Bette nodded. “You wouldn’t know it from the way they’re always asking people to join them.”

Tina glanced up at Bette. “Were you asked to join a nudist group, Ms. Porter?”

“Please, call me Bette. And yes, actually, for a while I was all but stalked by this one woman who was a part of a colony in southern New York. It was an experience, to say the least.”

Tina chuckled, amused at the thought of a nudist stalker. “And you can’t tell me that your job isn’t just as bad as mine in the way of stress. You own your own gallery. That’s got to be impossible most of the time.”

Bette swirled her wine in the glass before bringing it to her lips. “That’s different. I have delays and the occasional protestor, but I don’t have to travel to Australia to top it all off. I prefer cursing the world through art instead of actually getting out there and doing it head on.”

“I thought you would travel in your line of work.”

Bette strolled over to the side of the building and leaned against the iron railing. “Occasionally. I travel to New York, Atlanta, Paris, and London, among others, to view some of the shows presented there. I always keep on top of the latest trends and artists – or trendy artists, rather. I don’t really count that as business so much as pleasure though.”

“I know what you mean.” Tina walked over and stood in front of Bette, staring into the large brown eyes before her. “My career isn’t something I hate in the least, and I always go right where the work takes me. I love to travel. It’s my favorite part, actually. It’s the office work that drives me crazy.”

Bette smiled and nodded in agreement. “Yes, sometimes it can be – “

“Bette, there you are.”

“Hello, Alice.” Bette greeted her friend and stood upright again, away from the railing.

“I was starting to wonder if you’d already left. Which would be strange, seeing as this is your opening. If you like though, you can just read about it in the Times next week.”

Bette’s smile faded as she heard the sarcastic tone in Alice’s voice. “It hasn’t been that long since I’ve been in there.”

“An hour isn’t long?”

Surprise registered on Bette’s face as she looked down at her watch. “Oh my. It’s been over an hour.” She looked over at Tina and smiled widely, a mischievous glint appearing in her eyes. “Ms. Kennard, did you do this on purpose? Lead me out here just so you could have me all to yourself?”

Tina smiled back, amused. “I was hoping you wouldn’t notice.” A defeated sigh escaped her lips. “Now I suppose I have to let you go. I need to find Eric anyway. He’s probably wondering if I caught a cab out of here by now.”

She walked slowly over to Bette and extended her hand. “If I can’t steal you away again this evening, know that it was an absolute pleasure meeting you, and I hope we don’t lose touch.”

“I’m having a party – dinner, actually – next Tuesday at seven. Come.”

Tina studied Bette’s face, staring into her eyes for a moment before saying, “I’ll see what I can do.”

Bette grinned. “I’ll see you then.”

“And I see that I’m not wanted.” Alice chuckled slightly and walked back into the gallery to entertain the guests that Bette had abandoned for one beautiful woman.

Bette watched Alice walk through the door again, narrowing her eyes slightly at her ex’s last comment. She turned back to Tina. “I really think I should get back to my guests. Join me?”

“Absolutely.”

Bette held out her arm, cuing Tina to link her own through it. They walked into the gallery, arm in arm, both women smiling brightly for reasons unknown even to them.