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The quiet, ambient sounds of lo-fi were suffused with amicable chatter, filtering throughout the high ceilinged and warmly lit space. Groups of (mostly) smartly dressed individuals milled about free-standing white walls, offering their opinions on the bright and severe canvases mindfully scattered about the gallery.
Pale green eyes cast around the space warily. Morgan was not here yet - was two hours late in fact - and Shin did not know any of these people and was not one for small talk. It was a bit daunting in some respects; she, a recent transplant to the area, didn’t know what to make of the crowd. She hadn’t figured out what made the people tick here. The last thing she wanted was to make herself an exile accidently before ever really ingratiating herself within this tight-knit community.
Swirling her champagne flute once or twice, Shin turned her attentions back to the piece she had been looking at for the better part of thirty minutes. It was a gigantic garish piece swathed in bright colors in layers of spray paint, acrylic and mixed media. Bold lettering was stenciled in a horrible lime green across the right side of the piece, simply reading ‘CITY’. The faux cityscape projected a cartoonish quality, but that was graffiti for you.
Shin’s stomach rumbled not for the first time that night.
Oh, how foolish she had been! She should have known better really…these things always did start on the late side. Morgan had grown used to keeping her late past her official shift end, so a choice had to be made today; freshen up and change or grab a quick bite over on her way to the Embarcadero from the west side of Golden Gate Park during rush hour.
Shin fiddled with the hem of her blazer, trying not to let annoyance seep too deeply into her countenance.
In truth, there had not been much of a choice. A delivery had arrived early this morning and Morgan was never in before 8am. Shin had to be there to sign over each wooden crate at 5am sharp. All the packages needed to be sorted and catalogued before the tedious job of unpacking canvases and small sculptural treasures needed to be undertaken. Packing debris and sweat had clung to Shin like a second skin by the time 4pm had rolled around, and there was no way she was going to make her first appearance to one of these events anything short of perfectly groomed.
Eschewing the traditional black art critics seemed to love, Shin had opted for a stylish pair of barely grey, almost white tapered trousers and matching blazer she knew set off her eyes. A plunging lace camisole was underneath, and a unique avant-garde necklace rested tastefully at her breastbone. Her hair was slicked back, not a lock out of place, and sharp dark eyeliner rimmed her eyes. Shin knew she cut a haughty and imposing figure; her air of indifference putting people off from coming up for idle chatter.
A busser passed by with a platter of sad looking hors d'oeuvres.
Shin’s stomach growled again.
She glanced toward the clock hung non-discreetly near the entrance to the gallery. It was nearly 8pm. Maybe Morgan wasn’t going to make it and she could just go back home now. One of the three artists showcased at this exhibit had already made a short speech, the second and third ones were due to make theirs over the next hour. To her mind the whole charade was stupid, art was meant to speak for itself. Most of these new contemporary artists were woefully under-talented…usually making it into the scene on connections alone. They loved to natter on about self-indulgent meanings in a farcical self-gratifying way which grated on Shin. Just take the money and run.
“Utterly stunning! I’ve never seen one of her pieces with as much depth as this! Usually, it’s all flat colors with the spray paint. This has layers. What do you think it’s trying to convey?”
“It’s a commentary on the socio-economic state of San Francisco itself of course! Don’t you see the depravity?”
“I’m not sure…I would think there would be more neutrals if it was about how trash this city has become. The bright colors make it feel happy and inviting.”
“Well one thing is for certain. This piece is superb! Brilliant even!”
Shin rolled her eyes as a small mob of pretentious wannabe critics and academics sidled up next to where she was standing. She prayed they would leave her out of this conversation, but luck was on her side tonight.
“Oh! Hello, you’re certainly new here…you must be Morgan’s new girl. Straight from the UK, correct?” A middle-aged woman wearing a dress that screamed ‘I bought this because it was expensive, not because it looked good’ clacked over to where Shin was stood, her simpering minions following behind. Shin could feel her body beginning to tense as they gathered around her.
“What do you think about Wren’s most recent stuff? It’s just terrific, isn’t it!” The woman gushed without missing a beat.
Shin grit her teeth. In truth, she hated this piece. She wished the woman would leave instead of trying to force her opinion, but American’s were nothing if not overly pushy until they got what they wanted.
Making a show of swirling her dangerously warm, and semi-flat champagne. Shin looked at the artwork in front of her again, considering what to say to her awaiting audience.
“Honestly? I don’t think there is any real meaning to it. I think it’s simply a mockery...like a child’s painting. The fact that it’s so deep in the laying of paint is countered by the fact it’s absolutely non-sensical. Like a wannabe futurist-deconstructivist nightmare. I personally think she just ran out of time and just kept going with this canvas till it ‘looked acceptable’ for the market. I know the art world likes to make out that Sabine Wren is the next big thing, but you can’t slap some words onto a canvas and pretend you’re Kruger. Is she trying to be pastiche slamming together styles from Lichtenstein and Pollock? The two styles don’t even go together in any sort of satisfying way. The canvas is simply a mess. No real messaging, just an over-indulgent mess.” Shin’s critique was delivered in a monotonous deadpan even though her remarks were utterly scathing.
The woman blinked owlishly at Shin, apparently not expecting such a harsh tear down. Without even trying to rebut Shin’s critique, she ushered away her posse sheepishly. Shin could hear the sharp whispers between them as they passed behind her but couldn’t find it in herself to care as they ambled off awkwardly. Good riddance. At least the gossip would most certainly keep the more pompous idiots away for however long she remained at the venue.
“Ouch! Do you really need to be so ruthless, even if you’re kind of right about this one?” A chipper voice suddenly pipped up from behind Shin.
Ugh, not again! Shin closed her eyes, forcing herself to stay calm. She just wanted to be done with this whole event. No more small talk.
“I’m surprised that someone is agreeing with me at all. They all keep gushing over-“ Shin turned to hopefully stare down and scare off another potential conversationalist when the words suddenly died on her lips.
There, standing adjacent to her was a familiar woman, just a hair shorter than herself. The woman had a pretty face, boasted a shock of short, messy purple hair and was dressed rather casually in a heavy black leather jacket covered in patches, worn blue carpenter jeans and paint splattered sneakers. Bizarrely, a pair of sunshine yellow sunglasses were perched on the top of her head even though it was dark outside. Even though Shin had never met this woman in person, she recognized her likeness.
The mystery woman grinned holding out her hand and offering a cheeky smile. “Hi, I’m-“
“-Sabine Wren.” Shin finished lamely.
“Bingo!” Sabine chuckled. “Guess you’re not a fan…miss?” Sabine arched an eyebrow, her smile not dropping.
“Hati. Shin Hati.” Her manners finally catching up with her, Shin finally took the proffered hand. Sabine’s skin was warm to the touch and rough with calluses. Hazard of the job she supposed.
“Shin Hati huh…” Sabine drew out the consonants thoughtfully, savoring them like a fine wine. Then a spark of mischief lit up her eyes. “More like Shin haughty…or should I say, Shin hottie?”
Sabine looked entirely too pleased with herself and her comments, her cheeky grin turning into a smug smile. It absolutely set Shin’s world a tilt, her heart jackhammering madly in her chest. Immediately, Shin let go of Sabine’s hand, her cheeks heating at the deliberate attempt at flirting…and then the second most mortifying thing to happen in the span of two minutes happened; Shin’s stomach growled loudly.
Shin closed her eyes, wishing the floor to split open and swallow her whole.
How could one exude intimidation and dominance with a loudly protesting stomach?
“So…” Sabine dragged out. “I guess you didn’t eat before coming out tonight…and yeah, honestly, the food really sucks.” To make her point, Sabine grabbed some tiny canapé from a passing busser, waving the bite sized morsel around on the toothpick holding it together. “I don’t even think this counts as a bite.”
The catering for this show was certainly subpar, with that Shin could agree.
Sabine tapped the toe of her sneaker against the expensive hardwood floor. “Hey, say we get out of here…grab some KFC…and maybe some beers? It looks like you’re not really a champagne kinda girl.” Sabine chuckled, nodding at the nearly flat liquid in the glass Shin was still dutifully holding. “I know a great place off Geary.”
“I don’t think…“ Shin hesitated, wincing as her stomach growled again. What was the worst that could happen? She was desperate to get away from this awful event and she had already eviscerated Sabine’s artwork with her words. What was it to her if the artist was a glutton for punishment?
Wait…was Shin actually considering this plan of action?
“Come on, I’ll totally make it worth your while.” Sabine raised her eyebrows. Her posture open. Hopeful.
Shin let the silence hang between them for a minute more, still unsure.
“You know what? Yes, let’s get out of here.” Fuck Morgan. It didn’t look like she was going to show her face to this thing anyway.
Grinning, Sabine reached for Shin, looping her arm around the taller woman’s, drawing her toward the exit with haste before Shin could change her mind.
“Fantastic! I hate these things so much.”
“Wait, shouldn’t we tell someone you’re leaving? Won’t they miss you? You need to give a speech!” The moment they exited the gallery, Shin was starting to have second thoughts. This was a new city for her, and she knew very little about Sabine Wren; Only that she was very pretty, her artwork was awful and her personal life was shambolic.
“Oh, it’ll be fine. I’ll just message Ezra. He’ll get Thrawn to say a few things. That guy loves the sound of his own voice more than he loves overly pretentious art.” Sabine continued to pull Shin down the sidewalk toward the end of the block.
“But the people there have been waiting for you all night!” Shin protested.
Sabine snorted. “They’re a bunch of morons really. Completely up their own asses. You’re not wrong about my official art you know. But there is a reason why I make it as pointlessly dumb as possible…don’t you want to know why?”
Shin certainly was curious. While contemporary art was not her forte, Sabine’s own self-deprecation had intrigued her. She had never met an artist who had agreed wholeheartedly that their art was self-serving, stupid bullshit.
Before she could answer, Sabine was jerking Shin to a halt in front of an incredibly conspicuous motorcycle. Under the streetlight, Shin could make out a bold array of orange, maroon, purple and grey streaks across gunmetal-colored bodywork. A small logo on the side of the thing read Aprilia Tuono. The wheel spokes and inner radius were a flashy metallic maroon color. Shin was almost certain Sabine had painted this thing herself.
“Really? We are getting on that?” Shin was incredulous, she certainly wasn’t dressed for riding in a pantsuit and dress flats.
“You’ll be fine! I’ll go slow and you can have my jacket.” Sabine had already busied herself unlocking a helmet from the side of the motorcycle which matched the color scheme of the machine itself. Obviously, also a custom job by Wren.
After pulling off her ridiculous oversized aviators, the helmet was quickly fitted over Sabine’s head. The artist then extracted something out of the side-carrier of the bike. A second helmet. This one was pink, maroon and white with a similar motif as the one Sabine had just put on.
Sabine turned to her companion, offering up the helmet. Shin took the thing, still unsure of this whole escapade.
Flipping her visor up, Sabine caught Shin’s pale green eyes in her gaze. “I promise you’ll be safe.” Her voice sounded muffled from inside the helmet, but Shin could feel an earnestness in the words.
Shin could not believe this was happening, she was absolutely sure madness must have taken her. Taking a deep breath, Shin slid on the helmet. Sabine shrugged off her thick leather coat handing it over to Shin as well, leaving the slightly shorter woman in a washed-out grey canvas button-up shirt.
“What about you?” Shin looked between the leather jacket and Sabine’s shirt dubiously.
Sabine chuckled as she moved to straddle the bike. “I promise, I’ll be ok too…do you need help getting on?”
“Just behind you, right?”
Sabine nodded a confirmation, flipping down her visor. “Keep close and your arms around me.” It wasn’t said flippantly or flirtatiously, almost as if Sabine knew that Shin was a little bit anxious.
“Okay.” When Shin pulled on Sabine’s jacket she was immediately assaulted by the strong scents of motor-oil, drying paint, the tang of metal and something uniquely Sabine. It did wonders to calm her nerves, and she quickly perched up behind Sabine on the bike, lacing her arms around the other woman.
“Hold on tight.” With a flick of Sabine’s wrist, the motorcycle roared to life, and they were rolling backwards before racing down Pacific Avenue.
“Not exactly first date food…but it could be worse, we could be doing wings or seafood or something.” Sabine ginned as she lifted the piece of fried chicken tearing off a chunk with deft fingers.
“So is that what this is…you’ve accosted me for a date?” Shin cocked an eyebrow, features unreadable although internally she was an anxious mess. Sabine had driven them to a little hole in the wall Korean restaurant just at the edge of the Tenderloin. Shin had been confused when Sabine had originally said ‘KFC’ but hadn’t questioned it at the time. It turned out ‘KFC’ meant something completely different in this city.
Not one to back down, Sabine locked eyes with Shin, the edge of her mouth lifted into a crooked smirk. “That depends on you…do you want it to be? I think I made my intentions completely clear back at the gallery.” Sabine popped a piece of chicken into her mouth, eyes sparkling.
“What about your…” Shin wasn’t quite sure quite sure what to call him. “…Ezra?”
Sabine chewed and swallowed, grabbing her beer off the table. “Ezra? What about him?”
“He’s your…ah, boyfriend isn’t he? At least that is what all the publications I’ve read make him out to be.” Shin could feel her cheeks start to redden. It took all her willpower not to fidget.
After a huff of amusement, Sabine takes a swig of her beer. “So, you read about me often?”
Shin rolled her eyes. “It’s part of my job to know the who’s and what’s of the art world, and you happen to be a rising star.”
“Hahaha…alright fair.” Sabine lifts the beer to her lips. “Well, those lovely lofty publications would be completely wrong of course.” She shakes her head, a tired smile playing across her face. “It’s what they would like him to be…but no. I’m as lesbian as they come, and completely unattached at the moment.” Sabine winked at her companion across the table before taking another long drink from the bottle in her hand.
Shin felt her face flush further and suddenly became very interested in the table. “Maybe we come back to that question.” It was mumbled. “I barely know you. You showed up just behind me back at the gallery.”
“Tch, well come on, it was my show! Of course I was going to be there…and anyway, isn’t that the purpose of a date? To get to know someone?” Sabine challenged. “To see if you’re compatible?”
“But why me?” Shin narrowed her eyes. “Were you stalking me around the gallery or something? Is that what you do with all the women you ask out?”
It was now Sabine’s turn to flush. “Um…well…you were really hard to miss back at the show...tall, blond and stunning like a Waterhouse or something.” Sabine mumbled before taking another sip of her beer. “Would it be so bad if I was hanging back waiting for my chance to try and talk to you?”
Mulling over Sabine’s words and trying not blush at the fact the artist found her stunning, Shin chewed at her bottom lip. “Sorry…it’s been a while. I haven’t really seen anyone since before I was an assistant curator at the Tate. Which…that was two years ago. I’m...not the best with flirting and the like.”
Sabine’s gaze softened. “Hey, it’s cool…it’s been a while for me too if I’m being honest. I’ve kind of…been focused on family stuff recently.” She taps on the table with her free hand. “So…the Tate, like the Tate Modern in London? I thought you hated contemporary shit.”
“No, not like the Tate Modern…well yes and no. I worked at the Tate Britain, they do not just display modern pieces there. My Godfather had a contact there, so I was able to get in just after finishing my doctorate. I generally prefer more classical pieces.” Shin looked down at her metal tray, finally deigning to dig into her rice bowl, hoping she wasn’t making a mess of the conversation.
Sabine let out a low whistle. “I mean that sounds like a pretty prestigious posting. Why not continue there? I mean…not that I’m not glad you made it to this side of the pond and whatever, because now you’re out eating fried chicken with me. I’m very grateful you showed up at my gallery show.” Sabine shoved another piece of chicken into her mouth, licking the excess sauce from her fingers.
Shin looked back up at the exact wrong moment, her face flushing slightly seeing Sabine popping the tips of her thumb and forefinger into her mouth. “Yes…well…” Shin cleared her throat, grabbing her own beer and taking more than a generous sip.
Surely, Sabine knew what she was doing…and was doing it on purpose.
“Well…what?” Shin narrowed her eyes as Sabine cocked a brow.
“Well, there wasn’t that much room for advancement there.” Shin sighed leaning back in her seat. “All the positions for senior curator were basically filled indefinitely…it’s quite competitive in London. I could have gone more north, but I didn’t really want to. I also thought about taking up a position teaching…but I really didn’t want to revisit the halls of university so soon.”
“So why end up here? There are a thousand different places who would kill to have you working for them!”
“I’m sure you’re being biased right now.” Shin chuckled. “You don’t really know where I studied or anything, only that I worked at the Tate for a bit.”
Putting down her bottle, Sabine mulled over Shin’s statement, tapping the side of her chin. “Yes, the Tate…that’s something I know about you now, and I’ve been detecting a bit of an accent…Eastern European I’m guessing?”
“You would be right, Ukrainian more specifically…but I’ve lived in the United Kingdom since I was 12.”
“Hmmm…I’m guessing there is a bit of story there. You can tell me now, or later…I mean…I’m hoping there will be a later.” Sabine offered up a grin.
She looked so eager and hopeful, there was no way Shin was going to say no to that face.
“Yes. There will be a later…and I’ve decided, this is definitely a date.” Shin couldn’t help the upturn at the corner of her lips. Sabine’s brazenness must have been infectious.
Beaming, Sabine clenched her fist, pumping up her arm in victory. “Yes! I knew you’d see it my way! So, Shin hottie, how did you end up in lovely San Francisco? Let’s get back to that…”
“Ok…so Morgan Elsbeth was a good friend of my Godfather’s, and there was a placement at the Legion of Honor…”
“Oh for fuck’s sake, I cannot believe you’re saying that! Michelangelo is so pedestrian!” Sabine looked as if Shin’s words had physically wounded her.
“He’s not, he was one of the greatest masters for a reason, Sabine Wren.” Shin huffed. “I think there are many others that would agree with me, he’s one of the best sculptors the world has known!”
“Ugh! But he only chiseled men well! All his women looked like men with boobs tacked on, how can you be a master if you barely have command over the female form?” Sabine grumbled. “I’ve seen his twink statue in the Louvre, we all know what he was up to.”
Shin snorted. “Are you really calling ‘death of a slave’ Michelangelo’s twink?”
“Yes! That’s exactly what I’m calling it! All those classical bastards are so boring, and so many men. You know they were all stealing each other’s twinks away from one another.” Sabine gesticulated wildly with her hand. “I bet Leo and Mikey had fights over who could get the best twink back in the day.”
Shaking her head, Shin couldn’t stop herself from grinning, her shoulders shaking with mirth. “If it makes you feel better, Rodin would have to be my all-time favorite.”
Suddenly stopping, Sabine held out her hands blocking Shin’s path. “Shin hottie, is that a toothy smile I see?” Sabine mock gasped.
“How very astute, captain obvious.” Shin crossed her arms, teeth still on display.
After dinner had drawn to a close, Shin and Sabine found they didn’t really want to part ways. Shin had the following day off and Sabine did what she wanted most days anyway. So instead of calling the night there, the two had found their way down to the Marina on the back of Sabine’s bike and were now strolling up the paved path towards the Presidio and Golden Gate.
“It’s my super awesome artist’s eye. I notice everything.” Sabine winked and turned back around, linking arms with Shin as the slightly taller woman resumed their walk. The pair were hardly the only ones out at this time, but the area still felt private enough for them to be wrapped up in their own little bubble.
“So, miss professor of art history…what would you say about visiting my studio down in Hunter's Point sometime?” Sabine unhooked her arm so she could slide her hand down against Shin’s, clasping their fingers together. “I know you’re not a huge fan…but I think you might dig the space.”
Shin rolled her eyes. “I bet you take all the women you pick up there.”
“Are you kidding? You would be the first!” Sabine swung their connected hands back and forth. There was an awkwardly long pause. “I don’t usually like taking people into my places because…well, they’re mine, you know? It’s where I go to work…I wouldn’t want it tainted with any sort of romantic drama.”
“So why me then?” Shin could feel her heartrate pick up.
“Well…for one, you’re the first woman to not blow smoke up my ass about my art!” Sabine chortled. “Plus…I may be willing to let you in on a little secret. Maybe…I’m not entirely sure yet.”
“Wait…you’re saying you like me because I insulted you?” Shin was incredulous by the preposterousness of the idea. “I thought it was my stunning good looks.”
Sabine continued to swing their hands back and forth with a childish glee. “Oh yes, you’re the first person to tell me straight to my face that my stuff is absurd bullshit that has no meaning! Well…maybe not the first, but definitely the boldest to call me out.”
The statement was said as a matter of fact. Shin just shook her head, totally puzzled. “Ok…now I’m confused. Why create it at all? It’s literally a futurist nightmare with neon colors and meaningless words! Don’t you want people to take you seriously? What about your legacy? At some point someone is going to find you out and write about it.”
“Hmn…” Sabine stopped swinging their conjoined hands. Shin could see a serious look cross the woman’s face. It seemed the artist was mulling something over in her mind. A minute passed, then two and three. Shin was starting to fear she may have killed the conversation.
“I feel like I just might be insane for even considering this…but can you keep a secret?” Sabine’s voice had lost the joking edge.
Shin furrowed her brow, her free hand anxiously running over her slicked back blonde locks. Could she keep a secret? Sure…she felt completely at ease around the artist, it was totally weird, almost feeling as if they had been hanging out for years…but in reality, she barely knew Sabine and Sabine barely knew her. However, in that moment something pinged in the back of her mind, true and clear. Yes, they barely knew each other…but Shin was sure she wanted to know more and more about the woman. To fill her life up to the brim with Sabine, to prove to the other woman that she was worth having and keeping in her life.
“Yes, I can keep a secret.” Shin said with absolute sincerity.
“What if…” Sabine’s fingers squirmed against Shin’s as they continued down the path. “What if I told you the reason I push my stupid meaningless art is because…I don’t want people to connect it to the real stuff I do.”
“Hold on…” Shin blinked in confusion. “You’re saying that you’ve got secretly good art you’re trying to cover up with bad art? How does that make any sort of sense!”
Sabine huffed, pulling Shin to a stop.
“Ugh…fine…I’ll just come right out and say it because clearly you can’t decipher words even with that PhD of yours.”
“Well?” The blond turned to her purple-haired companion, raising an eyebrow.
“I moonlight as a street artist. I don’t want people to trace my shit back to me, because fuck, I know I have money, but I don’t want to be blowing it all on legal fees.” Sabine grumbled, crossing her arms.
The gears in Shin’s head finally shifted into place as she stared into Sabine’s eyes, cross referencing any and all the graffiti artists she knew of who hadn’t had their real life identities revealed.
“Oh…oh my god!” Shin whispered. “You’re Spectre, aren’t you?”
“I can neither confirm nor deny that statement.” There was that twinkle again, a sly upturn of red lips…and Sabine let go of Shin’s hand skipping off across the pavement. “Race you to the pier at the end!” The artist then took off in a sprint, leaving a dumbstruck Shin behind.
“H-hey! Wait!” Once Shin realized what was happening, she dashed after her spunky companion.
The two sped down the concrete path, first at top speed, and then gradually Sabine started slowing allowing the blonde to catch up to her. She was laughing and breathless.
“I still can’t believe you’ve really not seen it lit up at night and you’ve been here months! The bridge looks so cool like this!” They were approaching a small pier that jutted out from the pathway. Not far in the distance, the Golden Gate Bridge, a bright rusted orange, was illuminated in the soft glowing light of its streetlamps. Shin could see that the fog was starting to roll into the Bay from between the massive piles of the bridge giving the whole scene a bit of an other-worldly quality.
Once Shin had fully caught up to the shorter woman, Sabine led them onto the darkened pier. They stopped at the end, looking out at the expanse of seawater before them lapping at the concrete, the glow of the city lights to their backs. Shin figured she’d inquire about Sabine’s more illicit activities another time. The artist obviously didn’t want to discuss them further right now…and the view in front of her was too dazzling to fret about the previous conversation.
“You’re right. It is incredibly beautiful.” Shin’s voice was soft. “I’ve been so focused on work…I’ve not stopped to really experience what this place has to offer beyond that.”
Scuffing her sneaker against the concrete, Sabine shifted her weight and leaned a bit closer to Shin. “So, is that you saying you’ve had a nice night with me then?”
Shin was surprised to hear a shyness creep into the other woman’s voice. Sabine had been nothing but overly confident all night…the vulnerability wasn’t an unwelcome change.
“Yes, most decidedly.” Shin’s response was earnest. She worried at her lip for a moment before making an impulsive decision to sling her arm around Sabine’s waist, pulling her flush to Shin’s side.
Sabine melted into the touch, resting her head against Shin’s shoulder. They stood like that for a bit, sharing warmth in the cool night air.
“This is nice…” Sabine sighed. “But you know what would be nicer?”
“Hmn?” Shin’s eyes were half lidded, her posture totally relaxed against the other woman.
Suddenly, Sabine was stepping out of Shin’s grasp, and standing in front of the taller woman, hands on the blonde’s cheeks.
“This…” And with confidence Sabine leaned in for a kiss.
Pale green eyes widened in shock as Sabine’s lips met Shin’s own. The curator was taken aback at first, but not wanting to give Sabine the wrong impression, quickly took to the kiss rather than remaining frozen. Lifting shaky hands, Shin placed her palms against Sabine’s hips, winding her thumbs in the belt loops of her jeans, jerking the artist closer.
Sabine groaned at the tug, and her deft fingers trailed along Shin’s sharp jawline, her pulse and to the nape of her neck, tangling in Shin’s fine platinum locks of hair. The kiss quickly intensified from inquiring to open mouthed hunger, consuming them both, neither wanting to break the lip lock to breathe air back into burning lungs. Eventually though, the fervor burned down into a slow smolder and Sabine finally pulled back, gasping for air, her mused fringe pressing against Shin’s forehead.
“Wow…that was…” Sabine’s eyes were still closed, and she couldn’t stop grinning between breaths.
“Yeah…it was.” The grin was clearly infectious as Shin couldn’t stop smiling herself.
The fog had grown thicker in their time lost to one another, fully engulfing the bridge, and sluggishly making its way down the beach toward the Marina. It was dense and wet and cold, looking like something straight off a Turner canvas, but Shin really couldn’t find it in herself to care much wrapped up in Sabine’s warmth. They rested there against each other for a few minutes in the shadow of the city, before Sabine leaned back in for another kiss. This one slower and more controlled than before.
“As much as I want to continue…the fog is definitely going to get worse, and I promised to get you home safe.”
They pulled up onto 20th, a few blocks away from the Park. Sabine’s motorcycle easing from a roar to a purr. The artist was able to find a free spot a few houses down from the building where Shin’s studio was. She put the kickstand down and shut off the bike but made no move to get off the thing…neither did Shin.
“So…I guess this is you?” Sabine’s voice was a bit muffled under the helmet.
Shin tightened her grip around Sabine’s midsection, resting the front of her borrowed helmet against the back of Sabine’s. They were flush up against each other still, and she really didn’t want to let go.
“Yes, this is me…”
Sabine placed a hand on Shin’s, her fingertips running across Shin’s knuckles. “You know…I hope this isn’t too forward. But would you be up for meeting tomorrow? I know we’ve been out late, and you probably have plans on your day off-”
“Yes.” Shin didn’t even wait for Sabine to finish her statement.
“O-oh…right, sorry I asked.”
Stupid! Shin mentally berated herself for not properly using her words. “I mean no! No plans, yes to meeting.” She didn’t care if it sounded eager.
“Yeah?” There was a breathless quality to the artist’s voice, even through the helmet. Sabine had let go of Shin’s hand and was half twisted in the driver’s seat. Her visor was flipped up and she was looking in the reflected surface of Shin’s.
“Definitely.” Shin unwound her arms from Sabine, leaning back a bit, pushing up the visor on her own helmet.
The pair seemed a bit lost in their own world, pale green and dark umber connecting in a way that just felt so comfortable and right. Shin leant in, the forehead of the helmet resting against Sabine’s and closed her eyes.
“I meant what I said earlier. This has been a wonderful night. Probably the best date I’ve ever been on really. Even if had a bit of an odd start.”
Sabine wrapped her arm loosely around Shin. “Me too…I’m so glad Ezra forced me to go to that gallery thing tonight. Guess I owe him a beer or something.”
“Yes, I guess you do.” Shin sniggered. “I won’t be getting Morgan anything for the invite though. The witch forced me to work overtime again today. I think it was payment enough.”
Sabine chuckled. “It did leave you stranded and hungry in my capable hands though! Where would we be without her?”
“I suppose we’d both be having a far more miserable night.”
Shin playfully shoved Sabine back, finally pulling off her helmet. Her once slicked back platinum locks were now mused and starting to curl. Shin ran a hand through white-blonde strands, trying to tamp them down before maneuvering herself off the bike. Sabine stood up just after, relegating her helmet to one of the handlebars. Her purple hair was stuck up in all directions. Shin found it endearingly cute and couldn’t help but step into the other woman’s personal space, fingering the locks down into some semblance of order. Their eyes connected again, and Shin couldn’t help but lean forward kissing Sabine slowly and gently. It was different from the hunger of earlier. A promise of more to come.
After several long moments embraced and enveloped with one another, Shin pulled back. Sabine’s eyes were glazed and dark with something Shin was afraid to name just yet, lest they continue their night in a more heated exchange…after all Shin had some level of propriety about her, even if Sabine did not.
“Keep the helmet for now, since I’ll pick you up tomorrow.” There was a shaky quality to Sabine’s tone.
“And the jacket?”
Another intense look crossed Sabine’s face, and Shin couldn’t stop the shiver coursing through her body.
“And the jacket.” The statement was firm, final. “You look good in it.” Sabine dropped her gaze, looking Shin up and down.
Shin crossed her arms. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
A look of confusion settled across Sabine’s features, brow furrowed, as her less than innocent observation was finally broken. “Forgetting what?”
“Tsk. And here I was thinking you were good at this.” Shin teased haughtily. “Phone number? How are you going to get in contact with me otherwise?”
“Oh…you’re right. Totally. Hah…silly me.” Sabine scratched the side of her neck. “Dunno where my brain just went then.” There was a twinkle in her eye as she offered Shin a wry smile.
Raising an eyebrow, Shin offered up half a smirk. “Sure, whatever. Phone?”
“Yeah, hold on…” Sabine reached over to the saddle bag and riffled through it for a moment before coming up with a black sharpie pen.
“Ah…I see you came prepared, but really I could just put my number into your phone.” Shin laughed lowly.
“Sorry, guess my brain is elsewhere…you see I just had this great night with this gorgeous woman, can’t get her ‘outta my head. She might be the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen…and I would know. Artist’s eye privileges and what-not.” Sabine chuckled.
Shin blushed heavily; well, it appeared Sabine just couldn’t be outdone tonight. She would have to try again tomorrow. Shaking her head, Shin grabbed the sharpie pen and Sabine rolled up the sleeve of her shirt, offering up her forearm while grinning like an idiot.
Jotting down her phone number in even, neat script, Shin capped the marker and stuck it in Sabine’s shirt pocket. Shin’s fingers hesitated by the collar of the canvas shirt for a moment before fisting the fabric, pulling Sabine in close to her.
One final kiss for the night.
Sabine’s eyes fluttered close, and before the artist could deepen the kiss, Shin was letting go and backing away, Sabine’s lips trailing after.
“See you tomorrow, Sabine Wren.” Shin winked and turned on her heel, heading toward her apartment. Behind her, she could hear Sabine scuffle a bit on the asphalt, her helmet hitting the ground followed by low cursing. It made her smirk…maybe she wasn’t completely outplayed tonight.
By the time the museum curator reached the front door, unlocking it, she heard Sabine rev the engine of her sporty bike.
“G’night, Shin hottie!” Sabine called out, and then the artist was racing off back down 20th.
Shin grinned.
She had a good feeling about this.