“Good,” Luke nodded, then signaled to the lawyer to resume going through the details.   Minutes later, he began signing the papers. 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

Three weeks later

Tina alighted gracefully from the cab, walking quickly to the front door of the building, when her mobile rang.  She thumbed the glass screen, and smiled as she entered the building.  Bette had sent her an “I love you” text with a picture attached to it of the floral arrangement Tina had arranged to be delivered to her hotel room in Chicago. 

Ever since getting back to New York, Bette had resumed working with George, slowly building up her workload.  She and George had agreed from the outset that she’d take selected trips only when absolutely needed – in case George himself couldn’t go.  However, George had conflicting meetings scheduled this week: one in LA and one in Chicago.  The investment they were looking at in Chicago was going to be with a software firm that Arvind had a long-standing relationship with, and George pointed out, since Bette was the one who knew the investment they had gone into in Arvind’s firm, as well as the one who had gotten close to Arvind himself, turning to him for help from time to time during her year away, she was the natural choice to go to Chicago.  He would stay in LA and attend to the prospective investment there. 

Even so, Bette sought to find out if there were a way by which she could remain in New York and work on this prospective deal, meeting by VC.  After protracted discussions via VC with Arvind and the Chicago firm, and a long talk with Tina, Bette decided that she couldn’t avoid making the trip.  

Tina was sending Bette a quick response to the brunette’s text when she noticed a blonde woman struggling with a set of keys as she stood in front of the door that led to the first floor apartment.  Something familiar about her.  

The woman turned to look at Tina when she sensed Tina  looking.  As she did so, the memory of where Tina had seen her before hit Tina.  Paris!  What did Bette call her?  Kelly something?  Oh, yeah…. Kelly Wentworth. 

Hi, the woman said, in a mellifluous voice.  I’m Kelly.  Kelly Wentworth.  She was extending a hand in greeting.