Love Metamorphosis

Chapter 15

                  

She was swept through the introductions, the names passed over her like raindrops, some of them falling on her and some of them falling elsewhere. She had a decent memory but even she was overwhelmed. Eric never left her side; he was always close at hand and was watching over her like a hawk. She guessed it was because he knew she was not accustomed to public events. She had attended the last one with her father when she was 18. He respected her hatred of public events.

The event was meant to promote literature in underprivileged schools around the country. The money would go to purchasing new textbooks for the classrooms and books for the library. Their goal was to promote reading, the basis of human excellence. Jemma thought it a noble cause, though a bit naïve. Underprivileged schools typically had children in fifth grade who couldn't read at a first grade level.

"Turner, as in Turner Transportation?" The son to the Ambassador of France said, he had hair as blond as gold and a charming face.

"Yes, that is my father's company." Jemma answered smoothly, it had already happened twice before that and she was prepared to answer.

He offered his hand and when she went to shake it, he turned it and kissed the top of her hand. She did her best not to cringe, but she couldn't hide her shock.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, and may I say that you are very lovely this evening." He slowly released her hand and Jemma made herself take it back very slowly.

"Thank you." Jemma said putting on a smile which faltered as Eric put a hand on the middle of her back. It had been a while since anyone had touched her back, even though the dress she felt the heat of his hand.

"Dinner is about to be served, shall we go to our table Jemma?" Eric said, while his eyes bore holes into the other man and Jemma almost couldn't help but laugh.

"Your flattery is appreciated, one can never feel over complimented, but as Eric is my ride home, I should pay him the compliment of my attention," Jemma said offering her hand, in a very determined shaking position, "You must excuse me."

"Of course," he said with a half-smile, shaking her hand slightly before releasing it, "Perhaps next time you can pay me the compliment of being my date."

"Perhaps," Jemma said, knowing the likely hood of her willingly attending a function such as this was slim, "Do not forget to give for the children."

"Only at your insistence," he said as Eric turned her toward the dining room, "Enchante mademoiselle."

"Au revior." Jemma answered, before turning back to Eric, "We need to have a signal to warn me whenever we are approaching someone who's a renound flirter."

Eric slowed his pace once they were safely out of earshot. "You seemed to handle it perfectly." He said with a grin.

"I scared off more than one money hungry suitor in my day," Jemma replied with a little bit of venom in her voice, "They are easy to spot."

"We are alike in that regard than." Eric retorted pulling back her chair and pushing it in once she was seated.

"Thank you," Jemma said taking the napkin and laying it across her lap. "Were you engaged to one of them and when you let them know your money was in a trust that gave just enough money to live on and not to fund an extravagant lifestyle they left you?"

No one else was at the table but Jemma couldn't help but stiffen when he leaned over the chair and said into her ear, "I had a woman I dated in college bring a child and say it was mine. I know the likes of greedy people."

Jemma instantly turned and put her hand on his that gripped the chair. "I am sure you wanted to do the honorable thing if he was yours and was disappointed when you found out he wasn't." She spoke without thought, her instincts guided her.

Eric's eyebrows pressed down over his eyes, "How did you know that?"

Jemma took off her hand and was instantly embarrassed. She muttered, "You looked unhappy, and Mary says you love children it is only natural to assume you want your own."

Eric sat down next to her, silent for a while and Jemma was afraid she had offended him. She bit her bottom lip and stared at her dinner plate, while she decided what to do. Inspecting the rose engraving on the plate she tilted her head slightly toward him.

Clearing her throat slightly she said softly, "I am sorry if I offended you, it was not my intention to do so."

Eric's hand covered hers and she was confused by its warmth. It was only then she realized how close they were as he whispered, "You have simply surprised me. I have never to been so fully understood by someone in such a short time."

Jemma smiled brilliantly, relieved not to have offended her friend's grandson and said excitedly, "Perhaps we have already formed an easy friendship."

He released her hand and reached for his water as he said, "I never thought I would have a friend that was already close with my grandmother."

"It is rather unexpected," Jemma all but giggled, "The rest of your grandmother's friends are likely three times your age."

Eric's eyebrows shot up and he started chuckling as well, "How old do you think I am?"

"My age of course, 28 or 29. Maybe 30." Jemma guessed, attempting to swallow her giggles.

"Grandma would not be happy to know you thought she was almost 90," Eric replied and his smile deepened when she laughed, "Fortunately for her I am a third her age and she will be 75 next year."

Jemma had just taken a drink of her water and nearly choked on it from surprise. She looked at him as though to ask 'you're younger than me?' while she was coughing. He patted her back gently and took the water from her to set it down.

"I had no idea you were older than me," Eric said as though he sensed her confusion, "You don't look a day over 25."

"I have a Ph.D. in child psychology; just doing the math you should have guessed I was older than you." Jemma finally stopped choking and pointed out.

"Is that a problem?" Eric's eyes sparkled with amusement.

"Here I was thinking you were the wise, longer lived of the two of us and I am the elder," Jemma sighed and reached for the wine, "I am getting old."

Eric laughed as someone took the seat to his immediate right, "You are hardly old and wrinkly, Jemma. My grandmother would be offended and would likely show you a thing or two about being old. "

"Pish posh," Jemma replied, all the while smiling, "you young whippersnappers don't know a thing!"

Jemma had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing too loud, and too late she realized that they were drawing attention to themselves. They were like a bunch of teenagers in a cafeteria and Jemma couldn't help but enjoy herself. An older gentleman with a slight limp crossed the room right toward them. He had a determined look on his face.

Eric stood and went around offering the man his help, but the old man waved him off. "Who might you be young lady?" He asked, perhaps because she was a new face.

Jemma glanced at Eric and a great grin broke out onto her face, "I am Jemma Turner, may I offer you a seat at our table? I must warn you at least a decent amount of silliness may ensue."

"At least something will make this dull feast worth attending." He said and glanced at Eric as though to tell him to get the chair out. Eric shot her a look that made her smile before complying.