“True, true.” Jenny said. They clinked their beer bottles and smiled. “I never would have known. And then we add to all that the fact that Adele fucked me over and sold the movie.”

            “I know a good lawyer who lives in New York,” Bette replied. “I’m going to try and get him to come here for you and the movie. If not, well, there’s always Joyce Wischnia.”

            “Why didn’t you tell Tina how you felt?”

            “I don’t know. Maybe I don’t want to let her know that I was feeling a little insecure about the whole thing. I know how much this rekindled relationship means to her and Angie.”

            “You’re gonna have to tell her eventually.”

            “You’re right about that. I guess I need more time to think.”

            Tina got out of the car and put her sunglasses on. It was four in the afternoon when she found Bette and Jenny, after a few trips around the same area. She walked down the wooden steps and watched her lover and her friend huddle like hockey players. She raised her eyebrow at the mountain of Budweiser bottles lying in the sand next to two garbage bags. The beach was empty save for the two of them and she smiled slightly. She never would have guessed that her control freak lover and her diva-like ex-movie director would bond over a few Buds and the Planet’s food. Bette and Jenny were as similar as oil and water, but Tina easily understood why they would make good friends. They were both artists—Bette was the only one who let Jenny off the hook before she had the chance to read Les Girls. She grinned as they lay on the sand, letting the water cool their toes. Bette had never looked calmer or more beautiful then she did.

            “Remember the basketball game with Papi?” Jenny asked. Bette laughed loudly.

            “We lost badly.”

            “Understatement.”

            Bette laughed again as she sat up and reached for her water. Jenny was slurring badly and she felt like the whole place was spinning. Alice was going to be there in ten minutes to pick them up. And she still had to work on explaining the thing to Tina. “I’ll make you a deal.”