As the sun set, it became clear that the intellectual connection, the emotional resonance between them was growing into something more primal, and the glances they stole at each other became darker, more obvious. Instead of lightly, playfully entwining their fingers, they stood side-by-side almost in an embrace, each with her arm slung lowly across the other's hips.
They looked down at the portrait of them, both smiling, shaking their heads just slightly. If there were a title to this watercolor, Delphine thought, simply, it would be 'happiness', a much-too fleeting thing. Cosima was trying to wrap her mind's tongue around the words "coupe de foudre", because she had felt it too.
All too abruptly, Delphine's voice cut through their little reverie. "Cosima, I believe the last train departs toward Paris in an hour," it was a statement, but her tone was a question, turning hear head to look at the compact woman next to her. "I should head back to Jaume 1 and take the metro." She was usually more direct than this, not layering questions under some thinly veiled ruse, but she wanted to know what the brunette was thinking, was unsure how to ask.
"Ohhhh. Um, can't you stay?" Her tone and her eyes were pleading, but she was smiling at Delphine all the same. "I didn't book anywhere yet, but I know we could find a hostel or hotel around here. Like, just a place to crash, you know? Get you on the first train out tomorrow?" It was her voice lilting up in question now. "There's so much to explore. Plus, I still haven't had any Spanish wine tonight or heard any Spanish guitar …"
Delphine was sure her face betrayed how immediately her uncertainty dissolved at Cosima's words, urging her to stay, she wasn't as shy anymore at letting it show.
"Well, I did promise," she said, tone teasing. "Let me … let me call Thomas, see where he is, maybe we can meet up with him," unspoken, she thought, see if we can crash at his empty loft… She pulled away from Cosima, who watched as she walked back down the square, her phone at her ear. The light was fading fast, the dark blues of twilight overcoming the orange-pink of sunset, suffusing the entire square with a haze, giving the impression that this was all only a dream.
As she rejoined the brunette, she said, "Okay, we are all set for dinner, my favorite restaurant, which also happens to be Adrian's place, Thomas' partner. He is going to try to come by later. We are still early for dinner. But Thomas recommends a place for you, for drinks. Should we go?"
"Yeah, yeah, definitely, like totally," hands thrown up in exclamation, grinning. "I'm so glad you're staying. I was just trying to work out in my head if I could make it to Paris tonight and back before my flight tomorrow." She paused, a bemused expression crossing her features. "Wait, he recommended a place for me? What did you say to him?" She was curious, delighted.
"Non, nothing … bad. I just described you, and asked for a recommendation. I think you will … what is the expression … get a punch … out of it. It is not far."
"A punch? You mean a kick? I'm excited to test your theory."
It really wasn't far, just a few blocks from the square, but they took their time getting there, Cosima still struck by the contrast of old cream stone covered with beautiful street art. Both women were lost in the evening, the improbable nature of their meeting, thoughts of tomorrow pushed aside for now.
Delphine brought them down a brightly lit alley, arches at either end, then came to a stop in front of a store front, fingers spreading out to present their destination.
Her eyebrows darted up, exaggerated, "a shiiiisha lounge!? You are kidding me right now."
""Well, they are open early, they have wine, and, um, I think cannabis may be a bit too much crime for me right now, but we can do hookah?"
"Yes, please. Omigod, this is perfect Delphine. Remind me to thank Thomas …"
She looked around the space as they went in, again all aged, cream stone, a long bar sparsely populated downstairs, with an arrow pointing to the upstairs lounge for hookah. Upstairs, papasan chairs dotted the interior, low tables between most.
"God, this is turning out to be the best night I've had in years and years. I think Barcelona might be my favorite city."
"Mmmm, ma cherie, you haven't seen Paris with me." Delphine said, tone all of a sudden sultry, but teasing, as she leaned in to playfully trace the other girl's jaw.
"Is that a … challenge?"
"Maybe."
As they nestled into the plush chairs, the waiter came by with a drink menu, and Delphine quickly sized up the list, asked red or white, "Oh red, red, of course," Delphine picked a bottle immediately, gesturing to the waiter.
"So, your cousin lives here, but you don't speak Spanish?"
"Don't you live in a state in America where at least 25% of the population speaks Spanish, and you do not?"
"Oh, hoh hoh, sharp edges there Frenchie. But you're totally right," chuckling, recognizing the blonde's barb as playful.
"Well, they didn't move here until I was at University, I only visited a bit, and then, well, I didn't need to know too much Spanish. I can understand a lot, but I cannot speak it." Pinching the other woman's forearm, "How many languages do you speak, mmm?"
"Oh, well, just English and German, actually, and like really awful Spanish. I already admitted to being an idiot American."
"C'est vrai," Delphine laughed.
The wine came – aged Tempranillo – along with a shisha menu.
"I picked the wine, but I believe picking the flavor is for you, Cosima?"
"Mmmmm, yes, let's see." She was slightly bouncing again as she reviewed the options. "Well, hm, "special mix" is always intriguing, but I think we should start with something basic, lemon mint or watermelon?"
"Oooooh, watermelon, oui?" The blonde answered. "It will complement the wine."
"Oui." Cosima said, that grin was back, tongue flashing behind teeth. Delphine adored her trying to speak French and made a mental note to thank her cousin.
As the wine was delivered, a contented sigh escaped Cosima's lips as she sipped and smiled at the blonde next to her. The hookah arrived shortly after, charcoals placed delicately over the foil, they both eased back into the plush chairs. It had already been a long, hot day, this the perfect way to relax, unfurl.
They sat for a while, trading the pipe back and forth, commenting on the other guests, sparse still so early in the evening. Then the dreadlocked woman got a curious, mischievous look on her face, floating several smoke rings toward the blonde, eyebrow quirked up.
"You are such a brat," Delphine laughed. "You are reminding me of that … uh, chenille … I don't know the word in English … in Alice in Wonderland that always has a dopey smile and blows smoke rings."
"Ohmigod, um, a caterpillar? Yeah, thanks. Geek monkey then baked caterpillar. I must be making quite the impression." She quirked a brow at Delphine, a cocky smirk on her lips. "How is this affecting my attempts to woo you?"
"Woo me? You are wooing me?" The way the words trilled off Delphine's tongue in her accent sent a thrill through Cosima. "I thought I was the one wooing you - truffles, and watercolors, and finding you wine." Delphine could feel herself warmed by the wine and the smoke, losing her inhibitions by the hour.
"Yeah, totally, that sounds about right, and now hookah, you're definitely getting an A+." They shared a conspiratorial smile, picked up the pipe again.
Cosima watched Delphine's lips pucker a bit as she let out a long, slow exhale of smoke, looking at the brunette side-eyed, aware of being watched.
They went on like that for a while, flirting and joking. Cosima remarked on the beauty of the Old Town, her surprise at the graffiti, Delphine talked of nothing in particular, museums she had visited in the area, cathedrals to visit, things Cosima should see if she should return.
Something Cosima said turned Delphine's gaze again, an unanswered question coming to her mind.
"You never did say, Cosima, how did you get involved with this group … the one that got you involved in photography?"
Cosima looked at her sideways, measuring her, unsure if she should reveal anything more. "Um, well, it's really not a pleasant story." The mirth that had been so clearly evident in her eyes, the upturned quirk of her lips, turned to concern, then to fear.
Delphine reached across, placed her hand on Cosima's, "You do not have to say, if you don't want. But I would like to know anything you would share."
"Well," she began with a sigh, hoping the evidence of baggage from her past didn't undermine the blissful fun of the evening. "I mentioned Felix and Sarah before, yeah? Well, they are my brother and sister, for sure, in every way that matters, but we're not related. I was taken in by their family after my parents died … right before I started high school," she slightly trembled at the memory, but moved on quickly. "Before I got placed with them though I had a couple bad foster situations, and just ended up sorta on the streets." Waving her hand as if dismissing it, "just really briefly, you know." Looking up from her tentative, cautious rambling she checked Delphine's expression, seeing an earnest gaze, full of care and encouragement, but not pity. "Anyway, that's what drew me to that group I worked with. I wanted other kids to know there's a safe place to go."
Delphine could tell there was much more to this story, but the brunette clearly didn't want to linger on the topic, seemed to be begging her with her gaze to move on.
"I'm sorry, ma cherie. I'm glad you found family that loves you." She stretched the fingers of her hand, still resting on Cosima's, and softly entwining their fingers, then bringing them to her lips, placing a firm kiss to Cosima's palm, "you have such a kind heart, Cosima."
"Well, anyway, that wasn't really the point of this trip, you know? I honestly have been feeling pretty down about this little photography experiment of mine, I haven't really found any answers." Her expression shifted, smiling brightly up at the blonde, "But then I met you."
