“Beautiful, honestly.”  Lilly’s eyes dropped and studied her hands that fidgeted in her lap.

“I was sitting there watching you, as creepy as that sounds, and I kept trying to figure out what could make someone so gorgeous look so stunned.  If you just want to be left alone, I’ll go, but I wanted to make sure you’re all right” her voice shook slightly and Helena could tell that she was  horribly unsure about what she was doing.

“I don’t know about the beautiful part, but the stunned part I can explain.  I was recently disinherited by my mother and I have realized that I have no real job skills and no idea what to do next.  I’m living on a friend’s couch at the moment. 

I know it sounds petty, but it was all so sudden.”  Helena tried to explain.

Lilly finally looked back up from her hands and seemed to contemplate what Helena had said.

“Well, it can be hard on anyone when their whole life changes in a snap.  It’s understandable that you’re at a loss.  All I know is that eventually, things always seem to work out the way they’re supposed to.

This is out of the blue, but would it make you feel better to have dinner with me tonight?”

Helena was surprised by the sudden invitation, but she smiled at the gesture.

“It would, but I’m rather short on funds” she answered honestly.

“My treat.  I’m celebrating tonight anyway.  I just got a new addition to my collection” Lilly replied, obviously not wanting to take no for an answer.

“All right then, yes, I would very much enjoy having dinner with you tonight.  Might I ask what kind of collection you have?” Helena asked, wondering if she’d found another art collector.

“Well, it’s more of a work collection, honestly.  I work as a supervisor at a lab that collects venom from snakes to be processed into anti-venom.  We handle native and exotic species and we just got a new Gaboon viper in yesterday.” Lilly answered.

Helena expected literally any other response and her surprise must have shown on her face.

“I know it’s strange.  Not many people know how to respond when I tell them what I do, but I love my job.  If it’s too weird for you, I understand” Lilly said, obviously having given this speech before.

Helena took the other woman’s hand and said, “It’s not that it bothers me; I’m just a bit surprised.  It’s not the answer I was expecting”

“It never is” Lilly said with a smile that lit up her whole face.

“So, what time are you picking me up, then?” Helena asked.