(Bettes viewpoint)

I look around the gallery pleased at the number of people who have come to my show. I turn to Catherine Weve had a huge amount of interest in your work. I believe theres talk of using one of your paintings in an advertising campaign She smiles and seems pleased by the comment. You are coming to the dinner afterwards arent you.. youre our guest of honor.

I smile when Catherine tells me she wouldnt miss one of my dinners and I look at Alice. She looks good, white suits her and I like her hair piled up like that. Im glad were still friends. I still feel that special bond with her but I know it will never be anything more. Im looking for something more permanent and Alice is well.. too unsure of herself. ..she doesnt seem to know what shes looking for… I guess its the result of her upbringing.. being part of a family where a single mother has given her children a transitory life as she chases the next big acting role..and the next eligible manits made Alice unsatisfiedalways in search of something more…moving between men and women and from job to job..

Excuse me Bette someone interrupts my thoughts and I turn around to find Eric.. I smile at himwhats his surname? I cant remember – I think hes the one thats interested in Catherines work.

Then I notice this amazing woman by his side… This is my girlfriend, Tina Kennard he says she heads up development at Alphaville. Tina, Bette PorterWow I think.. shes so beautiful..look at that smile.. and that black dress it hugs her figure so seductively. I flick my eyes over her as I greet Ericwonder why Ive never seen her with him before..

Tina..what a simple straightforward name..it suits her.. I turn to her Nice to meet you I say and I put something extra into my smile when I greet her.

Hey. Nice to meet you she says in reply..her voice is soft maybe a hint of the south and whats Eric saying? Blowing up a print.. Catherines oh.. I smile as brightly as possible Well, why don’t you ask yourself? She’s right over there… I direct him to Catherine and catch a glimpse of Tina out the corner of my eye, I smile, shes checking me out.. I pray she stays Id like to get to know her a little better..hows that going to work I think..shes straight..why would she be interested in me..but I feel myself drawn to her anywayI hope what I saw in her eyes was a glimmer of interest ..

Shes got such a beautiful smile and shes so calm and self-assured she makes me feel peaceful and yet I can feel my heart beating faster as I look at her..Im so relieved when she says I think I’ll just stay here. I smile wider.. great I can get to know her..

Im not sure what to say to her..it seems inappropriate to ask how long shes been with Eric so I say something stupid like Ive not seen you here before..and she smiles and complements me on the gallery giving me the opening I need to take her by the arm and show her around..

I feel so possessive of her..Ive never felt like this before..Im jealous of Eric..so I put all my effort into charming her.. Do you know much about art? I ask..hoping shell say no and I can impress her..

Not really, I know what I like she says softly and I thank the god thats answering my prayers tonight and guide her over to a selection of my favourite works What do you see in these? I ask.

She looks at them carefully then laughs and my heart skips a beat..its like I hear her laugh through an echo chamber..so young and innocent.. I cant tell you..I just know I like them.. ..she has a good eye..she just needs some training..so I talk to her about the artists tell her their stories and what inspired them to paint each piece.. she seems interested..puts her head on one side and I can see the paintings reflected in her dark intelligent eyes..I lose my train of thought and she stares at me..waiting patiently for me to continueI clear my throat and suddenly Eric is by her side and guiding her away telling her that she mustnt monopolize my time.. I think quickly.. Uh would you like to come to my artist dinner this evening..its nothing special…

Eric looks flattered and accepts but its Tinas face Im watching and I can see her smile and look at me as if shes relieved well be able to continue our conversation.

As Eric takes Tina away I focus my mind on business or I try to focus it anyway. I tell myself Im here to sell art and to do that I must mingle, must get the artists and potential buyers together, persuade people its worth spending that extra money, invest in someone theyre not yet familiar with. Im usually good at that but tonight I find myself distracted and as I move around the room I catch glimpses of her moving around on Erics arm examining the art or admiring a sculpture. Am I imagining it or are they a little further apart then when they arrived?

I catch her eye once or twice and we smile but I dont approach her again ..Ill wait until tonight and hope I can catch her when Eric has stepped away from her side.

The dinner starts and I mingle with the guests making small talk with the artists and telling myself that Im not really looking for her. I notice everyone seems to be relaxing, having a good time. Ive been told these parties are famous and people vie for invitations but maybe its just talk.

I walk along the table, see Alice and touch her on the shoulder, she smiles up at me. I look up to see who else is seated and my heart skips a beat when I see Tina standing at the end of the table admiring one of my favourite pieces. I try to act relaxed and glide over to her slowly but I feel my pace quicken.

Are you coming to sit down? I say as I approach and I smile at her as her dark eyes turn and meet mine. She gestures to the painting Yeah I just really like this one. I look into her eyes and then I look at the painting shes pointed out and I nod. Yes..she definitely has good taste. I look back at her, my eyes sweep her face and I notice something in her hair.

Oh. Youve lost your earring in your hair, here I reach out a hand smiling because I have a reason to touch her. I untangle the earring from her hair and hold it out to her in the palm of my hand.

Thank you she says quietly as she takes the earring from my hand and I watch her thread it back through her ear. I smile at her and guide her back to the table. Im about to sit down with her when Im interrupted ..some emergency and when I turn back to apologise I see the disappointment in her eyes. By the time I return Eric is once again by her side and I curse the gods for not giving me the chance to get to know her better.

The next day..

I look down at my hand and in it is the earring the cleaner just found and placed in my palm. I know Ive seen it before and I smile secretly to myself. I know whose ear it belongs on and I hope shell come back to claim it. I put the earring in an envelope and lock it in my desk. If she comes to the gallery shell have to ask for me. I dont want anyone else to give it back to her but Ive let them all know I have an earring in safe keeping just incase I am not around when she arrives.

Its late in the day when I see her. Id convinced myself shed left it so she had an excuse to come back and see me but as the day wore on I started thinking maybe she hadnt missed it or maybe she was too afraid to come back for it.

As soon as I see her I wave her into my office and close the door. I move around to the other side of my desk so I can admire her while Im taking the envelope out. Im not sure I want to give her back this earring, its the only connection I have to her and if she takes it Im afraid it will all be over.

I approach her slowlyIve dreamt of this momentI want to kiss her to see if her lips are as soft as her voice..to find out whether shes as sensual as her movements suggest.

I can see shes apprehensive and I hold out her earring in the palm of my hand thinking Ill just let her take it I couldve sworn I saw you put this on I say but as she reaches for it I cant help myself.. I close my hand around hers and lean in. I kiss her gently..she doesnt pull away and when I feel her responding I pull back to look at her. Shes smiling at me and blushing and I feel pleasedshe laughs.. embarrassed and I know Ive gotten to her.

I..Ive got to go she says ..Im desperate for a plan but nothing enters my head.. I pull her gently into my arms and kiss her again and this time I feel her responding more urgently.. I pull back and look into her eyes..she seems dazed, like shes in a dream..I know I could take advantage of her but I dont want to do that..thats not my plan. Ive surprised myself..I have a plan? I realise I do Come back tomorrow..let me teach you about art I say. I hand her a card, put my private number on the back..shes nodding then shaking her head.. I can see shes fighting some inner battle..I kiss her gently again then let her go..

I need to tread carefully ..I already know I want something with her thats more permanent

Bettes eyes flickered open and she smiled as she remembered her dream. She looked at Tina; they had something more permanent, now she just had to work on keeping it. She moved closer, put her arm over Tinas hip and went back to sleep.

TBC