“Is that guy bothering you?”

“No, it’s not like that.” Tina forced a smile. “Thanks for bringing them.”

“No problem. Since we missed breakfast, do you want to get lunch later? I have a proposition for you.”

“I’d love to. What’s up?”

“I just had an idea last night. I’m getting close to done with another painting and I wondered if maybe you would like to sell some of them here. They’re landscapes… local scenes. I mean, after you checked them out, of course.”

“Sure I would,” Tina smiled. “Whenever you’re ready to have a show,” Tina said lightly.

“Great. Well um, I’ll come by around lunchtime then.”

“Okay, see you.”

Tina watched Bette leave and wondered what was up. Tina was sure she wanted to be friendly but coming over early in the morning just to ask about Tina maybe selling her paintings seemed a little strange. And how did Bette know where she lived? Tina shook her head at herself. It was a small town. No one was hard to find. She was way too paranoid. A lunch date with Bette was just what she needed. A reprieve from her inner turmoil would do her good.

Tina looked at the flowers with a sigh. It was a beautiful bouquet, bridal even, all soft, sweet-smelling pastels. She didn’t want to look at them all day. She picked them up and took them out the back door, where the store’s dumpsters were. She chucked the bouquet inside one of them with a lump in her throat. It was ridiculous, considering the circumstances, that she felt guilty doing it, but she did. She turned and went into the store, feeling slightly closer to making a decision.

***

As planned, Bette appeared shortly before noon, and she and Tina set off for the café along the boardwalk. They decided to sit outside, placing their orders and getting situated.

“I come here a lot,” Bette said.

“Can’t cook?” Tina asked.

Bette raised her eyebrows. “What makes you say that?”

“Nearly every time I’ve seen you, food has been involved. The first time I saw you, you were sitting over there,” Tina nodded at a nearby table. “That was you, wasn’t it?”