Tina nods. ”Sure, my girlfriend hasn’t made it yet anyway…thank you….” She settles into a plush leather chair, crossing her long legs as she checks her watch.

Before Tina can get too comfortable, a striking woman with glossy dark hair and a crimson blazer steps into the lobby. ” Hi, Tina Kennard?”

Tina stands up, smoothing her pencil skirt. ” Yes…”

The woman smiles warmly and extends a manicured hand. ”Hi, I’ m GiGi Ghorbani…”

Tina accepts her firm handshake. ” Hi, nice to meet you…”

”So, I know you were expecting Kelly, but I assure you that I’ m all caught up on what you’re looking for. I promise you’ re in good hands….” GiGi says, her voice melodic and confident.

”Great…” Tina says, taking in GiGi’s professional yet stylish appearance.

GiGi motions down the hallway lined with framed property photographs. ”We can head into my office right down here so we can chit for a second…”

Tina nods and walks beside GiGi, their heels clicking in unison against the floor as they stroll down the hall.

GiGi glances sideways at Tina, her eyebrows creasing curiously. ” Your name sounds so familiar…have you used us before, maybe in the last couple of years or so?”

Tina shakes her head. ”Uh, no…. I actually haven’t been back in town that long…”

”Gotcha…” GiGi says as they round the corner……

***

About ten minutes later, Tina is perched on the edge of a low leather chair, her posture poised and polite, while GiGi sits behind her desk reviewing listings on a laptop. The door swings open, and GiGi’s secretary slips out of the way to reveal Bette, who slips in with the confident grace of someone used to commanding attention.

Bette offers Tina a warm, apologetic smile. “Hey, baby, sorry, traffic was…” Her voice trails off the moment she freezes, gaze locking onto GiGi’s. The air shivers with recognition. “GiGi?”

GiGi rises slowly, a flicker of disbelief softening into amusement. “Bette Porter…” She tilts her head and looks at Tina, a genuine chuckle rumbling in her chest. “That’s why your name sounded so familiar…”

Tina’s eyes dart between the two women, curiosity and surprise mingling in her expression. “So… you know each other?”