“I don’t know if I’m THE Bette Porter but I am the Bette Porter who owns this gallery” Bette chuckled.

“Wow I just…this show is so amazing” the blonde said.

“Thank you” Bette smiled “so I couldn’t help but notice that you’re here with Alan Thompson”

“Yeah he’s a big art fan” Tina smiled.

“So you’re here on a date?” Bette asked.

“Yes…is that a problem?” Tina responded raising one eyebrow.

“No no not at all” Bette answered quickly.

“You think he’s too old for me?” The blonde teased.

“I’m not judging…I was just curious”

“Well to be honest it’s not a real date” The blonde smiled.

“So it’s a fake date?” Bette raised an eyebrow.

“You could say that” Tina chuckled.

“What does that mean?”

“It means that he’s paying me to come here with him tonight” Tina said.

“Oh…so you’re an…” Bette didn’t know how to finish the sentence,

“Escort” Tina finished the sentence “But I don’t sleep with my dates!” she quickly added.

“Ok” Bette chuckled “I’m still not judging”

“I just didn’t want you to get the wrong idea” Tina blushed.

Just then Alan returned and put his arm around Tina’s waist.

“Bette I see you met my date” he greeted her.

“Hello Alan” Bette forced a smile “Yes she’s very beautiful” she said looking into Tina’s eyes.

Tina blushed and averted her eyes down to the floor.

“You better watch out for this one” Alan said to Tina “I hear she’s a big player” he chuckled.

Bette shot daggers at him through her eyes before looking at Tina who looked back at her curiously.

“So Alan have you seen anything you like?” Bette said trying to change the subject.

“Yes actually I found a very interesting piece” Alan said releasing his grip around Tina and started walking motioning for Bette to follow him.

She took one last look at the blonde before following him.

Bette kept her eyes on the blonde all night and right now she was standing with Alan talking to a few big shots in the same business as Alan.

“Porter awesome show!” Alice exclaimed behind Bette who turned around smiling at her friend.

“Thank you Alice” Bette said hugging her “I’m glad you could make it”

“Are you kidding me?” Alice said “This is like your biggest show ever, there is no way I would miss it” she smiled.

Bette smiled back at her before her eyes went back to Tina who was now looking intently at her and Alice.

“Who is that?” Alice asked curiously.

“That is Alan Thompson’s date” Bette looked at Alice for a reaction.

“What!?” Alice exclaimed “He must be more than twice her age” she said her mouth hanging open.

“I need to have a talk with Alan” she said.

“What?” Bette exclaimed “No! Alice stay away from them”

“I just want to know his secret” Alice smirked.

“You don’t have to ask him I already know”

“What do you know?”

“She’s an escort” Bette said looking at Tina.

“Wow Alan Thompson is paying for his dates” Alice laughed “Isn’t that hilarious?”

Bette wasn’t listening, she had locked eyes with Tina and neither of them broke the gaze.

“Hey Porter!” Alice exclaimed shaking Bette’s shoulder “are you listening to me?”

The evening went on smoothly and a lot of pieces were already sold, Bette couldn’t have been happier with the outcome.

She was in her office to get some papers as she heard a small knock.

She looked up to find Tina by the door.

“Hey” the blonde smiled at her.

“Hey” she smiled back “Come in”

Tina took a few steps inside.

“I just wanted to say goodnight…we’re leaving now”

“Oh ok” Bette said “Goodnight” she smiled.

“Was that your girlfriend?” Tina blurred out.

“What? Who?” Bette looked at her.

“The blonde…that you were hugging and laughing with”

Bette looked curiously at Tina.

“Why do you care?”

“I don’t” Tina said unconvincingly.

“Ok” Bette smiled.

“So is she?” Tina asked.

“No” Bette smiled “She’s a good friend”

“Oh” Tina smiled.

“Well if you ever need a date to an event or something here’s my number” Tina handed her a small business card.

“I don’t know” Bette teased “I hear escorts are pretty pricey”

“We can always work something out” Tina attempted a wink before heading out the door.

Bette chuckled to herself before finding the papers she needed and heading back out.

TBC