Chapter 46

"Thank you" Bette said as Tina sat down her plate of food and cup of coffee. Tina cleared her throat and sat across from Bette without saying a word, their conversation from last night still weighing heavy on her brain. Bette ate until the silence was too much to bare. "You know Tina I didn’t have a problem when you accepted a job from Nylan and furthermore…". Tina sipped her orange juice and remained silent.

"And might I add you work for Nylan and I have no problem with that because…I trust you Tina" Bette finished.

"Trust has nothing to do with this…" Tina responded.

"Yes it does…it has everything to do with it Tina" Bette dropped her fork on her plate and stared at Tina for a moment,"I thought we were past this".

"We never discussed it so how could you think that we’re past it" They felt the need to discuss it because neither of them expected to have to deal with Candace ever again.

"Look Tina…its just business, Peggy put me on a budget for construction cost and I’m trying not to exceed it…thats it…period" Bette stated. "I just want your support and trust…please".

"Fine Bette if you want to hire Candace…do what you feel is right, I don’t want to waste my energy arguing about Candace Jewel" Tina replied.

"I didn’t want this to be an argument and cause stress for you…especially now and if I were you I’d be angry too but I’m thinking about my museum and nothing else believe me" Bette took Tina’s hand in her own and held it close to her heart,"I love you and I’ll never hurt you like that again…I promise".

"You’d better not" Tina said leaning over and cupping Bette’s face to give her one quick peck on the lips. "Now go before you’re for meeting with…".

"Leo Herrera…he’s taking Helena’s place…I hope he’s not some total asshole I really am not in the mood for it this morning" Bette got up from the table and picked up her briefcase from the couch, she headed for the door.

"Don’t be late for dinner" Tina yelled after Bette unsure if she’d heard her.

**********

Dana sat on her side of the bed one foot on the floor and the other resting on the bed where she sat next to a slumbering Alice. Its where she had been all night watching Alice as she slept and not really getting any rest herself. She had been mentally preparing for what was to come when Alice finally woke up and asked her about last night. Dana looked over at Alice and a single tear ran down her cheek, she knew that whenever Alice did awake it was over and probably for good. There would be no getting over this for she and Alice.