Page 5

Story: The Eternal Muse

Yet here she was, her elbow tucked comfortably in his and their steps in perfect unison. Sure, he was a little weird with his leather cloak and gloves like he was freezing to death in the middle of summer. And acting like they’d been friends for a lifetime! But that was just artist types, right?

Besides, he was dashingly handsome. She never thought she was a long-haired and slender man kind of girl, but every glance at Sebastian set more and more butterflies free in her stomach. It was such a pity that they’d likely never see each other again after they left these stone halls!

Then again, perhaps that made a little flirting that much safer. The couple stopped in front ofThe Wedding of Canaand Isabel fluttered her eyelashes a little bit. “Isn’t this such a lovely piece? I doubt my wedding will have anything as cool as someone turning water into wine, but I hope everyone has as much fun as the people in this painting.”

“I suppose it’s fine,” Sebastian replied, his voice dry. “Veronese was quite proud of it, but he was a cocky bastard. Bragged to everyone he knew about being the one the monks commissioned.”

Isabel began to laugh, and Sebastian tilted his head questioningly. “I’m sorry, but you sounded like you actually knew the guy for a second, there. The way you acted so offended is hilarious! You artist types are such nerds, just like me.” She patted his chest teasingly, her eyes twinkling.

“Oh, uh, yeah. Lots of research. Definitely feels like I know quite a few of the famous artists, especially the Italian ones.”

Her laughter faded away and Isabel wiped a tear of mirth from her eye. “Aye, I get that. Though I’ve done a lot of research on Italy myself, truth be told. My family immigrated from there to the United States a couple of generations ago. I’d love to go visit some day.” Her eyes drifted back to the painting, a faraway look glazing their surface.

“That’s where I live. Italy, I mean. Vernazza, to be exact. I certainly wouldn’t mind if you dropped by for a visit if you ever make it there.” Sebastian flashed her a smile, and she was struck by how large his canine teeth were. All the better for eating meat, she supposed.

She flushed a little at the thought of meeting up again with this stranger in yet another foreign country, though it was hard not to admit that she liked the idea. “It’s a pretty tempting offer from a handsome man such as yourself. But I don’t know if it’ll ever happen.”

“You made it here to see the Louvre. I have no doubt you could make a trip to Italy happen if you truly wanted to.” Sebastian winked and pulled on Isabel’s arm. “Come on. We better keep moving, or we might attract the ire of the other patrons.”

Isabel didn’t resist. Truthfully, she felt like she’d go just about anywhere Sebastian asked. Why? She didn’t know. Deep down somewhere near her stomach, she justknewthat he was someone she could trust. Someone shewantedto trust. And so she allowed him to lead her to the remaining exhibits, until they stood at the exit.

“I suppose I had best let you get on with your trip, then,” Sebastian sighed, staring out into the Parisian sunlight. He withdrew his arm and bowed slightly. “I have taken up enough of your time. Though…how long will you be in the city?”

Isabel frowned as her companion released her, but resisted the urge to reach out and take his arm back. “Two more days. Well, all day tomorrow. I’m leaving at 9am the day after that, so I don’t think it really counts.” She was interrupted by the sound of her stomach reminding her that she’d entirely foregone breakfast this morning. Her cheeks became rosy and she peeked at her watch to discover that it was already 2:30.

“It sounds like lunchtime,” Sebastian teased, which only made her cheeks redder. “Would you like me to accompany you to find something to eat?”

The prospect was definitely tempting, but Isabel shook her head. Wandering a populous museum with a strange artist was one thing. Allowing him to follow her around the city? Even the feeling in her gut wasn’t loud enough to drown out her logic putting the kibosh on that.

“I don’t mind going by myself. But it was lovely to meet you, Sebastian.”

His eyes were filled with obvious disappointment, but Sebastian nodded. “It was lovely to meet you as well, Isabel. Oh! If you wouldn’t mind waiting just a moment?” He began patting his pockets, hands dipping in and out until they emerged with a small notebook and a pencil. Hurriedly he wrote something on the first page, tore it out, and handed it to Isabel.

In absolutely lovely script was an address. Isabel stared at it for a moment, and Sebastian seemed anxious about the look on her face. “It’s in case you ever do decide to take a trip to Italy! Or you could just write me a letter, if you felt like it.”

“I don’t think I’ve written a letter since the project in third grade where we had a lesson on how to address and mail envelopes,” she laughed, though the thought of having an attractive foreign pen pal felt warm. “Can I see your notebook for a moment?”

Sebastian handed it over, and Isabel scribbled down her mailing address, email address, and phone number. “In case you ever want to contactme,” she said, and handed the notebook back before whatever spell she was under could break and she lost her nerve.

Melody would 110% kill her for this when she got home.

The grin which spread across Sebastian’s face was nothing short of ecstatic. He almost reverently took the notebook and put it back in his pocket, as if afraid he’d lose it otherwise. Or that she’d swipe it back. Or maybe she was just reading far too much into his body language…

“I hope we run into each other again, Isabel.” He reached for her hand and she allowed him to raise it to his lips. He softly pressed a kiss to her knuckles and then let her go, his hand going from hers to pulling up his hood in one smooth motion. Sunglasses appeared from one of his pockets and as soon as they were on his face, Sebastian disappeared through the doors and into the swarming crowd outside.

Isabel blinked and shook her head for a moment, feeling like she was waking from a dream. Had that all just happened? Or was everything after standing in front of those paintings merely her imagination?

No, the slip of paper in her hand said otherwise. Sebastian and his strangely magnetic aura were definitely real. As were his lips, whose chill she could still feel on her skin. Odd that he could be so bundled up, yet still have cold breath. Must be a medical condition, she reasoned. Her stomach again began to growl. With one last look at the Louvre, she struck out into the city in search of a much-needed meal.

* * *

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. 30 July, 2006

“Alright girl, spill. What happened in Paris? Did you manage to get over that painting obsession of yours?” Melody picked up a piece of popcorn from the bowl on the couch and tossed it at Isabel. “Can we go back to obsessing over Matt Damon instead?”

Isabel dodged the fluffy ammunition and laughed. “I think I’m satisfied with the paintings, yes. But it was so weird when I was there…there was some shadowy figure staring at me from the background. Creeped me out.”

“Probably a detail that just didn’t translate well in the photography. What else did you do over there? Did you find any good crepes?! Did you find any goodmen? Itisthe city of love, after all!” Melody’s bright eyes searched Isabel’s face, widening when Isabel began grinning guiltily.