Tina opens her mouth to respond but then closes it. A fleeting look of being impressed crosses her face before she quickly hides it. She adjusts her blazer and sighs. “Fine, you’re hired….”

Dena raises her arms over her head. “Yes…” She says as she begins to dance.

Tina turns and points to Dena. “On a probationary basis…. the first time I have to ask you to do something twice, you’re out…”

Dena nods. “Yes ma’am…”

“I’m headed out in thirty minutes, go have my car brought around….” Tina says as the elevator doors open.

“Oh, but the secretary usually—” Dena begins.

Tina turns around and tilts her head at Dena.

Dena smiles and points to Tina. “On it, boss….”

Tina nods and turns to walk away. She then turns back and looks at Dena. “Nice elevator pitch, young lady….” She smirks as she turns to walk away, catching Dena doing another happy dance out of the corner of her eye just before the elevator doors close….

***

The Planet…

Later that night, the scent of garlic, fresh basil, and simmering marinara mingle with laughter. The gang leans into one another, clinking glasses and passing steaming platters family-style.

Alice raises her wine and settles back into her chair, a playful smile tugging at her lips as she nudges Dana’s arm. “So then Tasha was like…” Alice begins, lowering her voice into a teasing imitation. “‘You’re gonna get to know me real well…’” She lets the words hang for a beat, then grins. “Like…how hot is that?”

Dana rolls her eyes, amusement rippling across her features. “So, when do we get to meet this woman?”

Alice shrugs, fingers twirling the stem of her glass. “Well, I’m gonna debut her at game night…” She glances down the table and angles her brow at Bette and Tina. “Although some people already met her when they crashed our date…”

Tina giggles into her napkin before she eats the last of the buttery fillet of fish on her plate.

Bette smirks. “That is not at all what happened…”

Alice just shrugs again, setting down her wine with a soft clink. “Well, you have your story. I have mine….”