“No she just asked the girlfriend question. I told her that neither one of us has any other girlfriend now. I told her we were a family.”

”Good. I told her the same thing.”

”She also asked about us getting married. Said you two talked about smashing cake in my face.” Tina teased.

“Alice was right that kid really is a traitor isn’t she. She can’t keep a secret.” Bette laughs.

“No I don’t think she can. But I liked the idea of you licking it off my face, and if we had time I would tell you some other places I wouldn’t mind having you lick.” Tina knows she is being naughty.

“You can’t talk like that when I’m surrounded by business associates baby. You know what you do to me. I’ll call you later when I get back to the hotel and we can explore some of those other places you want licked.” Two can play at that game thought as images of Tina clouded her mind.

“I should have known better than to start that with you. I was already missing you and now you’re making it even harder.”

“I’m sorry baby. I’ll be good but don’t forget you started it.”

“I’ll let you go. I know you have business to attend to. I hope you didn’t mind that she called you.”

“Not at all. I told you no matter what. Call me if either of you needs to talk OK? I’ll call you before I go to sleep tonight. I love you baby.”

“I love you babe. I’ll talk to you later.”

They hang up and Tina finishes dinner and calls Angie to eat.

***

The following day the center has organized a field trip for the kids to attend a huge Arts and Crafts Festival. Tina has to work, and even though they have volunteers escorting the kids Tina felt better knowing Angie would be with Shane and Leigh. Shane started hanging out more at the center even when she didn’t have photography classes. When she’d told Leigh about the outing, Leigh asked if she could join them.

There was music, games, activities and loads of junk food and not surprisingly they also had quite a few nice pieces of artworks. Leigh made sure to pick up some business cards for Bette and James knowing that they were always looking for new talent.