Tina hurriedly made her way towards the front door of the restaurant. Her mind was racing and before she realized what was happening, so was her body. Tina’s heel took a slip on the pavement, causing her to lose her balance. Tina let out a small cry as she felt herself falling and braced herself for the impact

Bette: “Are you okay?”

Tina had never felt so safe in a stranger’s arms. She looked up and found herself gazing into the most beautiful chocolate brown eyes she had ever seen. Unable to speak, Tina just nodded her head yes.

Bette: (realizing her arms were still wrapped around this woman longer than needed, felt her face begin to flush) “You’re sureit’s safe for me to let you go?”

Tina was caught off guard and again only managed another nod of her head.

‘What is going on with me?’ Tina wondered. ‘It’s nothingI’m nervous about this meetingI’ve fallen”

Tina had no idea exactly what she had just fallen for

Bette gently removed her protective grasp from the woman, not realizing she continued to have a “hold” on Tinawho couldn’t break her gaze from Bette’s chocolate brown eyes.

Bette couldn’t help but maintain eye contact as well, as many thoughts raced through her mind. ‘What is going on with you, Porter? First you fall for some mystery woman’s voice over the phoneand now, you’re entranced by this woman’s eyes?’

Tina: (embarrassed and composing herself as best she could) “Thank you”

Bette: (smiling at Tina’s blushing cheeks) “Ohit was nothing”

Tina: (mesmerized by Bette’s smile) “You have wonderful reflexes, by the wayit was lucky for me that you were in the right place at the right moment.”

Bette’s eyes widened as she thinks she recognizes ‘the voice.’

‘Oh my god! Is this the woman I’m supposed to meet?’

Bette: (trying to keep her breathing steady) “Maybe it was fate.”

Tina: (only half listening to Bette because she is still so embarrassed about tripping) “I feel like such a klutz. I was rushing because I am meeting a client for dinner. My boss was supposed to take this meeting but he cancelled at the last minute, so here I am… this strange woman falling in to your arms.”

Bette: (listening to Tina’s voice more than her words trying to figure out if it truly is ‘the voice’) “So I take you were actually trying to make it inside the restaurant.”

Tina: (laughing but checking her watch) “Well, that was my intention. I was supposed to be meeting my client and I hate being late. First impressions are lasting ones.”

Bette: (unable to take her eyes of this woman) “Yes, they certainly are.” (opening the door and holding it, indicating to Tina that she should go in first) “Well then, we better get you inside safely so you can meet your client. And should you feel the need to test my reflexes again…you know I will be nearby.”

Tina: (forcing herself to break eye contact with the woman to briefly look around the restaurant for her client) “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Papa’s Little Italy has a new hostess working: “Good evening, ladies. Table for two?”

Tina: (embarrassed) “Ohnowe’re not here together.”

Hostess: “I’m sorry. Do you have a reservation?”

Tina: “Yes. It’s under Kennard for 6:30.”

Hostess: (looking at a seating chart) “Yeshere it is.”

Tina: “I’m supposed to be meeting Ms Alicia TurnerCan you please bring her to my table when she arrives?”

Hostess: “I will escort her to your table upon her arrival, Miss Kennard. Please follow me”

Tina: (turns to Bette and extends her hand) “I’m Tina, also known as the damsel in distress you saved.”

Bette: (gently takes hold of Tina’s hand and shakes it) “My name is Bette. It was my pleasure, Tina. It’s not everyday a beautiful woman falls into my arms.”

Tina: (slightly embarrassed at the compliment and feeling a slight jolt with her hand in Bette’s) “wellthank you again, Bette.”

Tina smiles at Bette before she leaves to follow the hostess to her table. As she is walking, she is wondering what just transpired between her and the beautiful woman who caught her. Bette watches as Tina walks to the far end of the restaurant, towards her table.

Bette is in deep thought, trying to recall this evening’s conversation with Tina. ‘I am positive that’s her.’

Just then, the restaurant’s manager approaches with a smile.

Antonio: “Ah, Miss Porter! Welcome back to Papa’s Little Italy.”

Bette: (smiling) “Good evening, Antonio.”

Antonio: “May I escort you to your usual table?”

Bette: (taking a moment to respond) “Actually, I was hoping I could be seated at that table.” (Bette refers to an empty table beside Tina)

Antonio: “Absolutely, Miss Porter.” (He leads Bette to her desired table)

Tina is seated at her table and is trying her best to collect her thoughts. She glances up and sees Bette being lead in her direction. Suddenly, Tina’s heart sets off a chain reaction, it starts to race and her mind follows suit.

‘Oh god, she’s coming this way! What is going on with me? Why am I stressing out about it?’

Bette takes her seat at the next table and thanks Antonio.

Bette: (smiling but trying to judge the expression on Tina’s face but can’t seem to read it) “Tinawe meet again.” (then jokingly she added) “So am I following you or are you following me?”

Tina’s heart pulsates twice as fast in hearing Bette say her name. She wonders “What is it about her voice?” and then it hits her.  ‘Bette sounds like the woman’s voice on the line. Jesus Tina, you’re losing your mind! It can’t be her because my client is due here any minute now. What is wrong with you?’

Bette: (noticing a blank expression on Tina’s face, as if she’s in another world) “HelloEarth to Tina.”

Tina: (realizing she was lost in her own thoughts) “Huh. Oh, I’m sorry but I think that fall may have shaken me up more than I realize.”

Bette: (showing concern) “I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do for you?”

Tina: (suddenly stammering) “I think you have beenmore than kind as it is.”

Bette: (smiling) “Like I said before, it has been my pleasure.”

Tina returns Bette’s smile and shyly looks away. ‘God, I can’t even look at this woman.’ Tina realizes her cheeks are flushed.

A waiter approaches Tina to take her drink order.

Tina: “I’ll have a glass of your red wine, please.”

The waiter prepares to leave but Tina stops him.

Tina: (to waiter) “Oh, one moment.” (Tina turns to Bette) “Could I buy you a drink, Bette?”

Bette: (surprised) “Ohno Tina, you don’t need to”

Tina: (interrupting) “I’d like toit’s the least I can do.”

Bette: (pretending to sigh in defeat, smiles) “I’ll have whatever you’re having.”

Tina: (smiles at Bette) “Okay.”  (to waiter) “Make that two glasses of red wine, please.”

Bette: “You really didn’t need to buy me a drink. Your thank you was enough.”

Tina: “I really wanted to.”

Bette: (smiling) “So Tina do you come here often?”

Tina: “I’ve been here a few times before. One of my clients actually recommended it.”

Bette: “Do you mind me asking what type of business you’re in?”

Tina: “I head up development at Alphaville studios.”

Bette: (intrigued) “That sounds likes an interesting job.”

Tina: “It can be, but it also can be really demanding.”

Bette: “You must be good at it to be the head honcho.”

Tina: (smiling) “I guess I am.”

Bette: “I love a woman who knows her self worth.”

Tina is preparing to ask Bette about her occupation, but is interrupted when the waiter returns with their red wine.

Bette: (her fingers gently draped on the stem the wine glass) “Thank you again, Tina.”

Tina: (smiling) “It’s my pleasure.” (she picks up her wine glass) “Here’s to not fallingbut having someone to catch you should it happen.”

Bette: (raising her wine glass) “I’ll drink to that!”

As Tina takes a sip of her wine, Bette notices a silver band on Tina’s ring finger. Suddenly, Bette wonders why her heart has sunk into her chest

‘What the ***** is going on with you, Porter?’

Bette: (trying to brace herself for Tina’s answer) “May I ask what your husband does?”

Tina: (surprised) “My husband?”

Bette: (thinking she offended Tina and was getting too personal) “OhI noticed” (Bette refers to Tina’s ring)

Tina: (letting out a small laugh) “This! No, I’m not marriedit’s just to keep the unwanted men away, you know?”

Bette: (feeling a wave of relief wash over her, laughing) “Oh yeah.I know. (Bette holds up her left hand) I just don’t put a ring on though.”

Tina was mesmerized by the sight of Betteher soft brown curls bouncing up and down as she laughed, which was such a sweet sound in Tina’s ears.

‘God, Tina! Of course she knowslook at her – she’s gorgeous!’

Tina suddenly remembers her missing client.

Tina: (glancing at her watch, sighs) “Either my watch isn’t functioning or I believe my client has stood me up and left me to dine alone.”

Bette: “I won’t allow that to happen.”

Tina: (laughing) “So, other than saving klutzy women, you’re also a magician?”

Bette: (raising an eyebrow) “Magician?”

Tina: (joking) “Well, do you intend to perform a trick to make my late client to appear?”

Bette: (teasing) “Well, I don’t know anything about performing tricks or being a magician but I have been told I have magic hands.”

Tina: (gets an image of Bette’s hands running over her skin which freaks her out) “UmBette..will you excuse meI need to goto the ladies room.”

As Tina is walking away all she can think is “God what is going on?”

Bette watches as Tina gets up to leave the table and she can’t help but notice the strange almost scared look on Tina’s face. She decides to follow Tina to the restroom. Bette starts to push on the door to go in but decides instead to wait for Tina outside the restroom door.

Inside the restroom, Tina splashes a little water on her face and is trying to get control of her emotions and figure out what is going on. After several moments she realizes that this feeling isn’t going away, so she decides she is going to go and tell Bette that she isn’t feeling well and she needs to leave.

Tina: (surprised to see Bette standing there waiting on her) “Oh”

Bette: (softly as she is staring in to Tina’s eyes) “Are you okay?”

Tina: (lost in Bette’s eyes) “I’m not sure.”

Bette: (moving in a little closer to Tina) “Is it just me ordo you feel something too?”

Tina: (feeling the need to escape without answering Bette’s question but she is unable to move away from Bette nor break their eye contact) “Iumreallyshould checkto see if my client has shown up.”

Bette: (feeling the urge to kiss Tina, leans in close as if to kiss her but stops just short because she knows she has to let Tina know who she is) “TinaI think I might just be the person you have been waiting for.”