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The Bar Association’s Christmas party was as lively as Miss Gavin had promised it would be. The association had rented out the fancy dining hall at the Gatewater, and legal titans from around the city mingled over hors d’oeuvres and champagne while a live string quartet played on stage.
Tossing back the dregs in her champagne flute, Polly couldn’t seem to shake her nerves – not just because she was surrounded by intimidating Los Angeles lawyers, but also because she’d promised herself in the mirror that tonight would be the night she’d make a move on her boss.
It was proving to be more difficult than she’d anticipated. Everyone seemed to know Miss Gavin. They stopped her on the way to the bar to say hello, shook her hand, waved her over to meet this legal scholar or that retired judge.
Each time, Miss Gavin would flash a cordial smile, exchange pleasantries, and then turn to present her protégé with a variant of: “This is Penelope Justice, junior partner at Gavin Law Offices. She’s been a wonderful asset to the firm—a bright mind and quick to learn.”
As she said this, she’d gesticulate with some feather-light touch—a tap on the shoulder with her manicured fingers, a hand on Polly’s back. It was maddening, and made her forget half the names of people who introduced themselves to her besides. She’d been hoping that she and Miss Gavin would have more time to themselves, which is where she was planning to lay on the charm, but she’d barely had a chance to make small talk with Miss Gavin.
Finally, after an hour, a moment of calm descended upon them. Polly drew herself up, though that only let her reach Miss Gavin’s ample chest.
“Enjoying yourself, Miss Justice?” her boss said with a smile, smoothing out her pencil skirt. She took a delicate sip of champagne—Polly watched it pass her smooth lips.
“Ah, uh, yes! I’m fine!” Polly squeaked. “Lots of great food and, um, great people!” She took another gulp of champagne and suppressed a cough as it went down the wrong pipe.
“You seem nervous.” Miss Gavin smiled sympathetically. “Don’t worry—it can be intimidating to meet this many people, but it doesn’t truly matter that much what you say. As long as you smile and seem interested, people will remember you.” As she spoke, she stroked Polly’s cheek lightly with her thumb. Effortless, elegant touch, leaving Polly flushed and buoyant.
“Oh, thank you, Miss Gavin,” Polly stammered. “But that’s not it—if I’m honest, I was hoping we’d get a chance to—"
“Ah, Kris! I was looking for you earlier!” a jovial voice called from behind Polly.
“Merry Christmas, Jeannie,” Miss Gavin said, drawing an old, stately woman into a hug. “How are the grandchildren? Ah, let me introduce you to my junior legal partner…”
Before Polly had a chance capitalize on the moment, it was already another conversation. This one seemed to go on for ages, as the elder lawyer went on and on about her travels to Aruba and her grand-niece’s upcoming wedding. Polly did her best to smile and nod, but her disappointment and impatience ate at her.
By the time that conversation was over, guests were already beginning to fetch their coats. Miss Gavin scanned the room and noticed as well.
“Well, Miss Justice, shall we head out? It’s getting late, and I should really get back and feed my dog. I’d say we made a successful round of appearances, don’t you think?”
“Umm—sure, Miss Gavin…”
Polly’s heart sank as they gathered their coats. An entire night and barely any chance to wow Miss Gavin with the legal scholarship she’d meant to quote, or the witty jokes she’d prepared (on second thought, maybe better that she hadn’t had a chance to stumble her way through those.)
As they walked out into the brisk cold and toward Miss Gavin’s car, Polly squeezed her eyes shut. It was now or never.
“W-wait! Miss Gavin! Before you go, I-I have something for you!”
Her boss’s head tilted quizzically, her eyes crinkling in a smile. “What do you mean? A gift?”
Polly tried to smile, but she was sure it looked like a grimace. “Yes! One minute—let me just get it from my bag. It’s, uh, it’s in here somewhere…”
“You know, ‘gifting up’ is generally frowned upon in the office,” Miss Gavin said with a hint of mirth in her voice. The reprimand barely registered. Polly was distracted by the beauty of her smiling boss, blushing at the way the moonlight framed her silky blonde hair like a halo.
“Yes, ma’am, I know. I just—here,” Polly stammered, sweating under her peacoat. She presented the wrapped bottle to her boss and could scarcely look as she unraveled it.
“Wine? How sweet of you, thank you.” Miss Gavin’s smile was gracious and polite, but as she unwrapped the tissue paper her eyes widened in genuine surprise. “Oh, the Beaulieu Vineyard cabernet? I’ve been meaning to try this—how did you get your hands on it?”
“Well, I did a little digging and asked around at the winery based on the tasting notes you told me you liked.” Polly’s face felt like it could heat up a studio apartment right now. “Back when we went to dinner at the Chateau.”
“That was months ago, wasn’t it?” Miss Gavin’s hand gravitated to her chest.
“Yes, well, I made a note of it.” She swallowed. “Anyway, I thought that we could, umm…” Come on, Polly! You can do it! “Go back to your place and enjoy it together?”
Miss Gavin’s eyes were wide again. In the almost year they had worked together, Polly had never seen her boss caught off guard like this.
Finally she spoke with a laugh that sounded almost shy. “Miss Justice, you never fail to surprise me. Stammering your way through small talk at the party, only to spring a rare wine on your boss and invite her on a date? That’s bold indeed.”
“It’s—it’s okay to say no, you know…I just wanted to—”
“Shhh.” Miss Gavin leaned down and pressed her lips to Polly’s forehead, caressing away stray locks of hair with her gloved hands. “Let’s go have that wine together.”
Polly's heart flipped. “Really?!” she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around Miss Gavin’s overcoat.
“Yes, really.” She emphasized the point with three more forehead kisses that each made Polly feel like she was melting into syrup. “And I apologize - my gift for you is at the office, and I confess it’s significantly less romantic…”
“It’s ok, Miss Gavin!” Polly squealed, bouncing on her heels. “Spending time with you is the only present I need.”
“Now you’re laying it on too thick, Miss Justice…” Miss Gavin said with a wink. “Come, I’ll drive you back to my apartment.”
“Ack! I’m sorry! I just got excited…”
She followed Miss Gavin to her car, floating on air, and they drove away into the chilly night.