Ashley eyed her reflection for no other reason than out of complete and utter boredom. In fact, for the past eighteen minutes, she sat at her desk making faces of the most ridiculous sort amusing herself far more than she'd care to admit. In the midst of making a particularly goofy face, widening her eyes and puffing her cheeks like a blowfish, she lightly chided herself. With a glance at her cell phone and a shake of her head, she sighed deeply. It was only 5:43pm a little more than an hour since Chelsea had invited her to dinner and about an hour before she was due to be there.

She could, of course, go through the boxes she'd been putting off unpacking…again. But, ever the procrastinator, decided that an hour wasn't enough time for much of anything she'd do it tomorrow.

She groaned for the umpteenth time that night before suddenly making a decision. Checking her reflection once again, she grabbed her keys before heading out the door.

"Oh, hey Ashley! You're early," Chelsea smiled, surprised.

"Yeah," the brunette smiled sheepishly, "I hope you don't mind. I was kind of bored." She raised her hand, gripping a bottle of red wine. "Figured I'd bring something."

"Thanks! And it's fine," she offered. "Come on in, make yourself at home. Hope you like parmesan chicken?"

"Mmm," Ashley smiled, "love it."

"Great! It'll be done soon."

Ashley looked around, stepping across the threshold as she followed Chelsea into the house. She noticed it was slightly larger than her own home, comfortable and inviting.

"Spencer's out back with Bear," Chelsea mentioned as she made her way into the hallway towards the kitchen. Ashley followed her, placing the wine bottle on the kitchen counter.

"Bear?" she asked, interested, slipping her hands into her back pockets as she leaned against the door frame.

"Mhm, her guide dog."

Guide dog?

As if by some act of higher-power demonstration, Ashley heard a door open followed by the clinking of a dog tag against its collar. Footsteps followed close behind until a blonde-haired woman and a two-and-half-foot tall dog emerged from a hallway leading from the back of the house.

"Mmm, Chels dinner smells delicious. As always," she added, smiling.

"Girl, you know your dad taught me well. Worked for the man all through high school." Chelsea thought for a second. "Don't tell my parents that, though. They think they taught me all they know."

Spencer chuckled lightheartedly. "I'll take your secret to my grave."

Ashley watched the light banter, feeling slightly out of place. "My bad Ashley," Chelsea said , noticing the brunette's slight uneasiness. "Spencer, our guest came early." Chelsea walked up to her friend, placing a hand gently on the small of her back as she guided her body to face Ashley's. "Spencer, meet Ashley Davies. Ashley, meet Spencer Carlin."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ashley Davies," Spencer smiled, face turned slightly away from the brunette's as she put her hand out in greeting.

"Likewise, Spencer Carlin." Ashley took her hand, watching as Spencer's head shifted towards her voice. Ashley couldn't help but take in the view Spencer was beautiful. Gorgeous. Hair, a golden blond. Body, a petite frame in a slightly athletic way but not overly so. Her smile, with its gentle playful nature, inviting. But what struck Ashley most was her eyes. A vacant sapphire slightly clouded, but not without its light. It seemed distant, but near. Knowing. And it confirmed her thoughts Spencer was, indeed, blind. But Ashley was so entranced that she failed to hear Spencer's question. The blonde chuckled.

"You seem to have caught on," Spencer said smugly.

"I'm sorry," Ashley spoke, confused. "Caught on?"

"Mhm. To my, as some call it, blindness."

"What?" the brunette questioned, genuinely surprised. "What makes you say that?"

"Well, mostly your inability to hold up your end of the conversation," Spencer said, smirking. "But also because you're still holding my hand." Ashley let go immediately, opening her mouth to speak, but was quickly cut off. "It's okay, Ashley. I'm just giving you a hard time."

"I'm sorry," Ashley said, cheeks hinged with pink. "I don't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."

"No worries," she responded, smiling at her. Playful.

Chelsea looked at the two, amused. "Well, why don't you two go sit down while I finish up dinner. Should be a few more minutes."

The two complied, Spencer leading the way into the living room. Ashley was immediately amazed by how well she knew the area, noticed as she turned corners almost mechanically, but still with an air of effortlessness. Bear followed alongside her, tail wagging.

They sat in the living room, Ashley on the sofa perpendicular to Spencer's recliner. It was silent for a few minutes, somewhere between comfortable and a bit awkward.

"You seem…nervous?" Spencer said, subconsciously petting Bear's head with her right hand.

"Are you asking me or making an observation?"

"What do you think?"

"I'm not nervous…" Ashley spoke, unconvincingly.

Spencer faced towards the sound of her voice, lips turning up in amusement. "You sound unsure."

"I don't do you always do that?"

"Do what?" Spencer said, innocently.

"That it's like you're challenging me."

Spencer smiled. "Not at all, just curious."

"No, I'm not nervous," Ashley spoke firmly.

"Most people are when they first meet me."

The brunette hesitated as she took in Spencer's words. They were said with confidence, perhaps even with an air of nonchalance. But Ashley heard the hurt in Spencer's voice, hidden behind her whispered challenges.

"You're not the least bit intimidating," she said honestly.

"I think a disability automatically deems a person intimidating."

"Well," Ashley smirked, "I'm not most people, Spencer."

"No," she admitted, holding back a smile. "I don't think you are."

They shared a moment, both unsure of its true implications, but felt its weight. Ashley gazed at her freely. She'd seen beautiful women before, dated them even. But Spencer Carlin was different, that she could tell.

Spencer felt Ashley's eyes raking over her, she smiled internally deciding against saying anything. The feeling was nice.