Chapter Text
Friday, June 15, 2012
Rebecca Westridge was late. With her son's wedding, and the trouble her husband was in, she had hardly any time in her busy schedule. But, she had promised her friends she would attend the gallery opening, and she hardly ever broke a promise. Especially not to Shirin and Kelly.
Brushing a strand of her shoulder-length blond hair behind her ear, Rebecca entered the spacious room looking for the couple, black purse in hand. It didn't take long for her to spot them. They were talking to a tall, dark-haired woman whose back was turned to her. With measured strides, Rebecca made her way to the women and caught Shirin's attention over the tall woman's shoulder.
"And here she is… finally," Shirin announced her friend's arrival before hugging Rebecca in greeting.
Kelly followed her wife's example, and noted that Rebecca was looking and smelling great as usual. "We're glad you made it, Becks."
"I wasn’t sure I would, but since you told me it was important… here I am," Rebecca said with a smile and a flourish and then turned to the dark-haired woman, Shirin gestured at.
"Becks, I would like you to meet Paris Scuffield, the artist," Shirin introduced.
But all of Rebecca's senses zeroed in on the young woman before her, the rest of the words becoming white noise.
The obviously younger woman was breathtaking with her long, dark, curly hair, falling over her shoulders and reaching her upper arms. The dark brown eyes sparkling at her were mesmerizing, holding her captive in some kind of a spell. Her full lips were painted discreetly, and smiling. Those same lips were moving, as she was saying something, but Rebecca was in some kind of a trance, spellbound by this beautiful creature before her. Swallowing, she wet her lips and cleared her throat, trying to concentrate on the conversation.
Shirin and Kelly had insisted on inviting an old friend of theirs, convinced that she would be interested in her art. Paris was nervous, this being her first showing ever after she had finally been able to buy the gallery. She hadn't expected so many people to show up to see her art, but the room was packed.
They were in an animated conversation when she felt someone approach, the tiny hairs at the back of her neck standing on end. With a dreamy expression, Paris watched the smiling, elegant, blond woman hug her friends in greeting and a shiver ran up and down her spine as she spoke the first words. Her fresh perfume enveloping Paris, she estimated her to be in her fifties, a little smaller than her with shiny blond hair in a tight bun and sparkling blue eyes. Her beautiful lips were smiling as she interacted with her friends, black purse in an elegant hand, gesturing and rolling her eyes. Her curvaceous body was draped in a form-fitting black dress, the skirt ending just above her knees and a white jacket with wide lapels on top. White pearl earrings adorned her ears, with a matching necklace around her neck and a silver watch glittered at her left wrist. The lights overhead reflected off her wedding ring and Paris' attention snapped back to the present when Shirin started to introduce the woman to her.
"Paris, this is Rebecca Westridge, one of our oldest friends," Shirin continued and glanced at her wife, making sure she wasn't the only one who could feel the chemistry between them.
Taking her purse into her left hand, Rebecca offered the other to Paris who took it into hers carefully. Their eyes locked, and she felt an electrical shock shoot through her arm. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Scuffield," Rebecca husked, suppressing a shiver.
Rebecca’s warm perfume filled the air. "Likewise, Mrs. Westridge," Paris was able to mumble, the spark running through her from their first touch, striking her almost mute.
Reluctantly, Rebecca pulled her hand back and let her eyes roam the paintings surrounding her. "I only just arrived but from what I can see you have serious talent, Miss Scuffield."
"It's Paris, please," she offered with a bright smile, and ignored the astonished looks Shirin and Kelly gave her since she was usually more reserved with people she just met.
Turning back to the younger woman, Rebecca smiled warmly. "Then you must call me Rebecca."
Neither of them were able to overlook the double-take from Kelly and Shirin at Rebecca's words but ignored them for the time being.
A woman carrying a tray with glasses filled with champagne or orange juice offered a drink to Rebecca and she opted for the juice.
"I would like to take a closer look around now, Paris," Rebecca requested and she smiled at the way the younger woman responded to her words.
"Go ahead," Paris agreed and gestured at her paintings, amazed that she was able to talk at all.
With a dreamy smile, Paris watched Rebecca walk up to her closest art piece, her eyes roaming the older woman's body appreciatively, but was rudely taken from her observations by Shirin and Kelly.
"Earth to Paris… are you there?" Shirin questioned with a knowing grin and waved a hand in front of her young friend's face.
Taking a deep breath, Paris focused on the couple with a sheepish grin. "Sorry…," she mumbled but they waved it away.
"No need… she is really hot, isn't she?" Shirin stated, with Kelly nodding along. "How about we go for a drink after the revealing of your centerpiece, and we ask Rebecca to join us?" Before Paris could protest, Shirin added, "Your assistant can take care of everything. You deserve a break."
~•~•~
Paris had totally disarmed Rebecca with her openness. The shock from their first touch was still coursing through her body. The soft, measured voice of the younger woman made her insides melt with liquid heat. From a distance, Rebecca took the opportunity to watch the young artist talk to people who were interested in her art. Paris had an easy smile and natural elegance about her, and a carefree spirit.
Trying not to stare, Rebecca perused the colorful paintings on the walls. They were beautiful, and showed real talent. Rebecca’s gaze drifted back to the artist. The younger woman was wearing a simple bordeaux dress with spaghetti straps and a dark scarf with colorful highlights in it, around her neck and draped over one shoulder. She moved with a catlike grace among her admirers and made easy conversation, talking about her art mostly.
"She’s a real eyecatcher, isn't she?" Shirin's voice startled Rebecca from her reverie.
"Yes, they are," Rebecca agreed, trying to play dumb but her friend knew her too well and she glared at the redhead. "You do know I am straight…"
"The way you look at her says otherwise, Becks," Shirin teased and lifted an eyebrow. "What's going on with you?"
Sipping her orange juice, Rebecca caught Paris watching her from across the room. The artist looked away almost immediately, once their eyes met.
Rebecca turned her attention back to her friend. "This isn't the place for deep conversations, Shirin."
"All right then… The four of us are going for drinks later and no excuses, please! You have to loosen up anyway," Shirin presented Rebecca with a fait accompli. "And now… let's join Paris and Kelly. It's time for her centerpiece."
Knowing that it was of no use to protest, Rebecca accepted her fate and followed her friend to a big canvas covered with a white cloth. She stood next to Paris, they exchanged a smile and then turned to the painting.
"And now for Miss Scuffield's centerpiece," the assistant announced and pulled off the cloth, revealing a colorful dreamscape. "Mists of Mystery."
It was a field of flowers surrounding a cloud, in it were two figures, one clearly recognizable as Paris with her tall, dark body and holding the hands of someone totally shrouded in mist. Everyone was completely in awe with the details and many came around to talk about the piece. It was a long time before all four of them were able to slip away from the crowds and into the fresh night air.
~•~•~•~