Her pupils dilated for a second, Id caught her off guard. She was surprised at the question Id asked her. She didnt answer me instead she sat there shaking her head smirking at me. *****. She was going to make me sweat.

Well if she wanted to play hard to get that was fine by me. I could easily play her at her own game. She was playing with the big boys now.

There was no way on earth I was going to let her think I was jealous, so up went the inscrutable rock star Barriers.

Its okay Bette Im not prying, I just wondered if someone would be joining us. I assured her almost flippantly. Then I changed the subject completely, not waiting for her to reply to the question.

So what kind of business is Bette Porter in these days? I asked inquisitively.

I opened my own gallery about a year ago. She says almost too proudly, that was one of her worse traits. She always was so self, indulgent.

You always said that was your dream. Im happy for you Bette. I said. And I meant it.

She placed her hand on top of mine, which I had rested on the table.

Looks like we both got what we wished for. She smiled sincerely.

Yeah it does. I replied softly. I avoided looking at her Instead I removed my hand from under hers and ran my finger along the rim of my now empty glass. I stood up and asked her if she wanted another drink, even though shed hardly touched the one shed got.

She looked at me incredulously, and shook her head.

What? I laughed petulantly.

Dont you think your drinking a bit too much T? Her voice was full of concern and she had a sad look in her eyes, pitiful even. ***** she thought I was some sad drunken alcoholic? I was a rock star for ***** sake it went with the territory.

I arched my eyebrows and glared at her.
I didnt even dignify her with an answer. I just turned my back to her and walked over to the bar. I was beginning to think the whole thing was a bad idea, maybe we had been apart too long, maybe we, were two different people now, two different people who no longer knew each other. Strangers.