She eyed the obviously pensive Tiler, who was sipping her PSL with a thoughtful expression on her face. Seems like there’s more than a hangover she’s battling this morning.

Tiler casually hitched a thumb on a back-pocket as she swallowed a mouthful of the latte, giving Tina a small smile when she caught the blonde eyeing her, and nodded as Tina absentmindedly handed her the two cups of ice cream the blonde was juggling with the same hand she was holding her shaken iced tea, while trying to pop open her handbag with the other hand, searching for something.

Earlier, as they’d chatted while waiting for Rachel, Tiler had admitted that she’d shown up for the impromptu meeting because she’d wanted to learn what she could from her two bosses while she had a chance to. Sheepishly, she also confessed that she felt showing up for the Sunday meeting would go over well with Tina.  “Uh huh, you’re right about that!” Tina had responded in a teasing tone.

Tina flashed the tall, young butch a grateful smile now. “Thanks for showing up, Tiler.  I do appreciate the effort, and really want to hear your ideas.  Better not inhale the ice cream, though, the same way you demolished your own giant serving, ‘cos it won’t be pleasant around here when Angelica and TJ show up, with no ice cream to greet them!”

They shared a good-natured chuckle. After a few minutes, Tina’s mood soon reverted to the sour one she’d been walking around with over the past few days.

Tina had not been able to get over William’s insistence about inviting a group of former pro athletes to the upcoming premiere of a film their studio had made. The film was a sports drama about an undersized guy who’d managed to break into the pro ranks, but had suffered a catastrophic injury during his first game.  He’d eventually become successful in doing something else, unwilling to accept that the end of his pro career had spelt the end of everything else for him.  It starred a popular actor and an agreeable supporting cast.

The group of former pro athletes William had invited to join him in the red carpet was replacing the passel of fashion-types who’d been in town for New York Fashion Week. But the models had subsequently found it more interesting to fly out to Cannes for the super-yacht event instead of staying back in new York for the premiere. Inviting the former pro athletes had been a spur-of the-moment thing for William.  He’d glossed over the fact that each of the former pros had tried to play down their criminal records when he’d arranged for them to be invited.