moving to New York, she kept her head high and told them that she’d succeed. She was so close to her goal: Broadway.
Eve was picturing Broadway in her head as she walked to the bathrooms. She didn’t notice the man in the suit until it was too late, and she’d bumped into him.
“I’m sorry. This was my fault. I was lost in thought. I’m sorry,” Eve said, brushing his suit flat.
Joshua couldn’t believe his luck. He’d bumped into the woman he’d been staring at all night. “That’s quite all right. No blood, no foul, right?” Joshua couldn’t hide his grin as he looked at the beautiful nice woman.
“You’re too kind.” Eve caught herself grinning back just as silly as he was.
“Of course, I was partly to blame. Let me introduce myself. I’m Joshua Anthony. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise, I’m Eve Temple.” She reached out her hand to him as if they were in a business meeting.
“Eve, I have a feeling that fate made us bump into each other. I’d like to buy you a drink.” Joshua was feeling very shy. Normally, he had a routine when he picked up women. It was very peculiar, but he suddenly couldn’t remember what that routine was.
“I don’t think it was fate. I think it was full bladders.” Eve liked him, but she didn’t have time for a man at this point in her life. If she wanted to make a name for herself, she had to stay on the ball. A man would demand attention and time that she just didn’t have.
“God gave us a bladder for a reason. Maybe, so we would meet,” Joshua suggested.
“That’s the worst pick up line I’ve ever heard.” Eve smiled brilliantly at him.
“Your right, and I apologize for it. There is honestly no excuse for such terrible pick up lines. Allow me to make it up to you over a drink.”
“See, that was smooth. You have to say things like that next time you want to pick up a woman.” Eve was still grinning. Why hadn’t she excused herself and gone into the bathroom yet? For what reason was she still talking to this tall, trim, good-looking, brown-haired man?
Was it because his hair was a little longer than most men wore it? Of course, he could afford to wear it longer because it had a sexy wave in it. It was also full and thick.
Eve could see now that he wasn’t going to suffer from baldness later in life. Half his hair could fall out, and he’d still have more than most men.
Why was Eve picturing herself on his lap, making love to him with her hands lodge in his hair?
Eve could hardly recognize herself.
“I don’t want to use some line on you. I want to say whatever it is that men say when they meet the woman they want to marry, but are afraid that they’ll come on too strongly,” Joshua confessed.
Eve could hardly breathe for shock. “You sounded very sincere.”
“I am,” Joshua assured her.
“How can you be? We just bumped into one another. You don’t know me, and you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.”
“I’m not judging you by your looks. Needless to say, you look amazing. You’re honestly the most beautiful woman, I’ve ever seen. Instead, I’m judging you by the way you’re making my heart feel. I know that if I let you walk away from me, I’ll regret it and think about you every day for the rest of my life.”
Joshua heard the words coming out of his mouth, and he told himself that he was coming on too strongly, but he meant it when he said this was a chance he couldn’t let slip by. He was completely taken with her.
Joshua stepped closer to Eve. “I don’t want to regret not trying to get to know you. Can you understand something like that?”
“I guess so.” This was the most romantic moment in Eve’s life. She felt as if she were in awe. How was she supposed to respond to him?
“Would you let me buy you a drink?” Joshua offered.
“I have a suspicion that you go out often and pick up girls.” Eve wanted to protect herself. She couldn’t afford to do anything dumb.
“I swear I’m here with my friends. We aren’t here to pick up women. If you’d join me at our table, they’d be happy to show you pictures of their wives and children. They aren’t the kind of men who I’d go out with to pick up women.”
That tonight was an exception, and that he usually did go out to find a woman to sleep with for the night was something that he couldn’t tell this beautiful nice woman. It would only insult her, and she wasn’t the kind of woman that he’d let anyone insult.
Eve looked over at his friends. They were watching them. They looked like married men. None of them were checking out the women here. In fact, they looked annoyed that Joshua was talking to her.
“Are you married?” she asked him.
“No. How could I be? We haven’t met yet.” He was grinning form ear to ear.
Had Joshua just proposed to her? Eve wasn't sure if he was sincere.
Joshua was tasking himself the same thing. So what? If she said yes, he could live with that. He could suddenly understand what his friends were talking about. He wouldn’t need other women if he had the right one.
“Listen, Eve, I'm sorry for being such a fool about this, but I’d really like to get to know you. If that would be something that you’re interested in, I’ll be over at the table with my friends dreaming about you. If you come over, I’ll ditch them and spend the evening getting to know you.”
“That doesn’t sound like you’re a very good friend?”
“This is the most important night of my life. If they don’t understand that, then they aren’t very good friends.”
“I still have to go to the bathroom.” Eve realized that she was leaning towards him. She straightened up. “It was very nice meeting you.”
Joshua couldn’t hide his disappointment. “The pleasure was all mine, Eve.”
Eve smiled at him and went to the bathroom.
“Eve, stop.”
“I really have to go,” she told him.
Joshua grinned at her. “Yes, but that’s the men’s room.”
Color flooded her cheeks. “Oh. How embarrassing. Thank you for pointing that out.”
“I was glad to. Goodbye, Eve.”
“Goodbye, Joshua.”
For some reason, Joshua couldn’t return to his table. He wanted to stay by Eve. He waited for her to come out.
Joshua stood up straight when she came out. “Hello, Eve. I forgot to ask you something.”
“What was it?” Eve wondered.
“Will you dance with me?” He had a grin on his face, but it was impossible to look at her and not smile.
“I’m here with my friends. It’s an all girl’s evening.”
“Of course. I understand. I hope you have a lovely evening.” He turned away to go back to his table. Sadly, he hadn’t been able to charm her.
“Wait,” Eve called to him.
Joshua spun around on his heels.
“I suppose one dance wouldn’t hurt,” she said, uncertain.
“I swear it won’t hurt. I’d never step on your toes.”
He looked so eager that Eve had to smile.
Joshua took hold of her hand and walked her to the middle of the dance floor. A slow song started. Joshua felt that fate was taking their hands as they began to dance.
He longed to say something clever to her, but he couldn’t think of anything, so he just smiled at her.
Eve was thinking the same thing.
When the song ended, she didn’t want to let go of him. Her hand lingered on his shoulder.
Joshua had his hand on her waist. Slowly, he removed it and let go of her hand. He looked down at her hoping that he’d think of something clever to say.
“I have to return to my friends.” Eve took a step away from him. Then she turned back to him. “Thank you for the dance, Josh.”
“You’re welcome.” He watched her walk back to the table she shared with her friends.
Joshua was on cloud nine when he returned to the table. “Did you guys see her?”
“Yes,” they answered bored.
“She’s the one,” Joshua told them.
“I’m sure she is. Let’s make a toast to all the beautiful ladies in the world.” Ethan lifted his glass up.
“To the beautiful ladies,” Kyle and Matt repeated.
“To Eve,” Joshua said.
After he set his glass down, he told his friends about her, saying that he told her that he’d ditch them if she came over. He insisted that she was the one several times.
His friends didn’t regret giving him the few drops. They were watching him closely. They figured that he talked that way every night.
Joshua watched Eve return to her friends and talk all evening. When he told his friends that he was heartbroken, they didn’t believe him. They thought that it was the drops talking.
None of them considered the possibility that Joshua might really be in love.
Chapter 3
Eve caught herself looking over at Joshua again and again. She felt stupid doing it. Each time he was staring at her. He stayed by his friends, and he didn’t hit on anyone else. That was a good sign, wasn't it?
“I think it’s time to call it a night,” one of Eve’s friends announced at ten. “We have to be at the theater so early tomorrow.”
Eve nodded at her. “You’re right.”
They gathered their things and left one by one. Eve lingered by their table, because she wanted to be the last one to leave. She planned to go over to Joshua and giving him her phone number. It felt like a silly thing to do, but she couldn’t get him out of her mind.
When her friends were gone, she went to his table. “Hello. I’m sorry for interrupting.”
Joshua stood and smiled at her. “You aren’t interrupting. Please have a seat.”
“No, I have to work in the morning. I need to get to bed.”
“I’ll take you,” Joshua offered, grabbing his coat.
“Excuse me?” Eve replied, offended. He was being too pushy.
“I’ll be happy to escort you home.” Joshua didn’t realize that he’d offended her.
“I’m fine. I just wanted to give you my phone number. I thought we could talk a little. You said you wanted to get to know me.” Eve was feeling very unsure.
“I’d like nothing better. But I insist on taking you home. All kinds of clowns are out at this time of night.”
“It’s just ten,” Eve pointed out.
“Already?” Joshua looked at his watch. “It was great seeing you guys. We have to meet up more often.” He gave Matt a fifty-dollar bill. “Could you please pay for me? I need to see to it that Eve gets home safely. Put the change in Brandon's piggy bank.”
Matt nodded and called for the check. They needed to hurry, so they could follow Joshua.
Joshua and Eve left smiling at one another.
Kyle gave Matt some money too. “Stay here. I’ll follow them. This was my fault.”
Kyle was able to catch a cab and follow Joshua. He felt cool asking the driver to follow the cab in front of them. When he received a mean look, he explained that he was a cop and showed him his badge.
Kyle followed Joshua right to his apartment. He saw Joshua and Eve go in.
“Please, bring me back to the club. I have all the information I need,” Kyle told the driver.
Matt and Ethan were surprised to see Kyle return so quickly.
“He’s at home, with her. Either we didn’t give him enough, or they weren’t knockout drops to begin with,” he reasoned. “He looked fine.”
“It’s a shame. He’d be a great husband if he used all that attention and just gave it to one woman,” Ethan stated.
“He’d be a great father too. I know he loves my kids. He always plays baseball with Brandon when he comes over,” Matt said.
“He visits you?” Ethan asked.
“He’s Brandon’s godfather. He takes that seriously. He never misses his birthday, and he goes to some of Brandon’s games. I’m telling you guys, at heart Joshua wants to settle down and be a daddy.”
“I’ll believe that when I see it.” Ethan lifted his glass and took a sip.
Kyle took and napkin and shoved it into Joshua’s drink.
“Why did you do that?” Matt asked.
“So no one will drink it. Just in case,” Kyle answered.
Chapter 4
Joshua was pleased to see Mr. Johnson standing by the door. Normally, the night doorman let him in when he came home.
“Mr. Johnson, I’d like to introduce this amazing person. This is Eve Temple.” Joshua spoke like he was introducing a movie star or the President.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Temple.” Timothy Johnson held the door wide open for them.
“It’s nice meeting you too, Mr. Johnson.” Eve gave him a nice smile.
Mr. Johnson jumped ahead of them and called the elevator for them. He was glad to see that Joshua was finally bringing home a nice lady. He hoped they get together. It was time for Joshua to settle down and devote himself to one woman. Mr. Johnson wanted the best for all the occupants of the house. He saw them as his family.
As soon as Joshua and Eve were in the elevator, he returned to his post. The Adams were returning from their nightly walk. He held the door open especially wide, so Gina would fit through. She was already in her seventh month.
Her husband, Alexander, was taking especially good care of her. He’d been a widower before he met Gina, so he worried as much as a man could about his family. He knew what was the most important thing in life.
“How was your walk?” he asked them.
“We didn’t get that far this evening,” Gina confessed.
“There was a hot dog vender in the park,” Alexander explained. “Gina got a craving.” He smiled at his wife proudly.
“You had one too, Daddy. It wasn’t only me who was eating for two,” Gina pouted.
“Of course, I did. They smelt so good I couldn’t help myself.” Alexander feared that Gina would cry. She cried so much lately.
“They really did smell good,” she agreed with him. Gina was sensitive about getting fat.
Mrs. Kennedy was also pregnant. She complained about not being fat enough. She wanted a rounded tummy, so everyone would know that they were having a baby.
Women were different that way. Robin wanted to look
pregnant, so she’d be more womanly. Gina wanted to be thin, so she’d feel like she normally did.
Both women called their husbands daddy. That was common in the building. The men here took care of their wives and loved them the way they were without trying to change them.
Mr. Johnson and his friends saw it as their job to make sure that there was harmony in the building.
He said good night to them, and they went up to their apartment because it was Gina’s bedtime. She needed to brush her teeth, get a fresh diaper, say her prayers and get to bed.
Joshua opened the door of his apartment and smiled at Eve. It was clear that she never went home with a man. This was something special for her. He was set on making this evening something to remember for both of them.
“You have a lovely home. It looks like a woman designed everything,” she commented.
“That’s because one did. My cousin is an interior decorator. I let her do everything. The only thing I told her that I needed was a huge TV and comfortable place to sit, so I could watch it. She has great taste, doesn’t she?”
Eve looked around impressed.
“I just made myself sound like a couch potato, didn’t I? I just watch baseball or maybe a movie in the evening, but otherwise I don’t. You’re probably picturing me sitting around with a can of beer in my hand. I don’t do that. Often,” he corrected himself, with a smile on his handsome face.
Eve smiled at him. He was nervous. She liked that. It meant that this was really a big deal for him.
She didn’t want to be a one-night-stand. If she started something with a man, then she should be special to him. Joshua was giving her the feeling that she was special.
Her quietness was making him nervous. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, thank you. I had so much to drink at the club.”
“Do you want something to eat? I could make you something, or I could call for food.”
“You can do that here?” she asked.
“Yes, this place is great.”