“Am I interrupting something?”

“Bette!” Tina said gratefully. “You’re early. You were supposed to be picking me up later,” Tina smiled and hoped Bette would pick up on it and go along.

“You’re right, I am early. But we might as well go now,” Bette said. “Better sooner than later.”

“Right!” Tina said. “I’ll just grab my purse.” She ducked inside and closed the door, ignoring Grant’s protests. She got her purse and came back out, locking the door behind her. Grant was still standing there with the cop, and they both looked at her, as if they expected her to say something.

“Um. Thanks guys. I um, have things to do. So. See you later.” Tina hurried around them and started walking with Bette quickly down the street.

Bette giggled and glanced over her shoulder. Tina heard two cars starting up and breathed a sigh of relief.

“What was that all about?” Bette wanted to know.

Tina shook her head. “Men can be ridiculous.”

Bette snickered. “You don’t say. Why did Grant look like he was about to knock that cop out?”

Tina gave Bette a quick recap and added, “I don’t know why they think I can’t take care of myself.”

“Sounds like Grant still cares about you. Not many guys would keep up a night watch like that.”

“Grant likes playing the hero. I think that’s why he started dating me in the first place. I’m pretty pathetic. I guess guys just see me as a damsel in distress to be rescued or something.”

Bette stopped walking and looked Tina in the eye. “If we’re going to be friends, I’m going to need you to stop talking about yourself like that. There’s nothing pathetic about you. You say stuff like that all the time.”

“Do I?” Tina shrugged slightly. “A habit I picked up, I guess. I got so used to hearing that kind of thing I started believing it. Saying it before anyone else could say it to me. Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize to me,” Bette said. “It makes me sad that you think about yourself that way.” They started walking again. “You’re such an interesting person, Tina. You’re smart, you’re beautiful… there’s something about you that intrigues people.”