Tuesday

Tuesday brought a welcome change to the monotony of the work week. Bette was meeting Alice for their usual lunch, and Shane was in town for a few days so would be joining them. Shane had just opened a salon in London, and was visiting L.A. for a week before she needed to travel to Stockholm to open another. Bette couldn’t be more proud of her – Shane was going from strength to strength and had shown a commitment to her growing business that Bette admired.

Alice and Shane were already seated and talking animatedly when Bette arrived. The venue was more café than restaurant, with exposed brick walls and a vertical garden thriving behind the seating area. It gave the illusion of outdoor dining, with floor to ceiling windows facing out to the busy street. Bette waved with her keys in her hand as she walked over, a smile spreading across her face as Shane stood up to pull her in for a hug. Bette squeezed her friend, and planted a kiss on her cheek.

”You look amazing,” Shane said, doing a head to toe scan of Bette. ”Don’t start welling up again,” laughed Shane, noting that Bette’s eyes were glistening with tears.

”I can’t help it – every time I see you now, this happens,” Bette smiled at Shane as they took their seats, Bette next to Alice and Shane across the table.

”She does it to me too, and we see each other at least once a week,” Alice said in a mock serious tone, raising her eyebrows and shaking her head. ”Hormones, right?”

Bette gave Alice a playful shove and a kiss on the cheek hello.

Their waiter arrived, and was quick to take their orders before bustling back towards the business end of the restaurant.

”Al was just telling me about Nat,” said Shane, leaning back in her seat.

”Things still going well then?” Bette asked, turning her head to Alice. Nat and Alice had been seeing each other for the better part of six months, and Bette could tell this relationship was significant to Alice.

”Super well, actually. We had a bit of a discussion about moving in together, just floating the idea. I don’t think I’m ready to give up my apartment though,” Alice said contemplatively. ”Anyway, how was Angie’s trip? Did she have fun? She sent me some photos,”