Previously:

    “Bette! My dear, I am so glad you came!” Helena
exclaimed and gave Bette’s cheeks a soft kiss each. Bette couldn’t help
flash back to her first date with Tina and felt a pang in her heart.
No, Bette chided herself. No Tina for you tonight, or ever, Bette.

    “Good evening Ms. Peabody.” Bette smiled woodenly.
“Have you met Alice Piezecki? She’s a writer for LA Magazine.”

    “I believe I’ve read one or two of her pieces. Hello Alice.” Helena was all smiles.

    “Ms. Peabody, it’s an honor to meet such an
accomplished woman such as yourself!” Alice gushed. Bette
surreptitously elbowed her side.

    “Thank you Alice!” Helena beamed. Then turning to
scan the crowd, she raised an arm and beckoned someone to come. “Here
comes my date for the evening. Someone you
know, Bette.” Helena gave Bette a crafty smile.

    “Tina, my dear. Come congratulate Bette on her promotion.”

    “Tina Hanson, you know Bette Porter?” Helena had an
arm around a short red headed woman. Bette’s glance alternated between
the pleasant faced redhead and Helena. Her knees nearly gave out in
relief. Alice gave her elbow a sudden tug that brought her back to the
moment.

    “Tina… Hanson! Owner of the Hanson Gallery! Your
date?” Bette couldn’t help blurting out. Helena was sporting a mocking
grin and nodded gravely.

    “Ms. Hanson, I’m so glad, you have no idea how glad,
I am to see you!” Bette said in a rush. The woman’s bemused but
friendly smile jumpstarted Bette’s heart.

    “Why Bette, you’re looking flushed! Maybe I should
be worried?” Helena teased easily and cupped a hand around Tina
Hanson’s shoulder possessively. Her eyes were a different matter. They
gleamed in secret amusement and enjoyment. Bette would’ve lunged at her
throat if not for the sheer giddiness that washed over her. Tina
HANSON! Bette suddenly laughed out loud. Alice glanced at her in alarm.

    “Hello, Ms. Hanson! I’m Alice,”  Alice rushed,
trying to cover for Bette’s odd behavior. “Erm, I’m sorry, but Bette
and I were just on the way to the restroom. Right Bette? Uh, so we
better get going. It was a pleasure to meet you. Ms. Peabody, we’ll see
you a bit later.”

    Alice dragged Bette away, watching her friend
closely. Helena and Tina Hanson looked at each other and shrugged.
Bette had a glazed look in her eye and she was chuckling to herself
intermittently.

    “Bette, what happened? Do you need a drink now? Or
maybe a glass of water?” Alice was concerned. Sure, Bette talked to
herself sometimes, but laughing at nothing in particular was never in
her repertoire of strange behaviors.

    “Alice, didn’t you hear? It was Tina HANSON.”

    “Yeah, so what?”

    “It wasn’t Tina, my Tina!” Bette looked at Alice and smiled radiantly.

    “Why would Tina come here? Did she know Franklin or
Helena? Well, she knows you but I hardly think she’s going to come see
you after…”

    “That doesn’t matter anymore Alice. I think Shane’s right.”

    “About what?”

    “About finding out what I want. I think I know.
Alice, would you mind if we cut this short? I think I need to be
somewhere.” Bette’s face shone and Alice was worried.

    “Either you’re still drunk or I am. Where are you going?”

    “Oh *****. Alice, do you know where Tina lives?”

    Alice was taken aback. “Well, let’s ask Shane coz apparently she knows everything…”

TBC