Bette strolled into the Planet one afternoon mid-week, her sunglasses shielding the harsh summer LA sun. With her drink in hand, the brunette sought the confines of her favorite table.

The woman gathered her cup and followed Bette a few steps behind. “Fancy meeting you here.”

Her face lit up at the sight of the newcomer. Bette quickly stood and hugged the woman. “A little bird alerted you to my whereabouts, no doubt. We need to stop meeting like this.”

“Considering how busy you’ve been, it was a logical choice.” Her smile was in place as she sat down next to Bette. “I trust Angelica is well?”

“She is,” Bette brightened at the mention of her daughter. “Just a case of the bug that’s going around.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” Barbara took a sip of her coffee. “And Tina?”

It took Bette a moment to realize the question. She glanced at the woman in front of her, and answered slowly, “She’s good. Busy with work.”

Barbara nodded and looked away. The crowd was thinning out, which gave them a semblance of privacy. She returned Bette’s watchful gaze, memorizing the features she had studied so closely not too long ago.

“What are your plans for the rest of the summer?”

“Didn’t my assistant apprise you of the situation?” Bette teased gently. “For some reason, my summer’s more packed than when I was in the business world.”

“Academia agrees with you.”

“And California for you,” Bette replied smoothly, her once-over of the woman confirmed her words. “So what brings you here?”

“You.” The former senator’s monosyllable answer piqued Bette’s interest. “I’d like a progress report on the project.”

She tilted her head, watching the woman in front of her casually survey their surroundings. “I’m surprised Phyllis had not given you an update.”

Barbara shrugged. “I didn’t ask her.”

Bette smiled. “How was DC?”

“Cold, brutal, pretentious,” Barbara answered smoothly. “In other words, business as usual. Unfortunately, I have to go back for the hearings.”

“Is a comeback on the horizon?”

The question had been on her mind ever since her assistant showed up at the charity event not too long ago. “If you asked me two weeks ago, my answer would be a definite yes. Right now though, I can’t fathom going back to that black hole.”