They’d gone to a small Bistro and taken a table outside, which allowed Nikki to smoke. This wouldn’t have been Tina’s first choice but Nikki seemed more agitated now than she had earlier. Besides, between the umbrella for shade and the wind blowing the smoke away from Tina, being outside wasn’t so bad.

“So, who do you think should play me in a movie?” Nikki took another sip from her wine glass and leaned forward, whispering conspiratorially. “Someone dead beautiful, no doubt.”

As Nikki again leaned closer and touched her hand, Tina could feel her mouth go dry. “No doubt,” she agreed. Why was it always tall, attractive brunettes?

Not that she had invited Nikki to lunch for any reason other than to talk with her. But as the afternoon was wearing on and the conversation was flowing more easily with the wine, Tina couldn’t help feel a tug coming from the other woman. The English accent, not as refined as Helena’s but still charming, only added to the package.

“Alice mentioned to me that you know Helena Peabody.”

“Right.” Nikki snapped off the word.

“She also mentioned that you didn’t appear to have a very good opinion of Helena.”

“Everyone around here seems to think that she’s Mother Bloody Theresa or something.”

“I don’t think that’s a universal opinion.” Tina could well remember the friction between Helena and Bette, especially before Angelica’s birth. “But I don’t think she’s horrible, either.”

“Sleep with her, did you.”

“I don’t think,” the question had Tina flustered.

Nikki nodded, knowing she’d struck a chord. “You’d be her type.”

This opportunity did present a chance for a different view of her friend, Helena. “Does she have a type?”

“Well, you were probably together at a time that you were vulnerable and in need.”

While Tina hated to admit that Nikki was correct on both points, when she was with Helena it was so soon after the breakup and she was pregnant. For Tina, it was a time when she was trying to rebuild her life. “Perhaps.”

“That’s what she does. She finds vulnerable women and swoops in.”

“Swoops in? Isn’t that a bit dramatic?”