Its not a good sign to be pacing the room up and down Bette thought.

Why the ***** am I so nervous? She asked herself, stopping at the windows frame, looking to the parking lot. Its just another magazine, just another photo session. Shaking her head, she corrected herself. Its not just another photo session, this one needs to be perfect. Damn Alice. Why did she have to say anything about the article?. I just hope this photographer is as good as Alice says, Bette thought, moving away from the window, hearing James calling her name.

James, always the perfect assistant, mocked at Bette, trying to warn her. Dont make a scene now!! His eyes were saying.

Yes? Almost yelled Bette, walking out to the hall, looking at him.

Bette, the photographer is here he whispered, nodding to the end of the hall were Bette saw a woman observing one of the paintings.

Is that her? whispered Bette, her eyebrow touching the ceiling.

Yeah James answered, leading Bette towards Tina.

Hearing the steps at her back, the light heels playing on the floor, Tina turned around.

Miss Kennard, this is Bette Porter said James, noticing the blank look on Bettes face.

Nice to meet you politely said Tina, extending her hand to Bette.

It took Bette a couple of extra seconds to come back to reality.

Right, nice to meet you too Mss Kennard answered Bette, the formality of her words hanging in the air.

Noticing the not only strange but awkward silence, James added,

Bette, Ill hold your calls, where do you want to do this?

What? Bette asked, unable to move her eyes from Tinas.

I think it could be interesting to try taking a few ones around here, if thats ok with you said Tina, placing her bag on the floor, easily taking the camera out.

Yes, sure nodded Bette, shaking her head, wondering why was she acting like a teenager.

James seeing that he was no longer needed quietly left the two women alone.

Where do you want me to stand? asked Bette, looking around, noticing a couple admiring the paintings.

We will close in just ten minutes so if you want we could wait for them to leave she added, watching Tina lost in preparing the camera, totally ignoring her.

No, its ok Tina said, her word raising with her head as she stood up, looking Bette in the eyes.

So? Asked Bette, a bit harsher than she wanted to.

So what? Tina shot back, her tone sweet, not acknowledging Bettes tone. She was waiting for Bettes answer already looking through the lenses, making Bette nervous.

Where do you want me to stand? What do you want me to do? Bette asked again, looking around, feeling Tinas stare on every one of her pores.

Tell me Bette..( Tina said, moving her head from behind the camera), Can I call you Bette? she mischievously added, smiling.

Please nodded Bette, unaware of the smile drawn on her face.

Nodding from behind the camera, Tina softly whispered,

Bette, do you paint?

what? Bette asked, confused by Tinas question.

Do you paint? Ive noticed some paint on your hands and I assumed you do, do you?

No, not reallythis is (looking down at her hands, noticing the paint for the first time) we just received some new paintings this morningand James, my assistant (Bette added, pointing to Jamess table at the other end of the hall) his nephew came for a visittoday is schools dayso we usually have many kids visitingthey like to sit on the floor and drawI

Noticing Tinas camera, how she was taking pictures while she was walking around, talking with her, explaining the kids visit; brought Bette back to reality.

So you helped him? Tina asked, leaning down the camera.

Not really (Bette said, smiling) being precise he insisted on teaching me so I had to prove him how bad I am with a brush in my hand.

Bette, unaware of Tinas camera, was talking searching for another smile, for another look from Tinas eyes. She was lost in Tinas indifference, in how she was working on her craft, in how sweet she was in that subtly way that was breaking Bettes heart tall walls.

Bette, you mind if we go to the back garden?, the light is beautiful now, we could get a good shots close to the Botero sculptures Tina said.

Sure Bette mumbled, silly smiling at Tina who was already kneeling down to her bag.

Just as Tina was standing up, Bette noticed someone walking towards them.

Excuse me, Bette?

Hearing the words Bette turned around, facing Candance.

Yes? Bette whispered, feeling the blush growing on her face.

Could you excuse me for a second, Tina? Bette quickly said, turning to Tina briefly.

Of course Tina answered, checking her camera.

Leading Candance away from Tina, Bette whispered,

Yes?, You need anything?

No, I was just leaving was wondering if you might want to go out tonight sexily whispered Candance, lightly caressing Bettes arm.

Eh… no, am sorryI have other plans already answered Bette, subtly moving away from her, straightening her suit.

Oh, ok mumbled a very surprised Candance.

Noticing the blush on Bettes face, moving closer again, the brunette whispered,

Are you ok, Bette?

Yes Candance, Im fineis just that am busy tonightIll call you ok Bette said, waving her hand, already walking back to Tina.

Oksee you then mumbled Candance, turning around.

Walking towards Tina, Bette notice how the blonde was easily writing something down on a small notebook, leaning on her arm.

Shall we? Bette whispered, stopping at Tinas side.

Yep Tina smiled, closing the notebook, looking up at Bette.

Tina followed Bettes steps through the museum. Thanking the quiet place, noticing the beautiful light coming through the glassed walls.

Opening a big glass door, Bette asked.

So, where do you want me?

Walking outside, Tina looked around, and pointing Boteros sleeping beauty, she said, smiling,

Maybe we could start over there, close to the English Holly

The what? asked Bette looking around, following Tinas steps towards the sculpture.

These (Tina said, taking the always decorative bright plant in her hands) are English Holly Tina said, moving then to place her bag at the other end of the patio.

Oh ok Shyly smiled Bette, noticing the plant for the first time.

So Bette, tell mewhat are these pictures for? asked Tina from behind her camera again, back at Bettes side.

We opened a very controversial show almost a month ago Bette started, walking around Boteros beauty.

Provocations interrupted Tina, shooting pictures.

Righthave you seen it? Asked Bette, intrigued.

No, sorry answered Tina, coming from behind the lenses for a second.

Oh okwellwill closed it last weekits been a success but the board wants to clean our image by doing some publicity finished Bette, rolling her eyes, putting a smile on Tinas face as she was showing how little faith she had on the boards idea.

PR, eh? Asked Tina again, loving how the sunset light was caressing Bettes beautiful features against Boteros beauty.

Exactly Bette giggle, glowing in Tinas lenses.

Ok Tina said, hanging the camera on her shoulder.

I think we are done she finished, smiling broadly.

You sure? Bette asked, confused, checking the time.

Yeah Tina nodded, chuckling.

Ok Bette added, disappointed, not sure why.

Believe me Bette, I got exactly what they are looking for Tina added, kneeling down, putting her camera back in the bag.

Watching Tina, noticing her long firm arms, the beautiful hands, her light blonde hair glowing under the sun tired rays, Bette felt a knot in the stomach. Gulping, she heard herself saying.

Seems we have finish sooner than I thought, would you like to have a coffee with me?

Noticing Tinas look, how while standing up Tina was checking her out, Bette wondered about the words she just voiced, not knowing where they came from.

Am sorry Bette, but (checking the hour) I have to go to the airport, I dont think I have time Tina said, shaking her head.

Oh, ok nodded Bette.

Just then, as they were starting to walk inside, Tinas cell vibrated.

Yes? She answered.

Heyyeahvery funny noyou already here? I was on my way to the airportrightyeah, there is no pointokIll see you at homeyeah right (she chuckled, making Bette to look at her)okIll buy some drinksyeahsee you in a bit Tina finished, hanging up.

Following Bette inside, Tina said,

Im sorry. I have to go, but thank you

Nodding, Bette added,

When do you think Id see the pictures?

I was going to have them by the end of next week if thats ok Tina nonchalantly said, looking at the paintings hanging on the walls.

Yes, thats fine Bette answered, ducking her hand in her pockets.

Let me give you my card, Id love to see them as soon as you have them she added, a bit too anxious she noticed.

Ok Tina nodded, subtly studying Bette.

Opening her officees door, Bette said, turning around,

Come on in please

Nodding, Tina walked in noticing the minute she entered Bettes domains the neatness, tidiness, and elegance of the room.

Nice room she said, forcing herself to hide the grin that was growing on her face at the notion of the lack of warmness in the room.

Thank you nonchalantly answered Bette, taking a card from her desk.

Here, call me when you have themplease she added, holding the card a few seconds longer, before handing it to Tina.

I will Tina said, smiling.

Thank you, it was fun Bette added, getting lost in Tinas eyes again.

Yeah Tina said, chuckling.

You say it like you were expecting a torture she added, teasing Bette.

Yeah, something like thatI dont like photo sessions that much Bette said, feeling Tinas warm smile melting her insides.

Am glad I didnt know that Tina said, turning towards the door.

Why? Asked Bette, curious.

Stopping at the doors frame, Tina said, turning to face Bette,

Because when the one Im taking pictures of dont like it Im usually tense and play the professional and is much more difficult to get good pictures Tina said, giving Bette another shy smile.

Thats why I dont do portraits anymore she added, walking out.

You dont? asked Bette, following Tina towards the entrance.

Not for assignmentsI just do them for fun now

Nodding, Bette speeded to Tinas side.

It was fun, I had a good timethank you

Ill call you Tina nodded, extending her hand for Bette to shake it.

Ok, thank you Bette said, shaking Tinas hand for a bit longer than what was expected.

Smiling, Tina walked out, leaving Bette with a warm feeling running through her body. Watching Tina walking towards her car, Bette felt her cell vibrating. Taking it, reading the caller Id, she smiled,

Yes?

Dont yes mehow is she? asked Alice, cutting to the point.

No hi, how are you, how was your day? Al? teased Bette, her eyes glued to Tinas body, still walking on the parking lot.

Bette, leave the pleasantries to you conqueststell meis she good? Alice demanded.

Who? Bette asked, smiling, loving the tease.

Her, the photographer? Alice added, sighing.

Yeah, I think she is answered Bette, not feeling the big smile on her face.

Cool, that will save your ***** on that article answered Alice.

So will see you tomorrow then?….you still seeing the museum chick tonight right? she added, not really asking.

No, I am notshe wasnt freeYou wanna go out for a drink? Bette asked, walking back to her office.