"Taking lunch?" almost too surprised how leaving the office during lunch hours seems to be too much of a deal.

"I know, but where?"

"The Planet"

"Do you know that my sister Kit owns The Planet?" Bette stating it more than as a matter of fact but with a little excitement in her voice.

Tina was startled in a minute.

What’s going on? Am I missing something? Is this another bait? Oh no, not another one of your games Porter!

"I heard."

Bette not letting go, even with obvious disinterest from Tina, "You’ve only been here for months. I haven’t taken you there."

"Alice took me there, and I’ve already met Kit. She’s very warm and accommodating."

"You hang out with Al?" not a question but more a confirmation. Of course, Bette already knew the answer to this. Bette and Al have already talked the southern gal.

"Yeah! We hang out every Friday, if there’s time."

"I don’t see you there."

Is that a shy smile forming on her lips? It couldn’t be. Porter, what now!

While Tina seems to be apprehensive, Bette appears to be enjoying every second of the conversation. The brunette’s not known to waste a second of her time with lingering conversations, which don’t make any sense at all, well, except with Alice.

"It’s because you haven’t been there this month. You’re busy with work and everything."

"You seem to know me well."

"I’ve been working with you for months. Is there anything else Ms. Porter? ‘Coz I wanna be back before 1."

Bette almost too sad, "It’s ok, T. Do you need a ride?"

"Ah, no. I have a car. How about you Ms. Porter? Care for some take out?"

Having second thoughts, "Ahmm, I…  No." Bette was almost at a loss for words.

Ok.

T…

Shit! Can you be more desperate! Tina’s dissing you.

***********

At The Planet

Alice greeted Tina with "hey, you’re already late" look.

"Hey, Tina! What took you so long?"

"I run into Bette. She asked me some things," Tina setting her things on the empty chair.

"Hmm, like what?" Alice then started to gain interest.

"That I stay away from Helena!"

"Bette, being territorial, huh?"

"I don’t know. She just cares too much about work."