“Ye-yeah ok let’s talk,” Tina said looking around. “ I know a good place here – Kit’s sister is my…”  Tina almost blurted out Bette’s name without thinking.  She caught herself though.  “Kit is a good friend so I know where the best nooks and crannies are.  This way.”

Tina began walking toward a corner of the café and Kate grabbed her hand which surprised Tina a bit.  They got to the table around the corner from the main area and sat down.  For a moment it seemed that Kate wasn’t going to release Tina’s hand, but she did.  She was grinning from ear to ear though, one of those swarthy, ‘I am sexy and I know it’ smiles.  It was having an effect on Tina because she couldn’t hold her gaze and had to look down, taking a nervous sip of her fruity cocktail.

“So,” Kate began,” I am a woman of action and I like being direct, so here it is.  I like you, Tina and I want you to come spend the night with me.”  She was smiling as she said this, completely sincere.  No guile, deceit, or ulterior motives in her statement.

Tina just looked at her blankly. “Um.. wow, ok.  Kate, um… I like you too actually,” she paused.  “But I can’t.”  She waited another moment before saying, “We work together and it’s – it’s just not a good idea.  Ya know?”  Tina really hoped that Kate bought into her lame excuse.

Kate squinted her eyes.  “hmmm – ok,” was all she said.  It appeared as though she was going to say something else when Tina interrupted.

“And I have to pick up Angelica tonight anyways.”  She looked down at her hands.  “Maybe after the production gets off the ground?  Raincheck?”  Tina looked back up to make eye contact with Kate, but she was looking off in another direction.  When she finally brought her eyes back, she found very sincere and apologetic hazel eyes peering back at her.  She really did seem to be in earnest.

“Ok,” Kate said again, with a slight sigh and a smile.  “Well then, Tina Kennard, I am going to get an Uber back to my loft.  See you soon.”  She turned to leave.  “By the way, please don’t let Jenny try to cast that band singer as Jessie.  It’s just not believable.”

“I won’t,” Tina said, thankful for the change of subject.

On her way out the door, Kate chugged the rest of her beer and threw it into the trash can without looking back.

Tina just sat there, dumbfounded at her own behavior.  She had just essentially been propositioned by a smart, sexy, artistic woman who had her own set of chocolate brown eyes, and turned her down flat!  Why?  Why did she do that?  The thing about Angelica was bullshit, and she had been involved with coworkers before.  No this had nothing to do with that at all.  This was about one thing and one thing only.

Bette.