Dawn of Eve - MJ Howson (read full novel .txt) 📗

“Oh! So soon. I’m . . . I’m not quite ready for company.”

“Neither am I. I just left a client. I’m all sweaty. If you want to wait for me, we could shower together.”

Jacob smiled as Dawn’s laughter echoed through the earpiece. He tried to remember the last time he heard her laugh so loudly.

“It’s a date,” Dawn said. “See you soon.”

Jacob made it to Dawn’s apartment in less than twenty minutes, sprinting through traffic whenever he could. His back was still bothering him, and he hoped the interval training would help to loosen his muscles. He was drenched in sweat by the time he reached the Spire’s express elevator.

Jacob tossed his jacket on just as the doors opened to Dawn’s penthouse suite. He didn’t want to greet her with sweat running down his arms, although deep down, he knew Dawn would probably like that. Jacob stopped to check himself out in the mirrored lobby, disappointed to see his jet-black hair flopped everywhere. He quickly slicked it back and adjusted his form-fitting nylon jacket. Jacob ran a finger across the scar that ran through his lip and cheek and frowned.

The door to the apartment opened, and Dawn came running over to see him. She was wearing a white kaftan covered in black petals. The ruby brooch she wore the other day was clipped up high above her chest, and she was wearing the clunky gold sapphire ring.

“Look at that smile,” Jacob said. He swept Dawn into his arms, kissing her longingly and gently on her lips. “You look beautiful.”

“Oh, stop!” Dawn giggled as she pecked at Jacob’s cheeks, showering them with kisses. She ran her fingers through his hair. “You’re sweaty.” She then sniffed his clothes and frowned. “And you stink.”

“It was a long two miles. Too many lights.” Jacob pressed his nose against Dawn’s hair and inhaled. The sweet scent of lavender and citrus took him by surprise. “You don’t.” He stepped back and grinned. “Are you wearing perfume?”

“Just a spritz. From my mother’s collection.”

Dawn took Jacob by the hand and led him into the apartment. Lalah Hathaway’s You Were Meant for Me wafted from the overhead speakers. He tossed his duffel bag beside the exit and followed Dawn over to the kitchen. She grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and passed it to Jacob.

“Thanks.” Jacob quickly downed the entire bottle. He unzipped his jacket and smiled at Dawn. He nodded toward Dawn’s head and said, “Still undecided, I see.”

“Oh, this?” Dawn ran her fingers against her scalp, highlighting her ever-growing dark roots. She flipped her hair, now extending past her shoulders, behind her neck. “I know.”

“So, how’s your week been?”

“It’s been great.”

“Did you see your therapist this week?”

“I did.” Dawn paused and gently bit her lip. “We talked about you coming in for a session.”

“Oh.” Jacob briefly studied Dawn’s nervous temperament. “So, the doctor feels I need to be there?”

“Well . . . not exactly. I mean, it was my idea.”

“What does he think?”

“He . . . told me to ask you.” Dawn shook her head and sighed. “He’s done that before. Maybe he doesn’t want you there.” She opened a drawer and pulled out a stack of take-out menus, and slid them toward Jacob. She said, “Honestly, Jacob, there are days I just don’t understand him.”

“But you seem so much happier.”

“I’m happier because of Eve.”

“That doll?”

“She has a name.” Dawn walked up to Jacob and kissed him on the cheek. “Stay here. And close your eyes. I have a surprise for you.”

Jacob watched as Dawn hurried over to her studio on the other side of the living room. The door was closed. Dawn stopped and looked back at Jacob and said, “Close them!”

Jacob leaned back against the kitchen counter, sighed, and closed his eyes. A series of thumps and clunks echoed throughout the room, but Jacob resisted the urge to peek.

“Okay, you can open them now,” Dawn said.

Dawn was standing next to the fireplace with a pristine white stroller in front of her. She smiled as she maneuvered the buggy around her furniture and over to Jacob. When she stopped in front of him, he looked inside to see the doll tucked beneath a white blanket, the eyes closed.

“Well?” Dawn said. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

The carriage, like most of Dawn’s purchases, was very expensive. The Silver Cross Kensington Pram was hand-built and hand-sewn. The sixteen-inch white spoked wheels were a classic design, as was the chrome detailing and leather handle. The timeless shape resulted in a baby stroller that looked like it came from the 1940s.

Jacob ran his fingers across the stitched hood. Having worn endless fabrics during his modeling career, he knew quality when it brushed against his skin. He had to admit the design was impeccable. Jacob pried his eyes away and asked, “You don’t plan to wheel it around in public, do you?”

“It?” Dawn gently pulled the doll out from beneath the blanket, causing Eve’s eyes to immediately snap open. She began to rock Eve back and forth. The swaying motion made the eyes click and clack open and closed. “The doctor said this is good for me. Eve’s part of my therapy.”

“Oh, okay.” Jacob tried not to frown as he watched Dawn begin to dance around with the doll nestled in her arms. He found it all rather odd but wanted to be supportive. “I just don’t want people making fun of you for pushing a doll around. They might think you’re crazy.”

“Nonsense. She’s beautiful. Just like our real Evelyn would have been.”

“I’m sorry, can you repeat that?” the voice assistant asked.

“Cancel,” Dawn said.

“You really need to change the assistant’s name,” Jacob said.

“I know.” Dawn continued to dance and sway with Eve. “I’ll call the technician tomorrow.”

Jacob turned his attention to the pile of menus scattered across the countertop. Having worked up quite an appetite with Carol, his stomach growled loudly. He said, “What do you feel like? Chinese? Italian?”

“It doesn’t matter