Page 2 of Balancing Act
As the clapping subsided, the jazz band resumed its performance, its soft melodies floating effortlessly through the gallery. Sean handed Beth a fresh glass of champagne, and she felt the weight of the night finally settle over her.
Conversations filled the room again as people began to mingle, and Beth scanned the space, hoping to see the woman in the suit. She had every intention of walking right up to her and introducing herself. She spotted her, and Beth made to move in the woman’s direction, but a gentle hand on her back guided her toward a small group of gallery patrons.
“I hate to interrupt whatever moment you’re having,” Sean whispered in her ear, a hint of amusement in his tone, “but I need to borrow you. There are a few people I want you to charm the pants off—or at least charm enough to invest in your art. And don’t forget, Lane Walker is here tonight.” He drained the champagne flute he had been holding in one gulp. Beth’s ears perked up at that name.
“Lane Walker is here?” she asked.
Sean nodded, an excited glimmer in his eyes.
“How did you manage that?”
Beth had told herself this night was about celebrating her success, but the reality was clear: landing Lane Walker’sattention could open doors to opportunities she’d been chasing for years.
“I’m incredibly good at my job, darling. Plus, Lane owed me a favor. I saved their ass after that installation mishap at LACMA two years ago, right after they became head curator. I cashed that favor in for you. If you want a spot on the residency program in LA, Lane is the one to impress.”
As Sean led her toward the patrons, Beth glanced back over her shoulder. The woman was still there, her gaze steady and unreadable. Beth bit the inside of her cheek, already making a mental note to find her later. She had to know who she was.
She hated this side of being an artist—all the small talk, schmoozing, and listening to people drone on and on about things she frankly didn’t care about. But Sean was right; this was part of pursuing painting as a career. So she put on her bestI’m actively listeningface and smiled gently at the older woman Sean had introduced her to. Beth had already forgotten her name. Still, she smiled and nodded as the woman rambled on about all the artwork she had collected over the years.
Beth’s attention shifted the minute chestnut curls crossed into her view. The woman in the green suit. She caught herself stealing glances, her eyes tracing the contours of the woman’s figure before she forced her attention back on the potential patron in front of her. Her mind was spinning, trying to think of a reasonable excuse to get her out of this discussion and free to pursue what she hoped would be an interesting exchange with the brunette.
Her eyes drifted back toward the woman who was unknowingly—maybe knowingly—taunting her through proximity alone. This time, though, the woman was joined by a petite redhead. From Beth’s vantage point, the soft light of the gallery illuminated the brunette’s features, giving Beth a clearerglimpse of her face. Deep-set eyes and striking cheekbones framed her face beautifully.
The redhead must have said something funny, because a slow, easy smile spread across the other woman’s face, punctuated by the most adorable dimples Beth had ever seen. The sight sent a warm, fluttering pull through her, stealing her breath for half a second. Oh, she was in trouble. She was swooning—hard.
“Beth?” Sean’s eyes were on her as he waited expectantly.
She snapped her attention back to the group. She hadn’t realized how long she’d been zoned out.
“Yes. Yes, my apologies. Something you said sparked a creative thought that I allowed myself to indulge for a moment.” She flashed the group a smile. They seemed to accept her excuse without question and continued the conversation.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice what had you distracted,” Sean hissed slyly, as they moved away from the group. “Creative thought my ass.” He shook his head in mock disapproval, causing Beth to smile.
“Can you blame me? Did you see her? She’s gorgeous. And the way that suit fits...” She sighed. “Perfect.”
“You’ve always been a sucker for a brunette in a suit. You know what? I say go for it. She’s cute, and you’ve earned it.”
Beth rolled her eyes at Sean. Who did he think he was, trying to give her permission? “Funny, last time I checked, I didn’t need your approval.”
“Well, before you do or don’t do anything, there are a few more people I need to introduce you to before the night is over.”
She threw back the last of her drink, finishing it in one gulp. “Let’s get it over with.”
As much as Beth hated Sean’s interruptions, she knew he was right, but by the time Sean had finished introducing her to his special guests, her cheeks hurt from fake smiling her waythrough each handshake and resulting conversation. There was only one person left to talk to—Lane Walker, who, every time Sean and Beth approached, seemed to be deep in conversation with someone else.
“I need a break,” Sean declared. The attendees had thinned slightly as the evening wore on, but many people remained. “Let’s reconvene in an hour. I’ll grab you if I can manage to snag Lane. Now go, mingle, and don’t forget,be charming.” She glared at him as he turned and made his way toward the bar, leaving Beth alone for the first time in an hour.
“I’m always charming,” she mumbled, eyes scanning the room carefully, looking for a specific shade of emerald.
Beth spotted her, and she couldn’t help the grin that instinctively pulled at her lips, seeing that this time, the woman was alone. She grabbed another champagne flute from a passing waiter and took a long sip before deciding it was now or never. As Sean had said, she had earned this.
“That one makes you think, doesn’t it?” Beth said softly, taking the last few steps to close the space between them. She nodded toward the painting the woman in the suit had been studying.
The woman turned, meeting Beth’s gaze before letting her eyes sweep over her—subtle, but not subtle enough to miss.
A knowing smile tugged at the corner of Beth’s mouth. It had been a while since she’d been checked out like that.
Yeah, this woman was flirting with her.