What Comes Before Part B?

I turned my back to Gavin, his fingers brushing my hair to the side so he could fasten the clasp at my neck. His hands played across my mostly bare back before settling lightly on my shoulders as I studied my reflection in the mirror, adjusting a few curls. "You look gorgeous," he said, bending to kiss my neck. "I almost don't want to let you go alone."

"You know that about five minutes of shmoozing would kill that instinct," I said playfully. Exams were over and it was the annual holiday charity ball held by the law society. Because after busting your ass all semester, who wouldn't want to get all dressed up and spend a night networking? Unfortunately, it was a necessary evil, especially with interviews looming. I had to go and try and make an impression with the firms so I could improve my chances of landing a spot at one of my top choices. Still, I wasn't looking forward to spending an evening getting my fake laugh up for middle aged men making crappy jokes.

Gavin laughed in agreement, rubbing my shoulders gently before dropping his hands. "And you're sure you don't want me to pick you up and drive you to Ainsley's later?" he asked.

I shook my head. "It's going to be a long evening, and I'm just going to make an appearance at Ainsley's. There's no point in you even coming. I'll cab back to your place later, okay?"

"No, no," Gavin said. "I'll come pick you up from there at least. Just text me when you want me to come get you."

"Thanks." I smiled warmly at him over my shoulder. Ainsley's parents were snowbirds who took off to Pheonix for a few months each winter. Left alone in their big beautiful house, she always threw a holiday party before she headed south to join them for Christmas. Usually I looked forward to it, and Gavin and I often shut down the party and crashed at her place. But not this year. Frankly, I was dreading it, and planned on making only a cursory appearance before pleading exhaustion and heading home.

Gavin began to run his hands up and down my bare arms, and I relaxed back into him and sighed, closing my eyes. "I cannot wait to peel you out of this later," he murmured against my hair. Gavin had a weakness for my bare back, and I knew this dress would be a hit with him. From the front, it was fairly demure, black with a high neckline and a skirt that came down almost to knee length. However, the fabric clung to every curve of my body, and the deep diamond- shaped cutout at the back added just enough sexiness to be appropriate for a professional event.

After a few minutes, I pulled away and turned to face him. "We'd better leave now, or I won't go at all!"

Gavin dropped me off at one of the older established hotels in town. The event was taking place in the ballroom, which was a huge, elegant room with high vaulted ceilings hung with massive crystal chandeliers. I grabbed a flute of champagne from a circulating waiter and scanned the crowd for a familiar face.

I spotted Bridget and Lianne across the room, and quickly made my way over. It was still early in the evening, so you could easily pick out the law students in the crowd, hanging out together in little clumps. We would all begin to mingle once the partners had a chance to take advantage of the open bar and become a bit more approachable. For now, the clear divide created a slightly awkward atmosphere that reminded me of boys and girls at opposite sides of a middle school dance.

I chatted with Bridget and Lianne for a while, careful to only take small sips of my champagne. It was good to have a drink in your hand at these things, but you definitely didn't want to get drunk. The partners were the ones here to have fun; we were here to try to make some kind of lasting impression.

After about an hour, the three of us drifted apart and I made my way to the bar for another drink. I was just turning back towards the crowd when I felt a hand settle lightly on my bare lower back. I stiffened and pulled away to face Julian, who was wearing a tailored black suit that probably cost more than six months rent.

He grinned at me. "Nice dress."

"Thank you," I said coolly, looking past him into the crowd, hoping to find a familiar face, or at least someone on their own who I could approach more easily.

"No boyfriend tonight?" Julian asked.

I snorted. "Like I would subject him to this massive display of ass-kissing."

He grinned. "You have such a way with words. Still though," he continued, his voice smooth as his eyes roamed appreciatively over my body. "That is a dangerous dress to be wearing without an escort. I'd better stay close and help you fend off any old guys who try to get handsy."

I laughed in his face. "You must be mistaking me for a gullible first year, if you think I'm falling for that line. I'll take my chances with the old guys," I said drily.

There was a chuckle from behind us and a deep voice said, "Looks like she's got your number, Pierce!"

I spun to face a guy in his late thirties, with dark hair threaded with silver. He clapped Julian on the shoulder, before smiling warmly and sticking his hand out to me. "David Wilton, Chapman Meyers King."

I felt my stomach flutter with nerves. CMK was the one of the biggest firms in the city, and the holy grail as far as most of us were concerned. I willed myself to be cool and professional, and placed my hand in his and shook it firmly. "Alexandra Matheson."

"Well Alexandra, any girl who's smart enough to see through this guy's bullshit is worth knowing," he said, smirking and nodding his head towards Julian.

Julian laughed, not in the least insulted. "Dave is good friends with my older brother," he explained to me. I smiled, and tried to contain my eye roll. Of fucking course. The rest of us would spend all night  ass-kissing in the hope that even one partner would remember our faces, meanwhile Julian was already on a first name basis with guys from CMK. Classic. They probably had an office with his name on the door already.

David leaned in and said in a conspiratorial tone, "I've known Julian since he was about five, and I've got tons of embarrassing stories to share."

I laughed. It was a refreshing change to have an actual human conversation with someone at one of these things. "I'm not sure any story is embarrassing enough to deflate his ego! Trust me, I've tried. It's invulnerable."

Julian grinned. "Yet you continue to make a strong effort. What a work ethic you have!" I almost spat out my drink when he turned to David and said, "Seriously though Dave, Allie is one of the best in our class. CMK would be lucky to have her."

David raised his brows. "High praise." He reached into his pocket and gave me his card. "Give me a call before interview week. You can come in and I'll show you around, get your face in the right people's heads."

I took it and smiled, "Thank you."

David threw his drink back and placed the empty glass on the bar. "I'd better make my rounds," he said. "It was a pleasure to meet you," he said to me, before slapping Julian on the back.

"You too." I couldn't believe my luck! Getting face time at CMK before interviews would be a huge advantage. Anyone would kill for this opportunity. And I owed it to Julian, of all people.

I smiled at him. "Thank you," I said sincerely.

He shrugged. "It was no big deal. I didn't say anything that wasn't true."

My smile turned shy and I felt a blush staining my cheeks. "Well, I really appreciate it."

He looked down at me. "I think this is the first time you've ever really smiled at me." There was a moment where we just stood there, looking at each other. His face was enigmatic without his trademark cocky grin.

I broke the silence and said teasingly, "It's the first time you've ever done anything to merit it!"

I felt the mood lighten as he chuckled. "If only I'd known the trick to melting the ice before now! Some girls like compliments, some girls like jewellery, but no, not you.  The only way to your heart is by networking!"

I rolled my eyes and laughed, drifting off to mingle. I saw a partner that I'd worked under during my summer internship, and she introduced me to a few others in her group. The conversation was surprisingly interesting. I usually felt like such a poser at these events and ended up awkwardly standing off to the side of a group or forcing myself to make small talk, but the encounter with David had leant me confidence and I actually found myself joining in naturally. When I finally made my way to coat check around eleven thirty, it was with a satisfied feeling of knowing I'd made a strong impression.

On my way out, I passed Lianne, who was deep in conversation with several older men. I could tell by the forced smile on her face that she was dying of boredom. I gave her a wave and headed out the ballroom doors to the front of the hotel and pulled out my cell to call a cab.

I was waiting at the doors when a high-pitched giggle caught my attention. I looked behind me and rolled my eyes as I saw Julian coming towards the doors, his hands in the coat of a first year student I recognized vaguely. By the look of her hanging all over him and the constant giggling, she'd definitely been enjoying the open bar. Our eyes met over her head and I raised my eyebrows . "Have a good night," I said, a cynical note in my voice.

"Oh I will," he said, winking at me as he ushered her out the door.

I shook my head at him. Before long, my cab pulled up and I was giving him Ainsley's address. I leaned my head back against the seat, and heaved a deep sigh, fighting the sinking sensation in my stomach that the hard part of the night was just beginning.

*****

Come back tomorrow for Part 2!