The Children’s Aid Society of New York State was not unknown to the Mastrosimone family.  In fact, it had played a rather large role in bringing Billy and Aurora together. Their eldest daughter Brigitte had been a passenger on one of the many Orphan Trains funded by the organization.  For this reason, among others, the family had kept tabs on it’s growth and stability. Even after the deaths of Aurora & Billy, and Brigitte herself - Tara & Oriana Montini had managed to keep abreast of it’s financial situation. 

When its key supporters raised an alarm that needs were high, and fund-raising efforts began again, not only did they get a check from the Mastrosimone Trust, but Tara made a point of letting the residents of the house in Dyker Heights know the situation.  So it was that the ‘triplets’ went to visit with Mabel Brace, the widow of the Children’s Aid Society’s founder Mr. Edward Brace.  

Edward had been a lawyer and a graduate of Columbia, which gave Jack a bit to discuss with Mrs. Brace.  Mabel found Isabella to be charming and a good conversationalist. The two of them talked briefly about future endeavors that she might be able to help with.  

However, of the three, it was Antony who hit it off most famously with Mabel.  The old woman was clearly lonely. When she wasn’t working for her husband’s charity, Antony wasn’t sure she had much in the way of company.  And so as the afternoon drifted on, he made a point to pour her tea and flirtatiously call her ‘young lady’ and comment on her perfume and the curl to her hair.  The old woman laughed often, and blushed incessantly.

This, of course, was how two weeks later, Antony found himself putting on a tuxedo for the first time in his adult life.  Mrs. Brace’s most trusted bodyguard was recovering from gallbladder removal and could not accompany her to the charity’s annual black tie gala - so naturally, she reached out to him.

Jack thought the whole situation was amusing as fuck.  He made every joke under the sun about dating a woman old enough to be his great-grandmother.  Izzy had thought it was sweet and did her best to silence her twin’s worst comments, but couldn’t help but occasionally crack a smile as the day wore on.

For his part, Antony took the job seriously.  He prepared for protecting his charge and also to make sure she was going to have a nice time.  He wondered how many more years she’d have going to such events - or if she did go to them, how often she might find the strength to take a turn around the ballroom.  Well, tonight she’d have a good time. It was the least he could do. Antony picked up a corsage of flowers and a matching boutonniere for himself. He arrived at her house ten minutes prior to the time he said he would, making sure to give the home a once over before securing it for their departure.

Taking his date by her frail hand, he politely escorted her to the car and helped her into her seat before putting the flower around her wrist and navigating New York traffic to the hotel in downtown Manhattan where the gala was taking place.

Up the long red carpet they walked arm in arm, the older woman talking to everyone she met along the way.  The newspapers took pictures of her, and Antony did his best to politely stay out of the shots insisting he was just the help.  Of course, he suspected tongues would be wagging for some time to come and by the smile on the old woman’s face - he guessed she liked it that way.  It was exciting and while Antony didn’t think the night would prove very eventful for him, he was determined that Mabel would have the time of her life.

The decorations were breathtaking.  It was a charity organization and yet, the place was dripping with opulence.  The men and women in attendance we wearing clothing and jewels that could house and clothe children for years, in some ways it annoyed him.  And yet, based on the ticket prices, Antony guessed the guests paid five-times what the dinner was going to be worth just to get in the door.  That said nothing of what they’d put down in the auction later in the evening.  

Mabel and Anthony walked past the tables where some of the items donated for auction were being displayed.  There was a fair amount of jewelry, tickets for trips to exotic locations, art, and even a bottle of wine that was nearly one hundred years old.  

As they reached the end of the table, they came to two women collecting items to be auctioned off.  Mabel greeted the elderly women and introduced them to Antony, who smirked devilishly as he became more and more aware that she was enjoying bragging about his company.

“I assure you, the pleasure is all mine.”  He insisted with a playful wink, when she spoke to them about how nice it was that Antony had agreed to be her date.  The elderly women were crackling like hens.  He could feel their eyes on him, but he pretended not to notice, keeping his eyes looking about the room watching for potential threats.  Of course, there weren’t any.  This place was about as secure as Fort Knox.      

“Did you bring something with you to auction of Mabel?”  

“Oh, no, I didn’t know of a single thing I have that would be of interest to anyone.”

The fatter of the two old women, Antony thought her name was Polly, giggled like a school girl. “It’s too bad you can’t put that young man up on the auction block.  I bet he’d fetch a good price.”

The other woman, Gladys, gasped pretending to be scandalized.  

Mabel laughed.  “Oh!  Listen to you!  This poor young man shall never want to come call upon me again if I do something like that to him.”

Antony smirked, glancing over his shoulder at the ladies, causing them to giggle anew.

“Well, I didn’t mean anything terrible by it.  Just that he’s a handsome young man, you’re very lucky to have such a fine date this evening Mabel.”

Mabel slipped her hand around Antony’s forearm again.  “I am.  Very lucky I would say.”  She patted Antony’s arm and smiled at him as he looked down on her.

“Would you like to go sit down?”  He asked her.  “Maybe I could go get you something to drink?”

The other two women looked enviously at Mabel as she nodded, “That would be very nice Antony.  Thank you.”

Antony inclined his head to the other two women, “I hope to see you later this evening, ladies.”  And with that he escorted his date to a small table near the front of the room.  

“I think you’ve made just the right impression.  You’ll have everyone talking for weeks, Antony.”

“So I’m a stunt?”  He asked her playfully.  “Should I encourage their talking then?  Give them a real show?”

Mabel blushed and looked away.  “Oh you!”  She giggled as he pulled out her seat for her and helped her into it. 

“So, a shot of whiskey then?”  He asked her with a devilish grin.

“Is that what you kids drink these days?”

“No.  Not most.”  Antony said, “But you don’t strike me as being like any other dame in this joint.”

“Champagne might be the limit for me.  Just one glass.”

He arched an eyebrow, “Are you sure?”

Mabel giggled.  “Is it very strong?”

Antony nodded, “Champagne is like drinking stars… whiskey is like fire.  Perhaps we should save it for the very end of the night, you’ll sleep better than you have in years and I won’t tell if you don’t.”

“You’re a sweet young man.”  

Antony picked up her tiny hand and kissed it gently.  “I’ll be back with one glass of liquid stars in two shakes.  Don’t wander off now.  I’m supposed to be watching your body all night, remember?”

He walked off to find a waitress, listening to the woman giggling behind him, glancing back to her from time to time to make sure she was just where he’d left her.  Alone at a table meant for more than he and she alone.  He wondered who else would be placed with them tonight.  It would have to be someone important to get a seat with the charity founder’s widow.  The mayor maybe?  A state politician?  Some wealthy philanthropist?  A chance to make more connections and future work… if he played his cards right.

“Two glasses of champagne, please.”  He said to the woman fixing drinks, and he waited - watching Mabel across the room sitting alone at her own gala.
 

Antony had been trained well by Oriana, particularly in the art of protecting others. She’d penetrated tight security so often that all her expertise as an assassin proved invaluable to Antony. He could see how Oriana might attack and, thusly, knew what to look out for. As he picked up the champagne, he took the long way around to see the windows, doors, and sight-lines of the place, as well as the other security present. He got a bit lost in the process and realized he’d been gone for 15 minutes; the room had filled up with guests in the meantime. Antony hurried back to find his table nearly full, VIPs who’d been seated with Mabel to hopefully make their generous donations even more exorbitant. There were two elderly couples and two couples in their 40s. But it was the young woman facing away from him that instantly caught Antony’s attention; he couldn’t see her face, but with a body like that he really didn’t need to. She was wearing a floor-length pale blue dress with spaghetti straps. It had satin beneath and a sheer, intricately detailed fabric over the top. It was tight enough to display the near-perfect form beneath, but still looked classy. Well, at least from the back- hopefully there was a plunging neckline involved on the other side. Though perhaps it would be better if that wasn’t the case; Mabel would be jealous. With a confident grin, Antony approached Mabel and found that the young woman had a face to match her body, a familiar one with striking blue eyes- and she was wearing a black pearl necklace, as well.

“One glass of liquid stars for the most beautiful angel in the room.” He said, making a point to look at Mabel and not at the spitfire he wanted to be drinking in the appearance of.  He put the glass in front of her and took his seat on the opposite side of Mabel from the girl in the pearls.

“Oh, thank you!”  Mabel said brightly.  “Miss Renford, please allow me to introduce you to my companion for the evening, Mr. Antony Byrne.  Antony dear, this is Miss Evelyn Renford. She’s a student here in New York, but her family lives all the way across the ocean in England.”

Antony let himself look to the other woman now that she was being addressed by his date.  He couldn’t help but smirk, remembering the last time she’d been in his presence. “An honor to meet you, Miss Renford.”  He said politely, but his eyes were sparkling with mischief that said he wanted to say oh so much more than what actually came out of his mouth.

Evelyn had initially reached up to her necklace, like she had designs to hide it down the front of her dress, but she dropped it to her side and her eyes flashed with frustration.

“Antony was kind enough to join me tonight when Harold couldn’t.  He’s had surgery, poor dear is recovering. The doctors say he’ll be okay, but he was in no condition to escort me here and home later tonight.  And while I have to admit that I miss my usual company, I think perhaps I got the very best date in the entire room tonight because of Harold’s misfortune.”  She chuckled. “Isn’t he handsome? I told him he looks fantastic in that tuxedo. I honestly can’t believe he’s never worn one before.”

“It’s true.” He said shrugging.

“I believe it,” said Evelyn. Then, after a slight pause, she smiled. “I mean, he certainly seems excited to be here- although I’m sure that’s just your company, Mrs. Brace.”

“Of course it is.”  He said putting a hand on the back of Mrs. Brace’s seat.  “Who else gets the honor of sitting beside such an accomplished and beautiful woman?”

“Abby,” said Evelyn, turning to the woman sitting beside her. “Could you please get me a glass of champagne?” The woman nodded and headed off to the bar.

The elderly woman blushed, “Isn’t he just the sweetest young man?”

“He certainly seems like it,” said Evelyn. She was smiling, but her eyes were studying Antony with suspicion- and perhaps something else.

“You’re a student, Miss Renford?  If you don’t mind me asking, what’s your area of study?”  Antony asked making polite small talk.

“Literature. And dance. Although if my father asks, please tell him I said ‘economics’, Mrs. Brace?” 

The older woman nodded, “I completely understand, my dear.  Rest assured your aspirations are safe with me.  Dancing is such a wonderful art form.”

“I completely agree, do you dance, Mabel?” asked Antony.

“Oh yes, but I thought I’d told your sister that?”

“Perhaps you did.”  He admitted.  “She’s quite an accomplished dancer, though nothing like her older sister or mother, I think.”

“Do you have many sisters, Antony?” asked Evelyn.

“Technically, I have none, but I was taken in by my Aunt when I was young after my parents passed away.  She has a good many daughters.  Only two sons, much to my chagrin.  I fear I know more about women than most men I know because I spent all my childhood listening to them talk endlessly.”
Evelyn didn’t say anything, but there was a softness in her eyes after he mentioned his parents.

Mabel chuckled, “Oh dear!  I bet they would not like how you state that, young man.”

“Possibly not.”  Anthony admitted to the elderly woman.  “But, if we’re being honest, it’s served me well enough.  I mean, it got me here, didn’t it?”

Mabel reached over and patted his leg.  “Yes it did.  Which reminds me, I’ll have to send your sister a note thanking her for asking you to come visit me.  This really has been a nice evening so far.”  The older woman looked to Evelyn, “Have you taken time to look over the items for auction tonight, dear?  There were a few lovely things on display - and even a trip.”

“Oh? And what were you most interested in, Mrs. Brace?”

“Me? Oh I have everything I need, except for one of those wonderful incubator beds they have at the hospital.  We want to put one in the foundlings home with the hope that in the future we don’t lose any more of the very tiniest ones that come to us.”

“Of course. I’ve already told my banker to prepare for some sizable expenditures on my part this evening. But allow me to rephrase- what do you think I should be interested in?” She was cut off, however, by Antony.

“Do you know,”  Antony said to Mabel, “That the man who invented those beds wasn’t even a doctor?”

“Oh?” Mabel arched an eyebrow.

“He worked as a carnival barker down on Coney Island.  Had a sideshow of human curiosities.  He created the beds to show off the world’s smallest babies and ended up saving hundreds of lives before the hospital here in New York was finally forced to accept that a man who had no medical degree could have invented such an important technology.”

“What an incredible story!  How is it I’ve never heard that before?”

Antony shrugged, “The arrogance of the privileged, I think.”

The older woman clicked her tongue, “Antony.” Her tone was disappointment.

“Forgive me.  Let us hope everyone has a giving spirit tonight.”  Antony inclined his head.

Mabel turned back to Evelyn, “I’m sorry my dear, Antony can sometimes get carried away with the thoughts that wander into his mind, but he is a breath of fresh air - isn’t he?  Shall I tell you what I think of the items for auction now?”

Evelyn raised an eyebrow and smirked at “get carried away”, but she nodded. “I’d be curious to hear your thoughts- and then it seems I’ll hear Antony’s immediately after.” She smiled, however, when she said it. 

“Actually.”  Antony said standing up.  “I have something to attend to.  I’ll return momentarily, my dear.”  
 

Evelyn looked like she was restraining from commenting- but as he walked away, Mabel caught Evelyn watching him go.

“Such a sad young man.”  She said softly enough that only Evelyn heard.  

"Why is that?” asked Evelyn in the same tone.

“Few enough know who he really is, most of us act like we don’t know - or don’t remember.”  She shook her head. “But, believe it or not I voted for his father when I was still living in Pennsylvania.  He was a handsome young man, and he spoke with fire in his voice. You really wanted to believe everything he said.  Could have sold catsup popsicles to eskimos in white, William Byrne could have - I swear it!”

“Voted for him… as a politician?”

“His father was a Senator before he and his lovely wife were assassinated.  Tragic. They were so young. A sweet family. Everyone saw the pictures of that little boy on the front page of the papers, standing beside his parents coffins.  I can’t even imagine how he’s grown to be such a happy and sweet young man. Of course, he’s changed his name and never seems to talk of his father much, that’s my understanding at least.”

“I had no idea,” said Evelyn, processing the information. She’d been assuming that he had been trying to scam Mabel Brace, but this was… unexpected.

“You mustn’t tell him that I’ve told you.  Everyone who knows talks of it only very quietly and never to him.  It’s not the sort of thing you bring up, of course you understand?” The old woman said.

“Of course.”

“Honestly I can’t imagine what he felt he owed me in coming tonight, but I’m ever so glad he came.  All those old bitties will be talking now that I’ve gone mad and taken some young lover - oh the gossip will drive up donations something fierce and we’ll have all we need to rebuild that nursery and expand our fostering programs - I’m sure of it.  He’s a good sport to be playing along. Of course, it helps that he has no steady girl at the moment.” Mabel’s last statement was made conspiratorially, her eyes watching Evelyn for a reaction at the offered information. Meanwhile, Antony was speaking with Polly and Gladys at the auction table - occasionally looking back over to make sure Mabel was okay.

“Mmm,” said Evelyn. “Speaking of available- what were some of the items up for auction this evening? I confess I didn’t have a chance to read through the brochure with all the classwork I have to keep up with.” 

Mabel went into detail on some of the items available which she thought were particularly noteworthy.  Highlighting the items that would fetch the highest dollar amounts including one diamond pendent and a painting done by a well-known painter from the late renaissance which had been donated by the Rockefeller family.  She also noted the bottle of wine which had come the Viacelli Vineyard dating back nearly 100 years and a vacation package on a private island in the Carribean.  

“That sounds perfect,” said Evelyn. “It’s mine. And I know exactly who I’m bringing with me.”

“Oh!  Well, I wish you the very best of luck my dear.  I bet the sunshine there would agree with you. It would be a very nice way to get away from the worries of schooling for a bit of time I’m quite sure.”

“I have a vacation from school coming up- and my roommate and I could use a break, I think.”

“You have a generous heart, thinking of your friend as you are.”  Mabel smiled.  “Treasure these years - youth is so fleeting.  Have all the fun you can now my dear, you will never regret a moment that you have taken in hand.  I promise you.  All those times you did the right and proper thing, they blur together when you get to be my age - it's those precious moments when you chose to do something extraordinary that stand out.  Never miss a chance to make a memory and you’ll be very happy when you get old like me.”

“Tell that to my father,” said Evelyn, who smiled at Antony as he returned to the table.

“What am I telling your father?”  Antony asked with a smirk as he settled back into his chair.

“Mrs. Brace is encouraging me to have fun,” said Evelyn. 

“She’s a brilliant woman, you should listen to any advice she gives.”  He smiled at her.

“And what were you doing over there with Polly and Gladys?  Daydreaming or plotting to bid on items?”  Mabel asked Antony.

“Actually,”  He said with a bright smile, leaning back in his chair.  “I decided to take Polly up on her suggestion - for the good of those babies you mentioned.”

Mabel’s eyes went wide.  “How’s that?”

Antony shrugged.  “Well, I wouldn’t scandalize you by going so far as what Polly suggested… but I figure a dance wouldn’t do me any harm.”
“Oh!”  Mabel clapped, truly delighted.  “And I’m going to guess that more than a few of these ladies will want to since seeing us coming in together!”

“They put a card on the table with my name, noting I was your guest this evening, and the card is good for one dance with me.”

“You’re putting yourself up for auction?” asked Evelyn. 

Antony looked at Evelyn and nodded, “Mabel seems to think that getting people talking gets them to open their wallets.  I don’t see it, but I’m not the mastermind behind a charity that handles the sort of money that hers does year after year so… I’m leaving the scheming to her.  I’m just here to look pretty and make sure this young lady has a good time.”  Antony gave Mabel a wink causing her to blush again.

“Well,” said Evelyn, without any malice. “Mrs. Brace seems to be having a wonderful time, and one out of two is still an admirable achievement.” 

Mabel looked a little disappointed at Evelyn’s words, but Antony quickly touched her hand and said, “If the worst comes to worst, you can bid one red cent and win a dance with me yourself.  If you’re right… we make a lot of money for some kids who really need it.  No one loses here.  Right?”

“Oh,” said Evelyn, glancing to Mabel. “I, uh, was just teasing him. I’m sure it will go… wonderfully.”

Antony looked over at Evelyn and gave her a nod, “Of course it will, because we both know you’re going to win the dance with me even if Ms. Polly is going to give you a run for your money.  And I know she has deep pockets - she’s got a very lovely set of earrings that I’m sure aren’t from from the front counter in any jewelry shop I’ve been into.”

“Well, I am competitive,” muttered Evelyn. “Although I’m curious why you’re so sure I’m going to win the dance with you.”

Icy blue eyes considered her a moment, seeming to measure her rather than ogle her.  “Because I know a winner when I see one.”  

Evelyn ignored the shiver down her spine and the warmth in her gut as she gave her best polite smile in return.
 

“Oh look, they’re bringing out dinner.” Mabel said nodding towards the small army of waitstaff coming into the room.  The food they carried smelled good, though Antony was sure it was far from the caliber that women like Mabel were used to eating regularly.  For him, however, it was better than average and he wasn’t going to complain even if it hadn’t been. The idea was that the organization spent next to nothing on the meals charged an inflated amount for tickets so they could clear enough profit that they didn’t have to worry about the auction alone to bring in the money required to meet their needs.  

A roasted chicken breast was put down in front of Antony and he smiled at it and before picking up his utensils he said a quick prayer under his breath as Aunt Aurora and Uncle Billy had always had them do.  Mabel seemed to notice and smiled warmly at him, it was clearly an oddity in such a room that was supposed to be full of church going people.  

“Salt and pepper, Mabel?”  He offered to his date some of the condiments that were out of her reach.

“Thank you dear.”  She said to him warmly and accepted the shakers.  

“You both have enough to drink?” He asked first looking to Mabel but then to Evelyn as well which seemed to make Mabel smile, if in a slightly different way than earlier.  “I’ll be glad to get someone to refill your glasses.”

“I’m fine, thank you,” said Evelyn.

“So, what’s your father do?”  Antony asked, again attempting small talk with Evelyn.

“Gamble, mostly,” said Evelyn. “Both at casinos and in the stock market. Fortunately, he’s either lucky, good, or both.”

“He play poker?”  Antony asked arching an eyebrow and cutting into his chicken.

“Yes, although he prefers baccarat. Are you a gambler, Mr. Byrne?”

The smile that came across his face, it wasn’t like the one he wore when he flirted with the nice old woman or even while he’d been making polite small talk - it wasn’t even quite like the one he had when he had been driving her crazy in the jewelry shop; but it was close.  This smile was definitely full of mischief, and yet his eyes, there was a softness there. It was as if he was remembering something fondly, before nodding.  

“Oh yes.  I’ve been known to gamble a few times in my life - but I prefer sure things.  Almost as a rule I only game when I know the stakes are ones I’m comfortable with… although, I suppose there are some rare occasions in which I’d do it if the pot is just too big to turn away from, no matter the risk.  I don’t think I’ll come up against that situation often though.”

“No, those occasions do seem rare indeed,” said Evelyn.

“What about you?  Are you a gambler?”  He asked genuinely curious as to what she’d say.

“A horrid one. If I’m going to donate to charity, I prefer to attend events like this and cut out the middleman, so to speak.”

“Perhaps you just need a skilled teacher?”  Antony arched an eyebrow putting a bite of chicken into his mouth.

“Oh, I know what I’m supposed to do,” said Evelyn. “I just get caught up in things. I never know when to quit.” 

“If you want to know the secret to being a great gambler, in my opinion, is being willing to lose and not flinch.  If you can do that, the game always comes back around to you. It just a matter of sticking with it long enough.”

“I am a horrible loser,” said Evelyn. “With patience that my grandmother told me was measured in seconds, rather than a longer increment of time. But I’m quite content remaining a bad gambler.”

“Well, your family can certainly afford it!” laughed Mabel. “Thank goodness.”

“What about you, Mabel?”  Antony asked his date.  “Do you gamble?”

“Heaven’s no!  Can you imagine what people would say?  A woman running a charity like I do, off gambling?  Folks would say the most terrible things.  I couldn’t.  I did watch a poker game once though.  Seemed very exciting.  I do like playing games.  Bridge can be quite fun.  Of course, I’m sure it’s not quite the same as having all that money on the line as you must in poker?”

Antony nodded, “It’s… stressful.  In a good way.  I don’t play often anymore, just when I have to for work or … when I’m feeling nostalgic.”

Dinner began to conclude, plates were cleaned up and drinks served as the front of the room was taken over by people who spoke for the charity and let attendees know what their previous donations had done for the children of New York City.  Pictures were shown to the crowd, of children who had been taken in - heartbreaking really, and meant to motivate people to open their wallets.  Photos of the trains which carried children west to ‘needy families and homes with space’ for New York’s abandoned and unwanted innocent masses - Antony stared at those photos a moment.  He imagined how Brigitte’s life had started and how Aunt Aurora and Uncle Billy had felt the day they met her looking as the children in these photos looked.

After a few speakers, and more than a liberal smattering of applause for the successes of the charity, the auction items were brought to the front of the room and waitstaff brought around paddles to all the tables.  People grabbed up their numbers excitedly, Mabel took one for herself and gave one to Antony and passed another over to Evelyn.

“Evelyn has her eye on the vacation as well.”  Mabel said to Antony.  He looked over to Evelyn and nodded, “Well, then I suppose I shouldn’t bid too aggressively on it or maybe she won’t have enough cash left to bid on my dance?”  He smirked.

Evelyn smiled in return. “I’ll have to check my monthly budget.”

“Well, good luck to you, Evelyn.”  He said her name with emphasis, as if trying it out on his tongue and wanting her to know that it meant something more to him than casual familiarity.  He’d purposefully decided to call her that, rather than by a more formal title. 

The auction began with the least impressive items.  These tended to go fairly quickly and without much in the way of fuss or excitement.  A few people saw something they liked or wanted to be seen as making a ‘generous’ donation and this was the quickest and easiest way to do that.  Pick something that few people ‘really wanted’ and throw money at it.  No fuss.  Just pick up your item and call it an early night.

Others watched and waited for the excitement of the final items.  Those with real value which would be competed for before the bar would reopen and the band would strike up.  Antony, sadly was not auctioned toward the end of the night as he might have hoped.  His ego might have been bruised to have been put among the lower dollar items, but if it was, he said nothing as the bidding began.

As expected the lady ‘Miss Polly’ from the auction table was quick to raise her paddle followed by a few other women who looked to travel in the same circles as Mabel.  Of course, Mabel threw up her paddle a few times pushing the bids up into triple digits rather than just tens of dollars.  To his credit, Antony was laughing as much as the auctioneer and the old women bidding on him. He even managed to flirt with a few of the women across the room to encourage them to get their paddles up again and again, taking off his jacket, undoing his cuffs and rolling up his sleeves to be comfortable.’  He gave a wink to one tall white haired lady who was apparently the wife of a city councilman and flexed his arm slightly when it appeared Polly might fall out of the bidding.  She quickly came back getting the bid to nearly $200.  While Antony wasn’t the most valuable item he was quickly proving to be one of the more entertaining items.

“$250.”  Mabel called out and she looked to Antony, “My dear, if anyone goes higher than that I will be truly impressed… and not for your lack of charms, but because who would pay such for a dance!”  She laughed.

“You haven’t seen me dance.”  He said in a near bedroom-like whisper.

Evelyn rolled her eyes. “One thousand!” she said, raising her paddle. Then, she continued under her breath. “Just to close your mouth for a moment.”

The whole room went silent and then seemed to erupt into applause for the very generous donation to charity that this young woman was clearly trying to make.  Of course, more than a few people put their heads together in what was conspiratorial whispers.  Two young people, as they were, seated at the same table?  Well, who could blame them?

“Going once?  Going twice?”  The auctioneer banged his gavel.  “Sold to the lovely young woman at table one, number twenty-three.”

Antony applauded and looked pointedly at her.  

“Congratulations, dear!”  Mabel praised Evelyn.  “That was masterful and so kind of you.  Truly, thank you so much.”  
 

Antony turned his attention back to the auction, but he bid on nothing at least until the bottle of wine came up.  He bid three times on that, driving up the price at a moment when it seemed he could insert some excitement and get things going again.  Likely making the wine go for much more than it would have otherwise.

The vacation came up just before the art.  Apparently it was deemed lesser but by the number of people jumping into bid, you certainly couldn’t tell.  The owner of the property claimed that less than a dozen people lived on the island full-time and that the rest were people who vacationed there only a few days a year.  That the island was as private as you could ever hope to find and still manage to get supplies on. He showed pictures of white sandy beaches and crystal blue water, of colorful fish and palm trees.

Evelyn barely looked, paying more attention to her fingernails. 

The bidding opened with a grand.  It quickly jumped up twenty-five dollar increments.  When it had reached the point where most had dropped out and she wouldn’t have to hold her paddle up too long, Evelyn chimed in. “One hundred thousand.”

The room was absolutely in love with Evelyn, save a few people who looked like they really wanted that vacation as much as she did.  Antony looked at Evelyn. He wasn’t smiling, instead just watching as if trying to figure out a puzzle. When she met his eyes he gave her a simple nod of congratulations and a small smile.

Mabel, on the other hand, was absolutely overjoyed.  The woman was out of her seat as soon as the gavel banged and she was embracing Evelyn as only grandmothers can hug.  “Oh dear, you can’t know how much this means! You must come see the children once we’ve done all the improvements your money will help us do.  You’re an absolute angel, truly a god-send.”

Evelyn nodded. “Of course I’ll visit. But please, happy to help.”

Antony stood up and put a hand on Mabel’s shoulder as the band was just starting up, “It’s going to be getting late soon and I know everyone is going to want to talk with you … why don’t you and I get that dance in now before they steal you away from me and leave me bored for the rest of the night?”

“Of course!”  Mabel said warmly, “Evelyn dear, please excuse us.  We’ll return after this song, these old feet can’t handle much more than one dance.”

Antony lead Mabel out to the dance floor and expertly, if slowly, lead Mabel around the dance floor.  He was the perfect gentleman, his hands in just the right places and clearly quick with witty rapport as the elderly woman laughed often during their dance.  As the song came to a close he gave her a kiss on the cheek and led her back to her seat. Already people were coming up to speak with her and Antony extracted himself from her side to give her some space to do business.

Settling in beside Evelyn again, Antony picked up his drink and tapped his foot to the music as he took a drink.  “Not a bad night.” He finally said, seemingly to no one until at last his eyes came to rest on Evelyn making apparent he was speaking to her.

“I’ve had worse,” admitted Evelyn with a smile. “Although I should probably make sure you don’t step on my toes before I proclaim the evening a complete success.”

“You could always save the dance card and cash it at another time.”  He said glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. “Wouldn’t want to take the chance that I screw up a perfectly decent evening.”  He looked down her leg following it until he saw her feet. “And those are incredible shoes. I’d really hate to toss the dice on me not being a complete oaf.”

“Are you a shoe expert as well as a jewelry ex-” she cut herself off with a sigh. “I should say… you’ve had admirable restraint this evening not mentioning the necklace.”

“No.  I know jack and shit about shoes… but I know a thing or two about legs and yours are a thing of beauty.  No doubt in part to the shoe.” He smirked.

Evelyn’s mouth opened, but no words came out and she closed them. 

“Let me take you out another night, when I’m not some other woman’s date.”

“You’re... lucky my father isn’t here,” said Evelyn. 

“You can cash in that dance cared then and I’ll work on either redeeming myself in your eyes… or making damn sure that I’m glad your father is on the other side of an ocean.  If I’m really lucky… maybe both.  What do you say?”  

“Are all Americans as impertinent as you are?” asked Evelyn, feigning nonchalance. “Or are you particularly gifted in that area?”

He leaned toward her conspiratorially - smirking mischievously, “Well, Doll, your family sent you here… maybe they think you could benefit from some lessons in impertinence?  Or, maybe you’re doing real charity work and teaching a boorish American like me a thing or two about manners and social niceties.  I mean, I don’t say this to just any woman, if learning a thing or two is what it takes to get you to go on a date with me… well, it’s not the worst thing ever.”   

“I think I’ll take that dance now,” said Evelyn as she stood up. “If only to stop you from looking at my legs.” Her face flushed slightly as she extended a hand for Antony to take. 

He stood up smoothly and took her hand, giving Mabel a smile and nod - his wordless explanation seemingly accepted, he took his partner over to the dance floor.  

“I wasn’t wrong though,”  He said as he put his hand around her waist.  “That necklace is amazing around your neck.  Everyone is looking at you.  Can you feel them staring?”  He spun out into the crowd of dancers, leading Evelyn with him.

Evelyn, who was preoccupied with one particular pair of icy blue eyes, tried her best to feign indifference and shrug. “I am used to people staring at me. It comes with being a member of my family.”

“I bet it does.” He said concentrating on the woman in his arms and the placement of his feet, only occasionally remembering to glance towards Mabel, sure that she was safe here.  “Do you get tired of it?  Or is it all you’ve ever known and… well, maybe you don’t even know what you’re missing?”

“What else could I compare it to?” asked Evelyn, trying to relax as she felt the man’s hands at the small of her back. “It’s my life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

His eyes seemed to look deep into hers, not in the way they had earlier, it was more like he was considering the completed puzzle now - not searching for a way to figure it out.  He seemed to think he understood her better, if not completely and nodded.  “You have a good life.  You should protect it.  Don’t get mixed up in … things ... here in the States.  Study hard.  Dance or economics, it doesn’t matter.  Just stay focused.  Chase the life you deserve.  Don’t let anyone put it in jeopardy.  Fight for it.”

As they moved in the dance, Antony felt like she was barely in his arms. She was a marvelous dancer, moving in the direction he’d decided before he could even suggest it with his hand. 

His tone was serious, the flirting boy was gone and instead a very serious man held her close to him, “If you learn anything here in the States, maybe it’s what you don’t want your life to be and that what you have is worth defending.  Most folks never feel like you do and if they do, they don’t realize the value of that until it’s gone.”

Evelyn looked up into his eyes; his face was only inches away from hers, and she found that she could only nod. She didn’t trust herself to say anything. 

“You’re not going to a co-ed school are you?” He asked as they went round the floor for a second time.

“N- no, I’m not.”

“Good.” He said nodding.  “Guys will mess things up.  Romance complicates things, when you have a goal - a vision of what you’re doing with your life you need to stay focused on that.  Every morning when you wake up, recommit to it. No matter how hard it is to let go of whatever you did the day before. Remind yourself why you want it.  Walk away from whatever is distracting you and go after it. You deserve that - don’t let anything distract you for long. Okay?” He arched an eyebrow.

Evelyn, feeling like she was starting to be lectured to, blinked and cleared her mind. “Now you’re starting to sound like my father. And I assure you, I’m very hard to distract.”

“I promise you, Evelyn, the last man in all the world I’m thinking like is your Father.”  Antony rubbed his thumb ever so lightly over the small of her back, caressing her gently through the thin fabric of her dress.  

She swallowed, but maintained eye contact. “Better men than you have tried. And failed.”

He nodded, “I have no doubt.”  He lowered his voice, “A woman like you is forbidden fruit… desired, often pursued, and even if I managed to get a taste I’d wish I hadn’t.  Not because you aren’t… perfect… but because you are. In fact, I think once this dance is done, it’s probably best I go back to keeping my eyes on Mabel.”

“What do you mean, you’d wish you hadn’t?”

“Better women than you have tried to get that explanation, Doll, and all but one have failed.”

“Don’t call me Doll. Please.”

“Okay.”  He said quietly, his grip on her tightening just slightly.  “You dance better than I expected.  Though, it seems I’ve managed to keep your feet intact, so I guess I’m probably not the worst you’ve danced with?  At least give my ego that much?  A small consolation prize?” He smirked.

She looked up at him. “You are… an adequate dancer.”

“Well, that’s something I guess.  Adequate.  Here lies Antony Byrne, he was an adequate dancer.”  He chuckled.

“Don’t forget jewelry expert. And shoe- excuse me, leg- aficionado.”

“Ah yes!  Here lies Antony Byrne, jewelry expert, leg aficionado, and an adequate dancer.”  he shook his head.  “That may be my favorite one so far.  I’ll write that one down in my journal.  Maybe they’ll use it.”

“Not that I’m not enjoying myself,” said Evelyn, looking up at him with two deep sapphire pools. “But we’ve been dancing for three songs already. I don’t want to make Mabel jealous. And I did only pay for one…”

“Three?  Wow.  I swear I only heard one,”  He shrugged, “I wouldn’t want to call you a liar though.  You might hit me with a coat rack, was it?” He smirked and led her to the edge of the dance floor and finally came to a stop, not immediately releasing her.  Instead he reached a hand up and barely touched her hair with his finger tips.  

"You are a most alluring and divinely infuriating force of nature, Evelyn Renford.  It has been my pleasure to have been bewitched by you a second time." He inclined his head to her in a way that almost felt like he had bowed and then he took a half-step back.

Evelyn seemed unsure of what to say, and her hand went to her necklace for a moment.

“You are… a better than adequate dancer, Antony Byrne. But I should be heading back to school for the night.”

“Goodbye, Evelyn.”  He said it with finality.  As if he meant to never see her again and before there was even a breath to try to ask or say something more, Antony turned and began walking back to Mabel - not looking back.

Looking frustrated, Evelyn moved quickly to the table, made her goodbyes to everyone present, made plans with Mabel, and with a curt nod to Antony, walked out the door without looking back.
 

*

“I have news for you,” said Evelyn as she walked into the dorm and closed the door behind her.

“You met a boy!” shouted Izzy without a moment’s hesitation.

“I- well yes- but I mean. No. There was a boy. But he’s as infuriating as he is handsome, and… well, no.”

“Oh that’s the best kind.”  She sighed and fell back onto her bed with a day-dreamy look in her eyes.  “So when will you see him again?”

“Hell, probably.” Evelyn shrugged off her coat and tossed it on the chair.

“God you look amazing in that dress - where did you tonight?”  Izzy sat back up.

“Thank you,” beamed Evelyn. “My best friend picked it out for me. And it was the charity gala I was telling you about. The orphan one. I would have brought you, but I know you mentioned you were busy.”

Izzy stared at Evelyn, “Yeah, I was… well, I actually sent a bottle of wine to that tonight.  It was supposed to be auctioned off to help them raise money for incubator beds like my baby sister used shen she was born too soon.  Did it go for much? My grandfather had it in his things, it was just gathering dust, I know my mom would have wanted me to put it to good use.”

“It seemed like a worthy cause,” said Evelyn. “I bid a moderate amount. The woman who organized the auction was very pleased, at least.”

“Oh good, Mabel’s a sweet lady.”  She said smiling.

“Oh- and don’t make plans for our upcoming break. We have a private island in the Caribbean to visit.”

“WHAT?!?”  She squealed.  “Are you kidding me?!?”  Izzy bounced on her bed. “Evie!!!!  That’s … oh my God!” She laughed. “I’ve never left North America - this is going to be the best thing EVER. You, me… a private island, I mean, how could it be any more perfect?”

“I was thinking we could bring a few people with us. I have a couple friends from back home that I haven’t seen in a while.”

Izzy smirked, “This mystery guy of yours?  You going to invite him?”

Evelyn snorted. “Please. He’d probably… fornicate with a stewardess on the way there. Or convince her that she should and then tell her she shouldn’t. Or something. No, I was thinking about your brothers. You talk so much about them.”

“Oh, they’d love that.  You know honestly, Jack’s working so hard at school and Mal … well, all he does is work.  It might do him some good. He’s so serious these days. I mean, he’s always been serious, but he’s worse.  He needs to just… unwind. This could be just the thing to help with that. I think being back here in New York hasn’t helped him one bit.  Maybe going somewhere we have no bad memories is the trick. Oh Evie, you really are the best.”

Izzy paused, “So… this mystery fellow of yours, if you’re not going to chase after this handsome infuriating guy maybe you’d give me his number?”  

“Izzy! Please. If I die without seeing Antony Byrne ever again, I assure you I’ll sleep well for the rest of my life.” Evelyn paused.  Izzy’s eyes were wide, she didn’t say anything. “Even if there were a few moments that were… interesting. During the dance, I mean.”

“Antony Byrne?”  Izzy repeated the name slowly.

Evelyn laughed. “I know. I almost want to tell my father, to see whether he’d get more upset at the Italian or the Irish first when-”

“NO!”  Izzy shook her head.  “You don’t want to do that.”

“I was kidding,” said Evelyn, continuing to remove her jewelry in the mirror.

Izzy got out of the bed, walked over to her dresser, opened the top drawer,  and pulled out a small framed photo bringing it over to Evelyn.  It was the sort that had two photos, a hinge held to the frames together and when closed only the backs could be seen.  Opened like a book, one side had a massive family photo.  The other three faces.  

The massive family featured two adults and eleven children ranging in age from newborn to nearly adult.  Izzy was no more than thirteen in the photo and was easy to pick out.  Not all of the children looked like the adults in the photo, though some had a strong resemblance.  

In the opposite photo was Izzy, older - close to her current age, a boy with similar looks to hers, and then a face she knew well.  She’d been staring into those blue eyes all night long.

Evelyn looked down at the photo, then immediately glanced back up at Izzy. “Um…”

“Malcolm Byrne.”  She said.  “Mal.  He legally changed his name to Antony two years ago.  I should have been calling him Antony all along but at home and around family I call him Mal, so I guess I just was comfortable with you and forgot to call him something else.”  

Izzy’s brow furrowed.  “I didn’t realize you’d run into him.  I mean, he doesn’t normally run in the same circles as… me and you.  Just he felt bad for Mabel and she offered him the job tonight so … I helped him get into that tux.  He doesn’t even know how to tie a tie right on his own.”

“Izzy, I didn’t mean to say anything bad at all about him. I’m sure he’s very nice and-”

“You’re right about the stewardess thing.”  She admitted nodding.  “There have been a lot of girls since we came to New York.  This one time there was a girl who chased him down the street throwing stuff at him.  Crying.  It was this whole scene.”  

“That’s horrible,” said Evelyn. 

Izzy nodded and sat down on her bed, “Mal lost his parents and our uncle… then he moved in with my family and you know what happened to them.  Mal’s lost people again and again - and I don’t know that anyone is ‘normal’ after all that loss.  He’s a good person, but he’s… very unattached.  As your friend, you’re probably making the right call not wanting to see him again.”  She looked at the floor, “As someone who loves him dearly, I can tell you Mal is one of the strongest, kindest, and good people you will ever meet.  He has a strong sense of self and honor - he deserves someone like you in his life but honestly, he’s a mess.  There’s literally dozens of guys with a much smoother road ahead of them.  A lot less complicated.  A lot less work.”

“Well I hate to say it, Izzy, but the whole ‘lot of girls since we came to New York’ is basically game over for me. If I find a husband here, I need someone with a financial future… but I want someone less… experienced.”

“Well, Mal is… Mal doesn’t need to work, Evelyn.  He’s very well off.  He works because he wants to take care of the family and really because I think it makes him feel useful.”

“What does he do for work?” asked Evelyn.

“Tonight?  Mabel hired him as a bodyguard.  He was there protecting her tonight.  Most of the time that’s the sort of work he does.  The Byrnes… my mother’s family, they were Philadelphia mobsters.  Mal’s father is sorta famous for having gone into politics to take down the Mob.  You see, he was just a boy when my grandmother was killed in front of him.  He dedicated his life to destroying the people who killed her.  I didn’t know him well because we grew up in hiding, but he was out there… leading the charge to take down organized crime in his home state and he’d hoped the whole US, if he’d been able to run for President.”

“President,” blinked Evelyn. “That’s…”

“Uncle Will was ready to make a run.  He was very much a realistic candidate.  Mal grew up watching his father be a hero to people, standing up against the bad guys - promising to make the world safer and better for everyone.  I can’t imagine how it felt for him to go from living in that home to living with all of us.”  

“Well, even if he wasn’t already out of my running, he didn’t really seem interested. Or he was interested, and said that’s why he wasn’t interested. Or something. I don’t even rightly remember how he phrased it. So I don’t think either of us have any real designs here. And based on everything I’ve heard… well, I’m sure we’ll be good friends.” 

She took back the photo and closed it.  “Well that’s fair, but if you change your mind, or ever want to know more… the three of us have been thick as thieves for years now.  I promise I’ve got your back.  I love him like a brother, but you’re my best friend.  I want you to be happy Evie and I know that Mal isn’t an easy guy.  There’s literally millions of men out there who would be a great match for you - I’m sure.  Less… complicated guys.”

“I don’t think you need to worry about anything,” said Evelyn as she stood up and headed to change for bed. “He’s probably already forgotten about me.”

“Doubtful.  No one forgets you once they’ve met you, Evie.”  She chuckled.  “But you know… I could try to help you find out without telling him that I know you.  Chances are good he has no idea that we know each other any more than you did.  I mean… he talks to me and Jack about his girls all the time.  Can’t imagine why he wouldn’t open up about the one he was with tonight.  If… of course, you’re curious.  I mean, maybe even just to know what he thought?”
 

“Find out what?” asked Evie, emerging from the bathroom in silk pajamas. “He told me himself…” But her voice didn’t sound sure. “I guess it’s fine to ask. But it doesn’t matter. Call it curiosity.”

Izzy smiled.  “Sure. I’ll be really subtle.  You got my word.” 

“Unless…” said Evelyn. “You wanted to have some fun with the situation.”

“OH!”  Izzy got excited, “You KNOW I do!  THIS is exactly what having a best friend is supposed to be all about.  I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life you have NO idea! My brother Jack and I used to do all sorts of crazy stuff and then he got all … anyway… yes.  Let’s do something, fun! What’s the plan? Drag him to the island without telling him about you?”

“God, no,” said Evelyn immediately. “I don’t even know if the island… well, we can figure that out later. I suppose it’ll be fine.”

“Your right… smaller scale.  Sorry I’m just excited. Okay so… he doesn’t know that I know you.  He doesn’t know that you know me so…”

Evelyn smiled. “Let’s sleep on it. We’ll figure out some dastardly plan tomorrow. I just… it’d be nice to see him lose the upper hand, for once. He’s so… annoyingly confident. And I felt like I could barely string three words together.”

“Confident?  Mal?” Izzy seemed a little surprised.  “He really must be different around girls than he is around the house.  I mean, I know he’s good looking and he’s clearly been dating, but I just figured girls have been aggressively hunting him down.  He’s so quiet most of the time. Granted I mean, I’m not out with him and Jack doing things like that much. I mean, I’m here at school.  They’re living at the house together, ya know? Hmm. Maybe I need to ask Jack what he’s like around girls more - no. Let’s sleep on this.  You’re right. I’m sure we’ll cook up the perfect solution tomorrow.”

*

Mal arrived home to a silent house. Jack was living at the library recently, and Izzy wasn’t home for the weekend like she usually was. He flipped on the lights, then tossed his keys and jacket aside.

Walking into the den he turned on the radio low and wandered over to the coffee table to pour himself a small glass of whiskey, the glass he didn’t actually give Mabel when he dropped her off.  Settling down onto the sofa he leaned back, his arm resting on the side of the couch, staring out the window at a bit of snow coming down.  He hummed along with Doris Day, and his mind drifted back to his dance with Evelyn.  Those blue eyes.  That dress.  Those legs.  Her voice, that attitude…that gun barrel poking into the back of his head. Malcolm froze.

“Someone’s sloppy tonight…” Oriana’s familiar voice purred behind him.

“Jesus Christ.”  He sighed.  “Ori!”  He looked back over his shoulder at her.  “Most women just open with ‘hi’ or ‘wanna fuck?’ you …  where’s Tara?”

“Most women say ‘hi’ if they were politely paying a social call. Most women say ‘wanna fuck?’ if they were hoping to screw. While I enjoyed our previous time together, I don’t want to make Christmas dinner too awkward, Mal.” She smirked as she dropped into the chair across from him; Mal had to work to keep his eyes away from her ruined, scarred hands.

“What do you want, Ori?  I don’t mean to be rude but it’s been one hell of a night and I had hoped this glass of whiskey was going to be the last thing I was talking to tonight.”

“It still can be, as long as you don’t rush it too much. I should clarify; I suppose this is a sort of social call, but I also wanted to check up on the three of you. Four of you, including Jo. I’m in town for a few hours on a layover.”

“Well, Jack’s probably still on campus at the library, and Izzy is at Vassar.  I don’t expect I’ll see either of them tonight.  Probably just me here.”

“Oh, I found Jack already. He said you were out at a fancy charity thing?”

“Mabel Brace, the Children’s thing.  Orphans.  Aunt Aurora and Uncle Billy’s friend.  Her bodyguard had his gallbladder removed and I stepped in to keep the old lady company tonight.  Wasn’t much in the way of work, but the pay was great so I can’t complain.”  He took a sip of the whiskey, “Company wasn’t too bad either.”  

“Well, we know you enjoy an older woman every now and then.” She smirked.

“I would have killed that poor old girl.”  He laughed.  “Not that she wasn’t spunky enough to have tried.  She grabbed my ass twice when she thought no one was looking.”  He shook his head and smiled down into the amber-colored liquid.

“But what a way to go. That’s how I want to go with Tara someday. 90something year old. Perfect timed orgasms- pop both our brains simultaneously.”

“I hope you get what you’re wishing for.”  He said suddenly a bit more somber.  

“Seems more likely now that I’m out of the field. I can’t shoot for shit. I could’ve hit you point-blank of course… but I spent so long perfecting my form… I’ve lost it. Like trying to eat rice with chopsticks.”

“Maybe losing your fingers was the best thing to ever happen to you.” He shrugged. “Who knows, maybe you and Tara will beat the odds.  I’ll do my best to help see that you do.”

“Same to you,” said Ori. 

“Yeah well,”  Malcolm finished his glass of whiskey and began to refill it as he continued his thought, “... maybe you should just keep focused on you and her?  This family has a track record of not doing so good at watching their own backs.  Hell, if I were the two of you, I might get on that boat of yours and sail to the middle of the ocean and never get off the damn thing.  Probably your best shot and that death by pleasure you’re hoping for.”

“That’s the plan, Mal. That’s the plan. Do you need anything? Does Izzy? Jack? We’ll see at Christmas, of course, but anything before that?”

“A time machine.”  He said ruefully.  

Ori flexed her fingers. “Yea… we’ll do the best we can, Mal.”

After a moment he seemed to shake off whatever dark cloud had come over his thoughts,“We’re good Ori.  Same old, same old.  Jack is trucking along towards his degree and getting out of the shit and Izzy… is Izzy.  I’m keeping busy doing odd jobs, just hooked up with a crew. A guy named Estarossa out of Manhattan… a biker.  Decent enough, I guess.  It’s been a lot easier finding work since I connected with him.”

“Good. Just get your foot in the door, learn the ropes as an associate.”

“Yea, I’ll pay better attention than I did coming home tonight.”  He smirked.  

“Also good,” said Ori. “But I wouldn’t be too hard on yourself. I’m still pretty good at a lot of this…”

“I was distracted.”  He admitted.  “English girl.  Gorgeous.  My head was still on the dance floor and firmly lodged up my ass obviously.”
 

“Oh really,” said Oriana, smirking as she recline in the chair. “Or up hers. Any future there?”

“Not a chance, well… maybe a chance, but best I not play with fire.  She’s … different. I don’t think I’ll be seeing her again. First time was pretty random, this time, well - I was in her social circle.  I don’t think I’ll be hob-nobbing much in the future. I’m sure it’s the last I’ve seen of her.”

“Tell me more about her,” said Ori. The blonde tried to lace her fingers under her chin before realizing she couldn’t. With a sigh, she repositioned herself and crossed her legs.

He paused for a moment seeming to think.  “I was supposed to shake down this jeweler for a late payment on a loan.  She was there looking through all the jewelry the guy had in case. She’s… a brat.  Rich. Entitled. Full of herself. She didn’t look twice at me at first. In fact, I wasn’t sure she even noticed I was in the room until I stood in the doorway and told her she had shit taste in jewelry.”  He smirked.

“Did she look at you once? Or not at all?”

“She must have looked once, I remember her eyes.  Blue like Dad’s. Her attitude though…” He laughed.  “It’s the dumbest thing but some of my fondest memories of my parents are these moments of them going back and forth bitching at each other about little stuff… giving each other crap and then kissing.  She’s like mom with that whole… need to be right. A cat with her back permanently arched and ready for a fight.”

Ori nodded. “When I was working a job, I always paid attention to the guys who never looked at me. Looking at people once is a normal, human thing to do- especially if that person looks good. For example…”

Ori got up and walked past Antony before sitting next to him on the couch. “Well, perhaps you’re not the best example. But still. My point is that the people who force themselves not to look? They’re the ones who’re interested- who don’t trust themselves.”

“All the more reason not to see her again.”  He shook his head. “Had a girl two weeks ago get a lot more serious than I wanted her to be.  You should have seen the daggers Izzy gave me when she witnessed the girl’s meltdown. I never lied to the girl she just… didn’t listen.”

“Malcolm Byrne… quite the playboy?”

“Not really what I had in mind, it’s just sorta worked out that way.  It’s nice to forget for a few hours, just … relax and be with another human being.  I just forget sometimes that not everyone is like me. Most folks want something that will last, someone to be with all the time.”  He shrugged.

“And you don’t want that? Not at all?”

“I don’t want what comes that - I don’t want leave a widow or kids. I don’t want to hurt someone like that.  I’d rather be alone most of the time, easier that way. When I finally catch a bullet the only people who will mourn me are the ones I didn’t really have a say in.  I won’t have put that on anyone.”

Oriana nodded. “I know. I remember from Port Huron. It’s a lonely life… and it’s a hard one to walk. Just be honest with yourself down the road, if you change your mind. I couldn’t really have imagined the life I wound up leading- finding a person like Tara and a relationship like ours.”

“You know my dad didn’t intend to get married to anyone he loved either?  Mom had this way about her though, that’s what he told me.  I didn’t get it then.  I was little.  I get it now.  Stay away from forbidden fruit.  If you get a taste, that’s it.  Game over.  I figure I’ll keep the good ones at arm’s length and I’ll fine.  Only bring home the girls I know I can walk away from.”

‘I’ve never been particularly good with forbidden fruit, myself,” said Ori, as her fingernails trace along the back of Malcolm’s neck. 

“Lucky for me you’re already taken.” He said with a smirk.  “Otherwise I would have had to find a way to walk away instead of … what actually happened.”

“As if you would,” laughed Ori.  “What does your English girl look like?”

He paused, “Perfection.” He smirked. Ori’s eyes narrowed imperceptibly as Malcolm stared off, envisioning Evelyn.  “Long legs.  They go on forever.  Her hair was so soft and it smells… God.  I don’t know what she washes with but I think I’d know the smell anywhere.  Her skin it’s like milk.  And her eyes, like cold water just about to freeze.  She gets this perfect smile going on when she’s playing at being nice.  She says the right words but you know she means them like daggers.  She’s as good at verbally sparring as I am with my fists and she drives me crazy, which only makes me want to piss her off more.” 

“Uh oh…” said Ori. 

Mal blinked away the thought of Evelyn, “What?”

“Nothing. Just having deja vu. Remembering meeting your sister.”

He shook his head, “No.  It’s not like that.  I mean, she’s lovely and clearly a bit of a hellcat, but honestly … on a scale of one to ten, with ten being her wanting to jump my bones, I’m thinking she’s a one.  Barely knows I’m alive.  Wishes she didn’t.  I did everything I could to keep it that way.  Hell I lectured at her before telling her goodbye tonight.  I couldn’t have been any more unappealing.  I mean, there was this moment… brief… but the second I realized what was happening, I changed tactics.  I ran the other way.  And like I said I don’t think I’ll ever see Evelyn Renford again.  Her rich family back and Yorkshire aside, I’m confident she herself saw enough tonight to know we’re bad news, she & I.  Hell, maybe just as added insurance I’ll hit the bars with Jack tomorrow and find a few reasons to forget about her.  Maybe a redhead and a blonde.”

“At the same time?” asked Oriana with a smirk.

“It’s not like that, I know what you’re getting at, but you’re wrong.  It was just a moment.  Lust.  Stupid, fleeting.  We’d be great in the sack together, that’s all.  Not that she would.  She made that abundantly clear.  I think she’s a virgin or something… clearly looked down her nose at me a bit.  Probably has some guy set up for her to marry by her parents or some such.  She’s that kind of rich I think.  Dropped a ridiculous amount of money tonight.  Certainly can afford better than a Byrne.”

“Well that’s a dumb statement. But… that should make things easier- the looking down at you thing.” Oriana stood up from the couch. “Okay, I need to get out of here before I do something I shouldn’t. 

Mal stood up, seeming prepared to walk Ori to the door.  “It’s a nice thought, but believe it or not, I’d turn you down tonight.  I just… need to sleep.  My head is in the wrong space right now.  Not that I’m not appreciative… you still remain one of the hottest women I’ve ever known.  And I’d be lying if I said I never think about you, but yeah… tonight it’s best I just sleep this off.  Wake up tomorrow and remind myself what the plan is.  Stay focused.  Shake off this distraction.”  Shake off Evelyn.

“Good luck, Mal,” said Ori as she moved forward and kissed him slowly on the cheek. One grey eye winked as she turned around and walked away.

He watched her intently as she left, not wanting to admit to himself, he was a lying sack of shit just a moment earlier.  It was better that he had though.  Once was living out a fantasy, twice?  Forbidden fruit.

Mal watched Ori leave and locked the door.  Finishing his drink he went up the stairs to his bed and tried not to think about beautiful, infuriating, hellcats.