“I was only joking, sweety pie. Of course I am Dave Cincinnati, the one and only.”

“I’m Tina Kennard, the woman that saved your woman’s live by finding her flash drive.”

“I heard that story. Typically Sam to have that happening to her. I have to thank you for that, by the way. If she had lost it, she would be hell to live with for the next couple of decades.”

Another slap, intended playfully. That man must have a lot of bruises, Tina mused. 

They sat down and Tina offered them a drink – everyone agreed to crack a bottle of white wine to start the evening with.

“So, what is it that you do?” Tina asked Dave after her first glass. “I already asked Sam, but she was unable to pronounce it.”

“It’s not *that* hard,” Dave rolled his eyes in a playful manner. “I’m an Ab Initio Developer with Cognos and Teradata.”

Before Tina had the chance to ask what did involved, the bell rang again. This time Tina stood up to let the only missing guest in. After a minute or so, Alexandra knocked on the door. 

Tina smiled at the girl standing before her – she could perfectly picture Bette liking her. You immediately saw what you could expect – an open, kind and honest person.

“Hi, I’m Tina Kennard. Come in.”

“Alexandra Spence, nice to meet you.”

Tina took Alexandra’s coat and Bette offered her a glass of white wine, which the blonde girl happily accepted. She was feeling slightly uncomfortable for being late. She had already been on the edge with preparing and then Nathan turning up…

She took one of two empty seats and hoped it wasn’t Tina’s. Bette’s blonde girlfriend came back to join them. Alexandra could see why Bette had fallen so hard for her – she was very beautiful, but also very girl-next-door. 

Soon, the inevitable conversation about Art between Bette, Sam and Alexandra started. Tina and Dave looked at each other helplessly. Dave explained what his job was about and they talked some more about their common love for books – well, that was a love shared by everyone present, but as the others couldn’t stop about art…

After a while, Tina checked up on the food and saw to her delight it was ready.

“Bette!” she called out. “Come and help me?”

A few seconds later, Bette was there. She was all smiles. Everything was going great and she hoped Tina felt the same. They both had made some friends who obviously liked each other as well. Bette leaned in for a hug and a kiss.

“Tonight is even better than I could have wished so far,” she whispered, careful that Sam, Dave and Alexandra wouldn’t hear them.

“I know. Alexandra’s a nice girl. Can you take the pizza out of the oven?”

They put all the food on several trays and walked to the living room. 

“You can all take your seats,” Bette said in between carrying to plates. She placed the last one in the middle of the table and took a seat herself, of course next to Tina.

“Does anyone pray before dinner?” Bette asked, just to be certain. She knew Alexandra was religious, but she didn’t know for sure how far that went.

Everyone shook their heads or said ‘no’. So they dug in.

>>>

“Ugh, TK! I’m sure I gained fifteen pounds!” Sam puffed.

“I’ll take that as a compliment?”

“Really, Tina, this was delicious. The best Italian food by a non-Italian I’ve ever had!” Alexandra added.

Dave was just too stuffed to say anything. Bette was delighted to see there were left overs – that would be more yummy fest for her. They brought everything back to the kitchen and they went back to the living room area again, talking until the small hours.