She swallowed, smiling at me. “You heard me.”

“I wasn’t flirting with her.”

“I didn’t say you were flirting.” She was being vague. But I wasn’t going to bite.

I was starting to think that Tina was actually jealous. Not just of Jodi, but of the waitress who just took my order.

I looked around, hoping that maybe Alice or Shane had finally arrived to interrupt this weird tension between us that was continuing to mount. My tablemate must have noticed and took it as a sign that I was looking for Jodi.

“So where is she?”

Oh fuck, I did not want to answer that question. So I stalled.

“Where’s who?”

“Jodi.”

Time to deflect. It’s what I do best. I was lucky that my drink arrived just in time for me to offer up an apology.

“Here ya go, Bette. I put it on your tab with Kit, okay?”

“Okay, thanks.” I take a sip then directed my attention to the blonde beside me. “Listen, I want to apologize for not warning you about her coming over. I honestly didn’t know that you two would cross paths like that, I was hoping to have a more formal introduction, you know, with all our friends. So if it was awkward this morning, I’m sorry.”

She smiled sweetly.

“You don’t have to apologize, Bette. It’s your house, you can have over whomever you want, whenever you want. It’s fine.”

I watched her face as she spoke. It sure sounded sincere. “Okay.” I took another sip of my own drink and began watching the crowd shuffle around to find a seat. “I’m really excited for my sister tonight. I hope this album really takes off for her.”

“Yeah, me too. Kit deserves it. She’s worked really hard.”

“I’m so proud of how well she’s been doing. I don’t think she’s had a drink since before daddy died.”

And in a weird twist of irony, Tina lifted her martini glass to meet mine and we toasted to my sister. At least we weren’t talking about Jodi anymore.

“So, how long have you two been dating?”

Dammit. Spoke too soon.

“Not long. Few weeks, maybe.” Yep. I think I detected a very envious Kennard. That needed another sip.

“You seem crazy about her.”

“What makes you say that?” I looked at her expectantly. I saw how uneasy she was becoming. This was hard for her. She was trying to play it off, I’ve been there. It’s not fun.

She searched her drink for the answer. I looked away so as not to make her more uncomfortable than she clearly already was.

“Just the way you looked at her.”

“Hmm.” I said with a long nod of my head.

“That look, I know that look.” The softness of her voice made me smile because I know how hard she’s trying to not let it affect her. “You used to look at me like that back in the day.” She added with a sigh.

God, Tina, what do you want from me? It’s so confusing. This is what you wanted. Isn’t it?

“Are you in love with her?”

Now that, I wasn’t ready for.

“Hoh, God, Tina, I don’t know.”

“I think you are.” She said softly.

“It’s way too soon. I don’t, I don’t even want to think about it.”

“Why isn’t she here?”

Fuck. “She’s deaf.”

“Oh. Of course. I’m sorry.”

“Why isn’t Henry here?”

She blew out a breath. “Oh, he’s, uh, I don’t know. Clueless!”

“Of course. I’m sorry.” I laughed a little. I wasn’t meaning to be smug, but it must have come off like that to her.

“Um, waiter, can I um, have another? Well, I can’t blame you for gloating.”

“I’m, I’m not gloating. I mean really, the real reason Jodi isn’t here is because she has a…” I heard a voice say “hello” behind us and looked to see Jenny walking towards us in some God-awful dress that reminded me of that scary swan dress that Bjork wore to the Grammy’s that one year. Finally, the interruption I was looking for to get my mind off of Jodi and her date.