Henry was meeting friends for drinks and had invited Tina to come along but she’d declined since she’d planned to spend the evening with Helena. As she drove away from Helena’s beach house she contemplated calling to tell him that she’d changed her mind but instead headed to the Planet. She wasn’t sure why she’d decided on the neighborhood café/bar knowing the likelihood of running into Bette, Kit or one of their friends but for some reason this evening she would welcome it. She’d enjoyed their brief time together at brunch and when she’d driven by Bette and Emma’s home on Sunday evening she’d longed to stop the car and go inside to join what obviously sounded like a celebration.

***

Tina entered the café at around 5:30p. She sat in the lounge area intent on getting a cocktail while she decided if she would stay for dinner or just get something to go. She didn’t want to eat alone in the restaurant but it was more appealing than going home to an empty house to eat her meal in front of the TV. She looked around the Planet and noticed some subtle changes that she hadn’t made note of before. The seating in the lounge area was cozier and more conducive to intimate gatherings. Some of the lighting was changed and the art work was different. She guessed Kit Porter was responsible and knew from the conversations during brunch the previous Sunday that Kit had big plans to transform the Planet into one of West Hollywood’s hottest new night spots. A server came over to take Tina’s drink order and left her with the bar menu. Bette walked into the Planet about fifteen minutes later and spotted Tina sitting alone sipping an Apple Mojito while browsing the menu.

“Hey.”

Tina looked up a bit startled at Bette’s sudden appearance in front of her. “Hey.”

“What are you doing here all by yourself. Are you meeting someone?” Bette asked.

“No. I just stopped in for a drink. Now I’m trying to decide about dinner. What are you doing here, are you meeting Emma?”

“No it’s just me tonight. She does group therapy on Wednesdays and usually has dinner with colleagues afterwards to debrief. I was just going to pick up a salad and some garlic bread to go with the lasagna I have at home. Would you like to come over? Shane’s eating with me but there’s plenty of food. You are more than welcome to join us if you want.”