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Later, Bette was finishing up loading the dishwasher as she asked Lauren, "So you’re opening a new gallery in Williamsburg, and you’ve signed up Arkins, Gilson, Okishi, Hickes, and possibly Jepessen?"

Lauren nodded her head.

Lauren was in a pair of jeans and an oversized shirt of Bette’s. Her long straight, blond hair fell lightly over her back, after she’d blown it dry following a long, hot shower in the bath adjacent to the studio.

Bette had similarly changed out to a more casual attire, in tight jeans, ballet flats, a tank top, and a cashmere cardigan that she belted loosely across her waist.

During the car ride back to the city Lauren was explaining to Bette her plans to open a gallery sometime late spring, after the Whitney Biennial, and was asking her advice.

"Well, that’s already a pretty good line up, Lauren," Bette said.

She looked at the clock, checking the time, while she tapped on the kitchen unit to release the cabinet that held the cappuccino maker.  Martin and Yves were probably hours away from returning, yet.  After the hunt, they were probably going to have "breakfast," which was the traditional meal served after a hunt, and called breakfast not matter what time of the day it fell into.

Lauren whistled as the cabinet gently popped out.  "This is the coolest house I have ever been in.  Peggy is right, it is stunning, too."

"Thanks," Bette smiled, as she scooped some freshly ground beans into the cappuccino maker, "A lot of the things you see here in the kitchen are Tina’s ideas and she oversaw most of construction here and everywhere else."

"Well, I can’t believe it was only her, Bette. You don’t seem the type to sit back while someone reconstructs a living space that you’ll be occupying!  And besides," Lauren added, "Peggy gave you the highest praise in esthetic, design, and art matters."

Bette smirked as she finished frothing the milk, then, on impulse expertly finished the cup with a flower flourish before handing Lauren her cappuccino.

"You see!" Lauren exclaimed, as she accepted the cup.  "Even this cappuccino has a flower you created on it!  You just can’t help yourself!"

Bette laughed, "Yeah … well, I like to see art in everything."

"I can tell," Lauren responded, eyeing Bette over the rim of cappuccino cup, as she took a sip.