Here’s another short scene from The Rules of Forever that ended up on the cutting room floor. Cara and Lauren have just arrived at the gala where they’re hoping to find Lauren’s aunt Genevra. Before they begin their search, Lauren encounters an old classmate from college.
“This place is gorgeous.” Lauren’s eyes sparkled in the low light. She snagged two flutes of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter and handed one to Cara. “Cheers. Thanks for being here.”
Cara raised her glass. “I wouldn’t have missed it. Here’s to us.” Lauren’s happy gaze slid from Cara’s face to something behind her, her expression suddenly less happy. “What is it? Your Aunt?” Cara swung around to see a young couple bearing down on them. The man, smiling widely, was pulling his date/partner/wife behind him.
“A former classmate from undergrad,” Lauren murmured. “A competitive asshole who always seemed to take anyone else’s academic achievement as a personal threat.”
“I know the type.” Cara steeled herself for their arrival.
For the first time in a long time, Cara saw Lauren’s game face. The last time she’d seen it was back in high school, during field hockey practice scrimmages, when Lauren had easily penetrated her flimsy defense. Then that steely determination slipped away and an easy, friendly expression replaced it. “Hello, Paxton. It’s been a while.”
“Lauren! I didn’t know you were back in the States.” Paxton bestowed on her the breezy air kisses of a real housewife and pushed his companion forward. “This is my fiancée, Kelsey, do you remember her? She was a few years behind us.”
“I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure,” Lauren said. “This is my friend, Cara.”
“Cara, Cara,” Paxton put a finger to his lip, miming deep thought. “Didn’t we meet at the Goldman Sachs mixer last month? Kelsey is in the management training program there.”
“Oh no, Paxton, that wasn’t me. I’d rather burn in hell for all eternity than work at an investment bank.” Cara smiled sweetly. “No offense, Kelsey.”
“None taken. I’m about a month away from agreeing with you.” Kelsey’s drawl was drier than the Sahara. She downed the rest of her champagne and wandered off in search of another drink.
Cara watched her walk away, surprised and a little delighted. She saw Paxton shoot a frustrated look at her departing back. “What do you do, Paxton?” She was happy to take the lead in this social interaction; Paxton reminded her of the arrogant mansplainers who monopolized class discussions in college, and he was just the sort of bloated pompous ass she would take pleasure in deflating.
“I’m pursuing my doctorate at NYU. Art History, just like Lauren, right, Lauren?” Paxton’s smug grin annoyed Cara. “But I thought you were studying in the UK. What happened? Did you transfer somewhere else to finish? Or have you changed your area of interest?”
Cara put her hand on Lauren’s arm before she could answer. “Another expert in art history? That’s wonderful, Paxton. What is your area of study?”
“Well, my thesis will be on Damien Hirst and other modern artists and the impact of outsourcing on the global art market.” His self-importance was laughable.
“Outsourcing, as in, getting somebody else to make their art?” Cara asked.
“Kind of, it’s a bit esoteric for the general public. I wouldn’t expect you to understand,” Paxton said. “Anyway, I have a few leads on publication for when it’s done. Won’t be long now.”
“How wonderful. When do you think you’ll finish?” Cara asked, faking deep enthusiasm.
“June, most likely,” Paxton’s patronizing smile made her want to kick him in the teeth.
“Did you hear that, Lauren? Paxton is almost finished. Perhaps you could put in a good word for him at the Met. You’ll have been there a year by then.”
Lauren smiled at Cara as she took a sip of champagne. “Perhaps.”
Paxton’s eyes bugged out. “You’re at the Met? You’ve completed your dissertation?”
“Completed, defended, and published,” Cara said stoutly. If she could have added a boom at the end, she would have.
“We work in very different areas of art,” Lauren took pity on him. “I’m not surprised you didn’t hear.”
It looked like it cost him quite a bit to say, “Congratulations, Lauren.”
“Thank you, Paxton. Happy holidays.” Lauren put her arm through Cara’s and pulled her away.
“Bye, Paxton,” Cara added as they walked on. “Good luck with the thesis. And with Kelsey.”
“You’re naughty,” Lauren told her, but her smile was huge. “I could have handled him.”
“I know. I saw your game face. But wasn’t it nice to not have to? To have me do it for you?”
“I’m glad you’re in my corner.”
“And I’m glad we dispatched him so quickly. If we had gotten to what I do for a living, he would have sprained his neck looking down at me.”
“Unfortunately, I think you’re right, but he would be so wrong.”
“Ooh, bacon-wrapped shrimp,” Cara said as a waiter approached. “Want one?” She grabbed two from his tray.
If you haven’t read The Rules of Forever yet, and this has piqued your interest, go here for more details.