“Julian, wait a minute, I think we should discuss a few things.” She said taking him by the arm.
“Sure Eve.”

“I just wanted to say that, um, well, things got a bit hot today in the car.”

“A bit sweetie, I don’t think so, things got downright steamy and it was very nice.” He said grinning.

“Well yeah, we did get pretty far didn’t we?”

“Yes Eve we did, and I want you to know I still respect your decision to stop.”

“Anyway, I was wondering, what’s happens next for us?” Eve asked.

“What would you like to happen?”

“I asked you first Julian.”

“Well, you know how much I love you, but facts are facts Eve, you are married to T.C. and I am involved with Rebecca. We can’t change that, but we can change our relationship Eve. We can make it stronger, by spending more time with one another and loving each other even though we will be facing many hurdles along the way. My only suggestion is that we see each other behind closed doors, what do you think of that Eve?”

“That is most likely the only way we can spend time together, but isn’t it a bit of a risk overall?” Eve asked.

“Eve, I don’t want to tell you what to do, you are a sensible woman and I love you for that, but sometimes you just have to take a chance. You can still get what you want and be cautious about it. I am not saying we should just go ahead and start making out in public, that’s not going to happen. Rebecca would have me singing soprano very quickly and T.C., well, perish the thought. I wouldn’t be alive to even have a chance to be near you. We will have to try our best to make time for each other. I know I am as good as married myself to Rebecca, but you can’t help who you love now can you? I am not saying being unfaithful to your partner is a good thing, it’s not. But my heart belongs to you Eve, not Rebecca.”

“It’s just that you were well…known for being unfaithful with Ivy, I have never cheated on T.C. It’s hard for me to carry on behind his back like this. You don’t think we are making a mistake do you?”

“Being with the person you truly love is never a mistake, we share a passion that can’t be denied, a true love that only comes along once in a lifetime.”

“I guess you are right Julian.”

“I know what I did to you in the past, I know I abandoned you and our child, but after all this time, we have found our way back to one another. You gave me a chance to really love you, to show you that I am a changed man. I am not going to rush you into leaving him or pressure you, but I am a very honest person about my feelings. I am true to my word, even though I don’t have the reputation for it. I know you are a cautious person and I love you for it Eve, but you shouldn’t deny your true feelings. Follow your heart that is all I ask. If it takes us two months or two years, I don’t care, I will wait for you. I don’t mind as long you are in my life.”

“Alright Julian, I am willing to take the chance then, is that what you wanted to hear?”

“Oh Eve, yes of course, I have been waiting for you to say yes to a chance for us to be together for as long as I can remember.” He said practically lifting her off of the ground in a huge hug.

“I am glad you are happy Julian.”

“More than you will ever know my love.”

“Well let’s go then, we will try to work out seeing each other again as soon as possible.” Eve said.

“Yes Eve, we will.”

As they walked towards the main lobby, Julian wanted so much to hold her hand, but there were too many people around and he didn’t want to cause an uncomfortable scene for her. You never knew who was watching.

“Julian, wait.” She said stopping at a gift shop.

“What is it?”

“I need to look in here, okay?” Eve asked.

“Sure thing my dear.”

He watched Eve as she looked at a shelf of trinkets, but cringed when he heard a familiar voice.

“Julian Crane, there you are!” Rebecca said.

“Did I hear Rebecca?” Eve said panicking.

“Yes she’s coming this way.” He said.

“Julian, distract her please, I have to get out of here.” Eve said.

“Becky, my love, what a pleasant surprise. What brings you down to the gift shop?” Julian said practically running up to her.

“Where have you been, I have been looking for you all day Julian.”

“I have been busy with business sweetie, but I am yours for the rest of the evening. Did I ever tell you just how gorgeous you are?” He said grinning at her.

“You are being far too nice to me Julian, okay fess up, what’s going on?”

“Nothing Becky, I just think you look so beautiful today.”

“Laying on a bit thick aren’t you Pookie? Now get real, you never compliment me until after little Julian has done his duty for the day.”

“I just care about you.”

“Yeah sure Julian, you are being so sweet, I am getting a cavity, now quit lying already.”

“I’m not lying, now why don’t you just go back upstairs and slip into something a little more comfortable.” Julian said pretending to growl.

“Look, usually I would say okay, but no, I need your card to buy Gwennie a present. She is so upset still Pookie, I want to cheer her up.”

“Why don’t you let me pick out something for her? I am sure I could find something really special, I like to think I am a great shopper sometimes.”

“Julian the only store you know how to shop in is the sex shop, now stop trying to be helpful because you are not and it’s not becoming of you. I want the card now!” she demanded.

“Come on Becky, you always get to pick out the presents, I’d like to think that Gwen and I have become rather close, she’s a wonderful girl and I want to show her that I care too about what happened with the baby. Give me a chance to show her.” Julian said.

“Oh if you are going to be this stubborn and annoying, then fine, pick something out. But I swear Julian, it better not be anything tacky or cheap. I want something just perfect for my little girl. So don’t screw up, I will meet you upstairs, don’t be long.” Rebecca said.

When she walked away, Julian breathed a sigh of relief. He walked back over to where Eve was.

“I’m sorry about that Eve.”

“We have to be more careful, you see how quickly things can happen? That is all we need is more trouble brewing. Liz is bad enough Julian, I don’t need Rebecca being anymore suspicious.”

“Yes I understand, well I have to buy a gift for Gwen, so what do you suggest?” He asked her.

“Me, I thought you wanted to pick something out Julian.”

“I said that to get Rebecca to go away, really Eve, I am a terrible shopper, she’s right. So help me out here darling, what should I buy Gwen?”

“Julian, you really don’t know what to get her?”

“Eve, I basically suck at picking out gifts.”

“That’s not true, you used to buy me fantastic presents.” Eve said remembering the past.

“Yes, but that’s different, you were my love, Gwen is like a daughter. I can’t exactly go out and buy her a negligee now can I Eve? It’s bad enough I have a reputation for being a womanizer; I don’t need people starting another rumour about me. I know they think I am a pervert, but they would think even worse about me.” He said laughing.

“Well how about a crystal vase or a candle holder?” Eve said.

“Would she want that, I have no idea, you are so great at knowing exactly what to buy.”

“It’s not that hard Julian, really.”

“Yes but I don’t want to upset Gwen by buying something really stupid.”

“Julian whatever you give Gwen will be great, as long as it’s from the heart, and believe me, you do have one.” Eve said smiling.

“I do Julian, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you.” Eve said.

“Okay well I will get the candle holder then, I think she would like it.”

“Okay then Julian, that’s all that counts.”

When he finished paying for it, they headed up towards their rooms. As Eve stepped out of the elevator, Julian grabbed her arm.

“Yes Julian?”

“Come here sweetheart.”

He took Eve in his arms and gave her one last tender kiss for the day.

“Thank you for this, it was wonderful spending time together.” He said smiling.

“Yes Julian it was, I will see you later then.”

“Eve?”

She turned around to look at him.

“I love you.”

“I love you too Julian.”

Julian closed the door behind him; Rebecca was sitting on the bed watching tv.

“What did you buy, I want to see.” She said.

He opened the package, quite proud of what Eve had helped him pick out.

“Julian, what the hell were you thinking? Honestly, you can’t trust a man to do anything right. Gwen would hate this, don’t you know her tastes by now?”

He looked at her, slightly hurt by the comment.

“I think it’s really nice, it’s pretty and she can put it in her room.”

“You have no brains I swear, just give me the card back and I will get a refund, I am going back downstairs to buy something else. This is the tackiest thing I have ever seen. I can’t believe you picked it out.” She said rolling her eyes.

“You are not taking it back Gwen will love it, I don’t care what you say, I know she will.” Julian said.

“Stop being so difficult and give me the credit card, I need it now!” she demanded.

“Sorry, this is the gift Gwen is getting, you want to buy her something else, open your wallet, there is bound to be something in there besides moths.” He said sarcastically.

“You better watch yourself Julian, I have only have to make one call to Luis and you will be rotting in jail for the rest of your life.”

“Rebecca, you are always using that line as a threat, and I am not buying it anymore. I am standing strong on this, you either give Gwen this gift or you give her nothing and if you don’t like it, take a walk off a short pier.” Julian said angrily.

“Fine then, keep the damn present, but I am still going to buy her something else Pookie.”

“Go ahead, it’s your money Becky.”

Rebecca slammed the door in a huff. Julian sat on the bed, enjoying the moment’s peace. Eve had returned to the room, T.C. was in the shower, when he came out, he was startled to see her back.

“It’s about time, where the hell have you been all day?” T.C. asked.

“You knew I went to get some air, I called you, remember?” Eve said.

“Well you missed Whitney and you missed a chance for us to talk, so now you are on your own then.” T.C. said.

“What do you mean?”

“It means, I got fed up waiting for you, I made plans to go with Liz for dinner.” T.C. said rudely.

“So you want me to eat alone?” Eve said.

“Yeah, I am sure you can nuke a frozen dinner right?” he said dryly.

“T.C.!”

“Sorry, you are on your own Eve, it’s bad enough you work a lot, now you take off even when we have time to be together. So I say screw it, find something else to do.”

“I can’t believe you are taking off.”

“Well I am, we will be back later.” He said opening the door to Liz.

Eve couldn’t believe the nerve of either of them. She was so angry, she sat there wondering what to do next, and then she had an idea. Julian sat there, enjoying a drink, when his cell phone rang.

“Hello.”

“Julian, are you alone?”

“Eve.” He said surprised to hear from her.

“Is Rebecca there?” she asked.

“Actually no, she stepped out to buy another gift, can you believe she didn’t like what we picked out for Gwen? But never mind that, what’s the matter love?”

“T.C. took off with Liz for dinner, he’s mad at me.”

“Oh sweetie, I’m sorry.”

“Yes Julian, oh I wish you could come over.” Eve said sadly.

“I can if you want me to.”

“No Julian, what about Rebecca? You don’t want her getting even angrier with you.”

“Forget about her, she is being the biggest bitch right now, I need to get out of here anyway. Besides you are more important to me than her any day.” Julian said.

“Thanks Julian, but I really don’t want you to get into any more trouble with her.”

“Do you honestly think I am worried about Rebecca? Eve, I will be there in a few minutes, just sit tight.”

Julian wrote her a quick note about a sudden business meeting that came up and headed over to Eve’s room. When she opened the door, she looked at him.

“My poor Eve, you can’t win can you?”

“No I can’t.” she said throwing her arms around him not wanting to let go.