Sam waited for an explanation. Tina explained how she had to tell Bette about their flirting and how Bette didn’t take it well at all. Sam looked down. Tina told her it wasn’t her fault but she needed to keep their relationship strictly professional until she figured out her relationship with Bette. Tina told Sam she thought she was an amazing human and this was no one’s fault but her own.

“I’m sorry if I’ve been making things uncomfortable for you,” Tina finally said.

“Not uncomfortable. I just didn’t know if I was messing up the movie or something.”

“Nooo, not at all. This is all me and my baggage. I’m sorry I have been making it a weird environment. I will do better. I love what you are doing with the movie.”

“Thanks. Oh and Tina?”

“Yes?”

“Bette loves you,” Sam said.

Tina blinked in surprise.

“How do you know?”

“It was blatant when I met her briefly. The energy between y’all is palpable. Don’t be so hard on yourself. We all make mistakes. I understand now why you’ve been acting weird.” Sam laughed.

“I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize. Do what you need to do to. Maybe we can be friends once you and Bette have figured out your stuff.”

Tina smiled.

“See ya tomorrow, Tina.”

“Bye, Sam.”

Tina watched Sam walk away. She looked down at her phone again and decided to wait until she got back to the apartment to read it.

Tina poured a big glass of Ice Wine and sat with her legs crisscrossed on the sofa. She took a big gulp of wine and let it calm her nerves as it traveled over her tongue and down her esophagus. She took several deep breaths. Tina finally clicked the message.

Bette: Hi. The show is doing extremely well. Completely sold out and we’ve received great publicity. Yes, it wraps in 3 weeks. And then KiKi’s installation. James will be in Vancouver next week to prepare and ship the pieces we picked. Fingers crossed KiKi doesn’t try to change anything else. I have been eating. Shane shows up like clockwork with bags of food and random items magically appear in the refrigerator. Apparently, they don’t want to find out what “or else” means. How are you? I hope the shoot went well. ~B

Tina sat with tears in her eyes. Hopeful.