Exception (4 page)

A
FTER WORKING
like a crazy person to finish her week’s load by Friday morning, while still making some time to enjoy her friend’s company during their anni-friend-sary celebrations, Emily was beyond happy to enter the spa for a much needed pampering session before getting ready for the benefit party she’d be attending with Zack that night.

Because of their jobs, both Emily and Zack were invited to a large number of social events, ranging from benefits for charities, to book launches and events, and dinners with influential people. Luckily, they shared the same views on these events: though important for their careers, they were insufferable when attended alone. That thought kick-started an agreement in the very beginning of their friendship that Jody named “The Function Buddy Deal”.

The Function Buddy Deal, or FBD, mainly stated that they would be each other’s plus one in any kind of professional or social function. It was a logical and practical decision since they were both single, always had fun together and looked equally attractive in formalwear. In Emily’s eyes having a FB had a bonus advantage: even though most people at those events knew that Zack was gay, his presence decreased the number of men approaching her significantly, which allowed her to enjoy the events a bit more.

When she left the salon, her hands and feet were done to perfection and coated in shining black nail polish. Her eyebrows had been plucked and her hair had been washed, blow-dried and styled in soft waves that gave her an effortless sexy look.

At precisely seven thirty Zack let himself into Emily’s apartment, shouting his greeting and following Jody’s voice to Emily’s bedroom. His face twisted into a frown upon hearing his date’s low curses.

“It’s seven thirty Ems, you’re late,” he reprimanded, staring at his friend as she fussed with her jewelry. The gorgeous hair and incredible make-up accenting her beautiful face was a funny contrast to her ridiculous ensemble of a blue Betsy Johnson short robe and red crocs. “Nice look by the way, very effortless.”

“Ha ha, really funny! And keep your panties on, I just have to put the dress and shoes on and we’re good to go. I was telling Jody that Laura kept me on the phone for forty minutes. She wants me to meet some publishing people in NYC. She’ll call back when she has dates and whatnot, but I’ll probably need my FB.”

She put her simple crystal studs in her ears and wrapped a matching bracelet around her wrist, then winked at Zack and began unwrapping her robe as she walked to her bed and the dress waiting for her. Removing the robe, she revealed the black satin and lace strapless bodysuit with gray silk trims she was wearing. The bodice was corseted with a plunging sweetheart neckline and low-cut back, accentuating every curve of her body.

“Also, Charlie called, and she’s pregnant,” she chirped animatedly.

Silence was not the reaction she’d expected Zack and Jody to have concerning her sister’s pregnancy. While her hands grabbed the dress that lay atop her bed, she peeked over her shoulder to investigate their strange reactions. What she saw made her remember the cartoons she’d watched as a child, where the eyes of the characters jumped from their sockets and their jaws dropped all the way to the floor. As funny as it was, their reaction had her feeling self-conscious.

Emily stared down at her body to see if there was something wrong. Satisfied that everything was where it was supposed to be, she looked up, annoyed at her shocked friends. “What?” she asked.

“Damn, girl, as far as I knew, I was the only one trying to seduce a man tonight,” Zack said shaking the shock from his head.

“For someone who’s achieved nun-like status, that’s an interesting choice underwear.” Jody giggled and nudged her elbow into Zack’s side. “If she wears that when she’s single, just imagine what she wears when she’s trying to impress.”

“Weird as our dear Cheesecake is, probably those jammies from this morning,” Zack said, and they both started laughing uncontrollably.

Emily raised one eyebrow at her friends and shook her head, slipping into her cherry red bandage dress. “It’s just to keep everything in place in this very tight dress, you tools. Now shut up and zip me.”

Her two friends were laughing so hard that Jody had difficulty zipping up Emily’s dress.

The dress was fitted with a deep V that started at the curve of her shoulders and ended low in her chest. The fabric hugged her breasts enough to prevent any inappropriate cleavage but showed enough skin to be sexy. Thick straps crossed her shoulders and the knee-length skirt secured the appropriateness of the outfit. A crystal studded headband, very high black satin heels and a matching clutch just big enough to hold her iPhone, lipstick and driver’s license finished her look.

“I’m ready. So how do I look?” she asked, turning to her friends.

“Beautiful, as always, darling,” Zack said with an honest smile as he walked towards the front door and held it open for his friends.

Saying their goodbyes to Jody and climbing into Emily’s blue Prius, they drove to the old warehouse that had been converted into a party hall. Being an event in support of the treatment of children’s cancer, the décor was beautifully done in gold and white. Flowers and candles adorned the large tables distributed evenly around a large stage and a white dance floor.

With arms interlocked they made their way through the hall until they found their designated table. They greeted the group of Zack’s colleagues who sat, talking around it. All of them but one man were familiar to Emily.

It was no secret to either Emily or Jody that Zack had been flirting with a blond lawyer, who, according to Zack, had been made by the gods as a gift to his eyes. Noticing the way her best friend fidgeted around the tall, fair-haired, handsome stranger, Emily was pretty sure he was the one.

“Ems, this is Tobias Darcy. Toby, this is my best friend, Emily Watson,” Zack introduced with a proud smile, gesturing between the two.

Emily squared her shoulders and shook Toby’s extended hand with a sweet smile, relaxing once the physical contact was over. “Hello Mr. Darcy, I’m delighted to make your acquaintance.”

The reference to Austen was to be expected since Emily loved the author, but it still made Zack roll his eyes.

“As am I, Miss Watson.” Toby’s tone and smile screamed anxiety. “Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld!”

The comment made Emily blush and laugh at the same time; she always pictured herself as a mixture of Lizzy and Darcy, never as Jane, which made the quote sound funny to her ears. However, the fact that he could quote Austen and was making an effort to play along and impress her made her warm up to him instantly.

“Mr. Darcy is all politeness,” she quoted, shifting her eyes from Toby to Zack, her eyes and smile showing her approval. “But I do believe that line belongs to Mr. Bingley,” she replied and then went on to change the subject, asking him questions about himself and his work.

Their animated conversation continued throughout the cocktail hour and the dinner. Toby was excellent company: funny, smart, attentive and, in more ways than one, the perfect match for Zack.

After dinner, Doctor Neil Stewart, the chief of surgery and ultimately, Zack’s boss, took the stage for a long speech, explaining the reasons for their event and how the valuable donations made that night would improve the cancer treatment for children. When he mentioned Zack’s involvement in the new protocol, Emily noticed that Toby had the same beaming pride shining in his face as she had.

With the dance floor occupied by most of the partygoers, Zack and Emily joined the floor for a dance. As always, her movements were awkward; it was clear she wanted to be anywhere but on that crowded floor. With some regret, she noticed Toby was sitting alone, staring at her and Zack with a sad look in his eyes. She knew Zack had noticed as well, but as her FB he would never leave her side willingly. She’d have to push him.

Guiding Zack by the hand, she returned to the table and stood in front of Toby. “Come, Darcy, I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner,” Emily quoted to him, using her best British accent.

Toby laughed at her reference and continued her game. “I certainly shall not. You are dancing with the only handsome . . . person in the room.”

“I do believe you joined two of your lines, sir.” She giggled and cleared her throat. “Mr. Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner. You cannot refuse to dance, I am sure, when so much beauty is before you.”

Toby laughed and Zack searched Emily’s face, making his reticence clear. Shaking her head and rolling her eyes, she placed her best friend’s hand in Toby’s.

“You really don’t mind?” Zack asked, worry etched into his every word.

“Of course not,” she replied happily, “and besides, my feet are killing me. Now go have fun with your Mr. Darcy, Fruitcake.”

As soon as the two men started making their way to the dance floor, Emily sat on a chair and removed her shoes, moving her toes and enjoying the sweet relief. Retrieving her phone from her clutch, she typed a text to Jody singing the praises of Toby. Knowing how crowded Old Joe’s would be on a Friday night, Emily placed her phone back on top of the table and distracted herself by scanning the room, in search of those laughable moments that tend to happen at parties. Her eyes found a couple shamelessly groping each other in a dark corner, before scanning over to a group of young men who, for some reason, had moved their neckties to their foreheads while making some sort of chicken dance.

As always, a few single men approached her with invitations to the dance floor, which she politely declined. The idea of a stranger with his arms around her gave her the chills. She was just dismissing the third hopeful when the screen of her phone lit up with an incoming text from Jody.

Jody: Yay 4 Z! When r u coming back? Will u stop here? XX

Emily: Don’t know, but I’m guessing soon and probably. Why?

Jody: There’s a guy here (HOT, btw) named Taylor asking 4 u. He said u r friends!? Show him out or not?

Emily stared at her phone as if it had grown legs. As much as she would like to stop them, her lips turned into a smile. She had enjoyed talking to Taylor more than she cared to admit and, despite how busy she’d been since meeting him, his face and the carefree feeling he ignited inside of her kept popping into her mind.

She read the text twice before typing her reply with the smallest smile on her lips, making sure not to allow the excitement she was feeling about talking to him again show too much.

Emily: Not. Tell him not to abuse my good connections. B there soon. XX

Jody: OK, explain later?

Emily typed a quick “yes” before packing her phone in her clutch, fitting her feet back inside her shoes and walking towards Zack on the dance floor.

When she approached him expressing her desire to leave the party and go to Old Joe’s so she could meet her new friend, he was extremely eager to follow. Despite how much he was enjoying himself and Toby’s company, there were too many curious eyes on them, and hospital gossip wasn’t something he was comfortable with.

Their goodbyes to their tablemates and other friendly faces were quick, but not painless for Emily. The late hour and the abundance of free drinks turned a few of the doctors in attendance, including Doctor Neil Stewart, very grabby.

“One of these days you’ll have to dance with the man, Cheesecake,” Zack informed his friend once they were safe in the confinement of her car. “Every event you promise him a dance on the next. If he ever decides to cash in those promises, you’ll be dancing with him the entire night.”

“You’re the only man I dance with Z, and he’ll never remember my promises.” Zack stole a quizzical glance at his friend, making her giggle. “I only promise him dances when he’s already drunk.”

Zack laughed at her reasoning. “He really drinks quite a bit, doesn’t he?”

“Yeah, like Jody, but without her superpowers . . . someone should talk to him about it,” she suggested, trying to stifle her giggles and convey seriousness.

Both friends were still laughing when Emily took her car from the parking space and turned in the direction of Old Joe’s. From behind the wheel, she watched Zack typing the restaurant’s address to Toby. The corners of her lips tugged with a smile.