Page 64 of The Dreidl Disaster

“So,” she said, eyes wide and looking up at him with a mix of emotions playing across her face, drawing him in and making him want to untie the threads at the same time.

He didn’t want to let go.

Unfortunately, he had to remind himself that Abe’s backyard sukkah, in the middle of a party that Abe had thrown for his benefit, was NOT the place to continue exploring Liv—her mouth, or her body.

“What do you recommend we do here, Mr. Expert on…Delicate Situations?”

He shook his head, suddenly torn between his reflexive need to plan a way out that didn’t harm her. And his lack of desire to leave her, because ways out and planning required distance, walls.

And he wasn’t strong enough for those.

“I…don’t know,” he managed, his mental walls erected out of goopy modeling clay barely separated his desires for her and his need to smooth a path professionally; the way he’d done since he was twenty-one and one of his college friends had desperately needed his help.

“But what I do know,” he said, grasping for clarity, “is that your sister is here and…”

“That’s true,” she said, moving back toward him as if he hadn’t said a word. “But that isn’t the delicate situation I’d like to consult you on.”

“What situation would that be?” he asked, barely able to get the words out; even wrapping his mind around what was happening seemed beyond him. And the goopy clay that was starting to show holes.

“The situation where—” she put her arms around his neck “—I’ve decided I’m not done kissing you.”

The clay fell over like melted wax, as if it had never been shaped into something akin to solid form. Words emerged out of the darkness. “Kiss me already,” he said.

“Very well,” she replied, her lips meeting his this time, those beautiful eyes of hers searing right through him and destroying every single wall he had ever attempted to build.

It was his turn to break the kiss. “I’m afraid that if we don’t go back to the party, someone’s going to send in asearch party.”

And when she nodded, she didn’t pull away completely. She simply stepped away long enough to stand next to him and take his hand in hers. “Let’s keep them from wasting their time,” she said. “Though I don’t expect them to be glad we had them call off the search.”

And for the first time all night, he went into the storm of his best friends’ backyard, happy, unconcerned, with a woman whom he saw something more than just a moment with.

Lucky for him, his friends were as excited about the prospect as he was. He hoped they’d leave him time to get adjusted to the situation before involving themselves further and requiring he bring her to Tuesday dinner.

Chapter Twenty

Liv had neverbeen around someone who fit into her life so easily. The digitization project, and time with Artur and her family filled her days after the party. It was wonderful. Until the Wednesday morning when her phone rang with an unfamiliar number.

But the number had a label:county government. Which meant she had to answer it. “Hello, Mayor Nachman. How can I help you?”

“Hi,” said the woman on the other end. “Lacy Bryant Williams. I’m going to be your caucus leader in the County Board of Legislators, and I’m calling to welcome you to the caucus.”

“Thank you,” Liv said. “I’m looking forward to working with you.” And she was. The caucus leader was a pretty well-known figure; she was responsible for creating proposals that initiated a bunch of changes that had happened in the county over the last few years; the cross-county train system and shuttle buses, as well as a few other important items.

“I’m looking forward to working with you as well, Mayor.”

“Would you be able to attend our Hanukkah celebration here in Briarwood?”

“Hanukkah?”

Liv smiled, used to the confusion from those who lived and worked beyond the towns in the hyper local area. But she pushed forward. “Yes. In conjunction with the New York Empires the Briarwood Synagogue, and the Briarwood Temple Sisterhood. It’s the first year that we’re doing this, having a celebration that allows our Jewish residents to feel seen and welcomed in our community. I hope it’s a tradition that the next mayoral administration continues.”

“You’ll have to give me more details,” the caucus leader replied. “But yes. I’d love to come. Send my office the invitation and I will be there.”

“Thank you,” she said. “I appreciate it.”

“I look forward to it,” she said. “See you soon.”

And as she hung up the call, Liv knew that things would be kicking into high gear. Timelines needed to be tightened; schedules needed to be fixed. She pulled out her checklist and began take notes on what needed to be done.

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