Page 24 of Becoming

“Until I decide to forgive you for disappearing,” Hunter replied with mirth.

“I didn’t just disappear. I had business to take care of,” Rebecca explained once again. It was the truth.

“You didn’t say goodbye, Becca. And, you’ve been gone for quite a while. Do you expect me to believe that something else wasn’t involved?”

Rebecca sighed because that was the truth, too. “You’re right. There are things I need to work out.”

“Things that you couldn’t have talked to me about?”

“It’s… complicated. I think I just needed to be near my aunt for a bit.”

“Yeah, okay. How much longer do you think you will be?”

It seemed the only time she genuinely smiled these days is when she talked to Hunter. The doctor who saved her that night so long ago continued to save her as her best friend. Though she found the doctor charming and beautiful, the two never became intimate. A fact that Rebecca was truly thankful for. Hunter’s friendship meant the world to her, and she wouldn’t dream of ruining that with sex. Besides, as Rebecca found out during one of their late-night conversations, Hunter was dealing with her own complicated situation.

“I don’t know, babe.” The reality was, Rebecca was getting restless. She didn’t know how long she could keep running away from what she was feeling. “I promise to let you know the minute I’m on my way back.”

“Do that. I’ll be visiting my folks this weekend, but I’m always available. You know that.”

Rebecca always had a bit of anxiety when Hunter went to visit her parents. Her “complicated situation” came in the form of a woman there that was no good for Hunter. She had no idea how deep those complications were. But seeing how much it hurt Hunter, Rebecca wished she could convince her friend to get rid of the problem permanently. But who was she to give relationship advice when she couldn’t handle her own shit? Even so, she kept trying. “I do. And, Hunter? Please try to stay away from Susan.”

There was a slight hesitation on the other end. “It’s been three months, Becca. I’m doing my best, I swear.”

That was all Rebecca could ask for. They said their goodbyes and Rebecca put her phone away just as a cup of tea was set in front of her.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Problems?” Rebecca’s companion took a seat next to her and sipped from her own tea.

“My weekly guilt-trip from a friend back in LA. She wonders why I’m here and when I’m coming home.”

“Hmm. Not that I don’t enjoy your company, but why are you here?”

Rebecca cautiously took a drink of her tea. “If I recall, Eve, you asked for my help.”

Eve Sumptor-Riley was one of those women you either love or hate. Rebecca found herself on the side of the former when, after a consulting job a few years ago, they formed a working relationship. Over time, that turned into a lasting friendship. Yes, their analytical minds caused occasional head-butting, but all-in-all, the two women got along beautifully. So, when Eve called her to help out with a new art gallery she was opening in LA, Rebecca didn’t hesitate to say yes.

It was the reason she had left Cassidy the first time. Rebecca flew to New York to meet with Eve and ultimately agreed to assist her with a business plan and vet new employees. With Eve being a savvy businesswoman herself, Rebecca reveled in the challenge. While she did most of the heavy lifting on the business end, Eve and her associate Lainey were able to focus on the talent that would fill the gallery.

“I did,” Eve acknowledged with a smile. “However, when you came here that first time weeks ago, we had determined that you being in LA near the gallery would be more beneficial.”

“I can do the job from anywhere.” Rebecca pushed a file towards Eve as evidence. “I found your curator, didn’t I?”

Eve chuckled. “Lauren sounds perfect and I can’t wait to meet her. But, that doesn’t answer my question. I know you, Rebecca. You haven’t been yourself since you’ve been here.”

Rebecca breathed in the crisp New York air. They sat at a small café near Sumptor Gallery, NY, in a rare quiet moment. Though Eve was inundated with opening a new gallery, running multiple businesses, and even her own personal turmoil, she remained perceptive of everything going on around her. If Rebecca thought she could get anything past the astute woman, she was severely mistaken.

“I made a mistake, Eve.”

Eve leaned forward, giving Rebecca her full attention. The absolute beauty and power that radiated from the woman never ceased to amaze Rebecca. Or catch her off-guard at the oddest of moments. The one thing that kept Rebecca from ever being attracted to Eve was the fact that everyone thought they were sisters. Well, that and Eve was completely in love with someone else.

“I’m listening.”

Rebecca took a breath, letting it out slowly. It was a pathetic stall for time, but it allowed her to find the words.

“I met someone. She walked into my club, and no matter how hard I tried to resist her,” she paused, thinking of how her body seemed to act of its own accord when it came to Cassidy. “I gave her a card. An invitation to my room.”

Eve’s eyebrows raised slightly. “I thought you had given that up.”

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