Evva's POV
"Evva, be honest," she said, turning to face me, the top held against her chest. "Do I look like I'm about to join a disco, or is this actually...cool?"
I tilted my head, studying her."It's definitely got that 'Grace' vibe," I said with a smile.
Grace scrunched up her nose. "I don't know... it's a little out there, even for me. Alright then," she declared, a hint of determination in her voice. "Let me try it on and see the magic." She disappeared behind the floral curtain of the tiny trial space.
While Grace was gone, I started browsing through a rack of chic tops,
A silky camisole in a deep sapphire caught my eye, and then a beautifully tailored linen blouse in a soft cream. I held them up, imagining different ways to style them.
Just as I was considering a delicate knit top with intricate embroidery, the curtain of the trial room swished open, and Grace emerged. The sequined top shimmered under the shop lights, and surprisingly...it worked. The bold colors brought out a warmth in her complexion I hadn't noticed before, and the sequins added a playful sparkle to her eyes.
"Well?" she asked, striking a slightly awkward pose. "Disco disaster or surprisingly wearable?"
"Grace, wow! It actually looks amazing on you!" I exclaimed, genuinely surprised. "The colors are fantastic with your skin tone, and it just has this really fun energy about it."
Grace looked at her reflection, a slow smile spreading across her face. "Really? You don't think it's too much?"
"Not at all! It's bold, yes, but it totally suits you. You have to get it. Imagine it with some dark wash jeans and your favorite boots? Instant cool."
Her eyes lit up. "Ooh, yeah! I can totally see that." She did a little shimmy, the sequins catching the light. "Okay, you've convinced me. Disco queen, here I come!" She grinned. "Your turn! Find anything good for yourself".
/ /
Emerging from the vintage shop, our arms were laden with shopping bags filled with our newfound treasures.
"All that digging definitely warrants a proper reward," I declared, the cool evening air feeling refreshing after the stuffy shop. "I'm starving. How about we head to that little Italian place on Mulberry Street? Their pasta is divine."
"Oh, yes! Absolutely," Grace agreed immediately, her enthusiasm still high from our successful shopping spree. "Lasagna is calling my name."
Then, a playful glint entered my eyes. "Speaking of treats..." I began, drawing out the word mischievously. "Didn't someone mention something about late-night pizza during our earlier call?"
Grace's face, which had been alight with the prospect of lasagna, suddenly fell in mock despair. Her lower lip trembled dramatically, and she clutched her shopping bags to her chest. "Oh, the pizza! You remember that, don't you?" she groaned theatrically. "That was before the siren call of sequins and the allure of perfectly worn leather hijacked my budget!"
I chuckled, nudging her playfully with my elbow. "Hey, a promise is a promise! Besides," I added with a wink, "I'm sure we can manage both. Lasagna for sustenance, pizza for...a post-vintage victory celebration?"
Grace's faux misery vanished, replaced by a wide grin. "You know what? You're absolutely right! We did conquer the East Village. We deserve all the carbs! Lasagna first, then glorious, cheesy pizza. It's a plan!"
We continued our walk, the earlier exhaustion replaced by a renewed energy fueled by the prospect of good food and good company. The weight of our shopping bags felt lighter somehow, a tangible reminder of our successful afternoon and the promise of a delicious evening ahead.
///
The aroma of garlic, oregano, and melting cheese enveloped us as we stepped into the cozy Italian restaurant on Mulberry Street. The warm lighting and the chatter of happy diners created a welcoming atmosphere. We were quickly shown to a small table by the window, perfect for people-watching.
Menus in hand, we didn't take long to decide. Lasagna was the unanimous choice, accompanied by a shared bottle of a robust red wine. Soon, two steaming plates of the layered pasta arrived, the rich tomato sauce bubbling around the edges, the melted mozzarella a golden brown. We eagerly dug in, the first few bites met with contented sighs.
"Mmm," I murmured, savoring the rich flavors. "This is exactly what I needed after all that retail therapy. Honestly, it's such a good idea you suggested coming here. I'm way too tired to even think about attempting to cook something for us back at my place."
Grace paused mid-bite, a playful smirk spreading across her face. "Us?" she echoed, her eyebrows raised in mock surprise.
I chuckled, wiping a bit of sauce from my chin with a napkin. "Well, yes, 'us'," I replied, taking another satisfying forkful of lasagna. "Unless you were planning on magically teleporting back to your apartment in the West Village at this ungodly hour?" I gestured to the dimly lit street outside.
Grace took another slow bite of her lasagna, a sigh escaping her lips. "You know what? You're right," she conceded, her earlier playful tone softening. "The thought of navigating the subway this late... no, thank you. I am equally tired, to be honest. That vintage shop energy drain is real. She paused, then looked up at me. "So, crashing at the fabulous penthouse it is? If you're sure it's not too much trouble."
"Of course not," I retorted, winking. "But first, let's conquer this lasagna. My energy levels are directly proportional to the amount of cheesy pasta I consume."
We continued to eat in comfortable silence for a few moments, the only sounds the clinking of our forks and the low hum of conversation around us. The warmth of the food and the wine began to chase away the last vestiges of the day's exhaustion. It was good to be with Grace, sharing a simple meal and easy companionship. Even amidst the whirlwind of my often-glamorous life, these grounded moments with her were the ones I truly cherished.
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Lev's POV
Lev and Liam had moved from the dining table to the comfortable leather sofas in the spacious living area. Their conversation, which had now shifted to more personal topics - Liam's experiences moving from Los Angeles to New York for the project, and Lev's insights into the city's unique energy.
Just as Lev was about to ask Liam about the challenges of managing a bi-coastal life, Liam's phone buzzed on the coffee table. He glanced at the caller ID and a warm smile spread across his face. "It's Maria," he said, picking up the phone. "My wife."
"Please," Lev gestured casually.
Liam answered, his voice softening. "Hey, honey... How are things back there?"
Lev tried to focus on the city lights, not wanting to eavesdrop, but the acoustics of the large room carried Liam's side of the conversation clearly. He heard Liam chuckle a few times, his tone affectionate. Then, a series of soft, indistinct sounds emanated from the phone - cooing, gurgling, and the happy babbling of a very young child.
"And how's my little Ivy?" Liam asked, his smile widening. "What's she saying now? Tell Daddy." He listened intently, a fond expression on his face. "Oh, is that so? You think so too, huh?" He laughed again, a genuine, heartfelt sound.
Lev couldn't help but smile slightly himself. There was something undeniably endearing about a father's interaction with his young child. He imagined the small, babbling sounds coming from the other end of the line, a tiny voice full of innocent joy.
Just then, Lev's mother, Evelyn, entered the living room. She paused, noticing Liam's laughter and the absorbed look on his face as he spoke into the phone. Her eyes flickered between Liam and Lev, a curious and slightly amused expression on her face. She raised a subtle eyebrow, a silent question hanging in the air: What's so funny on that call?
Liam chuckled softly into the phone. "Hold on a second, honey. Mrs. Petrov just came in. You want to say hi?" He held the phone out slightly towards Lev's mother, a warm invitation in his eyes.
Evelyn, her curiosity piqued, stepped closer with a gracious smile. "Oh, hello dear," she said warmly towards the phone.
Before Maria could respond, Lev leaned forward slightly, a smile also on his face. "That's your younger daughter we can hear, Liam," he interjected gently, a hint of amusement in his voice. "The enthusiastic babbling is unmistakable."
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Author's Pov
Ten minutes of further pleasant conversation ensued, the easy camaraderie between Lev and Liam solidifying. They spoke more about the upcoming week's agenda for the RusTech project, interspersed with lighter anecdotes about the challenges of navigating New York City.
Finally, Liam glanced at his watch, a slight widening of his eyes indicating the late hour. "Well," he said, rising from the couch with a polite smile. "I should probably get going. It's already eleven, and as we all know, Monday mornings in this city wait for no one."
He turned to Evelyn, offering a warm hug. "Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality, Mrs. Petrov. It was a truly lovely evening."
"The pleasure was all ours, Liam," Evelyn replied, patting his arm affectionately. "Do come again soon."
He then offered a handshake and a respectful nod to Dmitriy. "Mr. Petrov, it was a pleasure."
Dmitriy, in his characteristic quiet manner, simply nodded in return.
Turning to Ania, Liam ruffled her hair playfully. "Good luck with those sketches, Ania. Maybe one day you'll be designing the interiors for RusTech's next big project."
Ania grinned. "I wouldn't say no to that!"
Finally, he turned to Lev, extending his hand. They clasped hands warmly, a sense of mutual respect evident in their exchange. "Lev, thank you again for having me. I enjoyed our conversation tonight, outside of the usual boardroom setting."
"Likewise, Liam," Lev replied. "It was good to connect on a more personal level. I'll walk you downstairs."
Turning to his family, Lev said, "I'll see you all in a bit." He then followed Liam towards the apartment door.
Lev accompanied Liam down the silent, plush hallway to the elevator. They continued their conversation in hushed tones, a comfortable silence punctuated by the rhythmic descent. Outside the building, the city air was cool and carried the distant hum of traffic. Liam's sleek black car was parked a short distance away.
They shook hands again by the car door. "Good night, Liam. See you bright and early tomorrow," Lev said, a hint of anticipation for the week ahead in his voice.
"Good night, Lev. And thanks again for everything," Liam replied with a genuine smile. He opened the car door and slid into the driver's seat. Lev watched as Liam inserted the key into the ignition and turned it.
Nothing.
Liam tried again. Still, the engine remained stubbornly silent. He frowned, a look of confusion washing over his face. He tried a third time, but only a faint clicking sound echoed in the night air.
Lev, who had been about to turn back towards the building, stopped, a crease forming on his brow. He walked over to Liam's open window, a concerned expression replacing his earlier pleasant demeanor. "Everything alright?" he asked, leaning slightly closer. "Car trouble?"
Liam ran his hand through his hair, a frustrated sigh escaping his lips. "I don't know what's wrong," he said, his voice tinged with annoyance. He turned the key in the ignition again, the same disheartening silence greeting him.
Lev frowned, his gaze fixed on the unresponsive car. "I think the car..." he started, a thought forming in his mind. "Let me drop you back to your hotel, Liam. It's no trouble at all."
Liam, ever the polite guest, shook his head. "Oh no, Lev, please don't trouble yourself. I can easily grab a cab from here. It's really no problem."
Lev gave a small, wry smile. "Nonsense, Liam. It's perfectly fine. Besides," he added, a hint of amusement in his tone, "Liam Davis shouldn't be seen hailing a cab on a Monday morning eve in this part of town, wouldn't you agree?" He chuckled lightly.
Liam couldn't help but return the smile. He knew Lev had a point, and frankly, the prospect of waiting for a cab after a long day wasn't appealing. "Alright," he conceded, a touch of relief in his voice. "If you're sure it's no bother."
Liam then came out of his car, looking slightly sheepish in the dimly lit parking area outside Lev's penthouse.
Lev nodded and walked back towards the entrance of the parking garage. He wanted to quickly grab his car keys from his apartment and let his mother and sister know that he would be out for a few more minutes, giving Liam a ride back to his hotel.
In less than five minutes , Lev reappeared, his car keys jingling in his hand as he walked back to where Liam was waiting near his stalled vehicle. Lev unlocked his car, which was parked a few spaces away within the parking garage, and Liam settled into the passenger seat.
Lev started the engine, the smooth purr echoing in the enclosed space. "Alright, Liam," he said, glancing over as he maneuvered his car out of the parking spot. "Back to your hotel it is."
Lev drove towards the exit of the parking garage and then onto the city streets, heading towards Liam's hotel a few blocks away. The unexpected end to their evening in the building's parking area had created an unforeseen extension to their interaction.
//
As Lev carefully navigated the car onto Mulberry Street, the evening bustle still vibrant around them, a figure suddenly darted out from between two parked cars directly into their path. Lev reacted instantly, slamming on the brakes and gripping the steering wheel, the tires screeching slightly against the asphalt. Thankfully, he managed to bring the car to a halt just inches away from the startled pedestrian.
Both Lev and Liam exchanged wide-eyed glances, a shared jolt of adrenaline coursing through them. They immediately got out of the car, concern etched on their faces. The pedestrian was a young woman, her eyes wide with surprise and her hand clutched to her chest. Another woman was kneeling beside her, her brow was furrowed with worry as she reached out and placed a steadying hand on the girl's arm.
"Are you alright?" Lev asked, his voice filled with genuine concern as he approached them.
The woman who had almost been hit was still breathing a little rapidly, her eyes wide with the shock of the sudden near-miss. The woman beside her looked up at the sound of Lev's voice. Her gaze met Liam's, and a flicker of surprise crossed her features.
"Evva?" Liam exclaimed, recognizing her instantly.
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