He drew back, grinned broadly at her, and then embraced her again. George led her to their table, one arm over her shoulder.

As she took her seat, he introduced Tina to the other woman at the table, “Kate, Tina Porter-Kennard, one of my dearest friends.”

Tina smiled at her warmly, and extended a welcoming hand, “Hi!”

“Tina,” Kate responded, smiling at her in return, and shook the offered hand.

Tina raised her eyebrows slightly at George. Wow, Kate’s physical similarities to Bette were remarkable – same coloring, beautiful features, and large brown eyes, but Kate was more petite, and she wore her hair short, in a layered style that allowed wisps of hair to cover her forehead. (And she didn’t have her Bette’s dazzling smile.)

Echoes of his Bette baggage? 

George was saying, “And Tina is married to Bette.”

Kate gave Tina a small, quick grin.  

“Yes, I have heard all about Bette,” Kate told Tina with a light laugh, almost rolling her eyes. Bette baggage alright. 

The fact that she could make light of this is a good sign, Tina thought. 

“Why so late?” George asked, raising his eyebrows at Tina, still grinning. “I’ve left a dozen messages at your place, your office, your cell, etc.”

“You realize you’ve changed your mind, um, at least five times, about where we were meeting for dinner tonight right?,” Tina responded drily. She asked the waiter who came over to take her drink order for sparkling water, with lemon. “What was the matter?   Couldn’t decide?” she asked with teasing grin.

”You should be happy I made it here at all.”

“What? No gin and tonic tonight?” George retorted. Tina gave him a smile that seemed to imply many other things. “Um .. no not tonight.”

She looked again at Kate, struck by her overall physical resemblance to Bette.   “I’m sorry if I seem to be staring,” she said with an apologetic smile.

Kate laughed lightly again, and responded, “No problem. I heard from George that you’re solo tonight? That Bette’s away or something?”

Tina nodded, and looked away to hide the flash of sadness that crossed her face.

George exchanged a knowing glance with Kate, and then said softly, “She’ll be back soon enough, Tina. Have you talked?”