She attempted a return to her speech, ‘Tina -’

Nothing.

‘Tina…’ Then she started humming.  Words followed, ‘Every breath you take…every move you make…’

Okay those were not her words.  She now resorted to stealing from Police apparently.

‘Tina, I think I could fall in love with you…’

Definitely too early for that!

She laughed mirthlessly – maybe call Eric for advice?

‘I know she broke up with you to see if we could work but I was wondering if you had any tips on how best to break a date with Tina?’

That was easy.

Now for the real thing.  Bette cleared her throat.

‘Tina,’ she spoke slowly, ‘I hate to do this but I have to be in New York for an exhibit so we’ll have to reschedule.  I’m so sorry – I was looking forward to seeing you so much.’   

She smiled at her delivery.  It certainly wasn’t unique but sincere, factual yet sweet.

‘Tina,’ she tried again, ‘I’m so sorry and I really hate that we have to reschedule but there’s something in New York on Thursday.  I tried to get out of it but…’

Still pedestrian but there was action taken at the end.  Yes, she nodded that sounds much better and met all criteria on her checklist for this particular situation.

“Therese would you come in for a minute?” Bette called her assistant.

She waited but her petite companion did not come.  The brunette stood to stretch her frame.  Bette lifted her handset to ring Therese when the missing assistant appeared at her doorway.

“There you are.”

“Sorry Bette, there was a delivery.”

The smaller woman clutched some journals, sorted mail and a floral arrangement which left the gallery owner slightly puzzled.   

“What’s this…?”

“Delivery,” Therese repeated with little inflection.  She laid it on the desk away from any documents and handed her the card.

“Did you need me for something?”

“I’ll need a little help from Dan it seems…” Bette started then stopped.  Her favorite florist could wait as she wondered what the flowers she received were about.  She opened the small envelope that accompanied the arrangement and glanced at her assistant for a clue.

Bette turned the card over and couldn’t help but smile.  It seemed she wasn’t the only word thief today.

‘Dear Bette’ it began, ‘I was so looking forward to dinner but am afraid we’ll have to do it another time.   Call me okay?  Hope you know how much I hate having to reschedule. Tina.’

Her mouth was still upturned as the younger woman discretely shifted from one foot to another. 

“I’m good for now actually. Thanks Therese.”  

She mumbled, “Sure – no problem.”

Bette picked up the phone and dialed quickly without looking at the keypad and was happy to hear the voice that answered after the second ring.  It was comforting that Tina knew exactly who was calling.

“Bette I’m so sorry…” she started immediately.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“I hate this.”

“I know exactly what you mean.”

Pause.  They listened to each other though neither woman spoke.

“I’m back on Sunday.”

“Sunday works for me.”

“It would have been Saturday but there’s a premier at the Ziegfeld Theater that I need to show up for.”

Pause.

“As in New York Ziegfeld?”

“Yeah actually – that’s why I have no choice…”

Pause.  One woman smiled as the other nerviously bit her lip unknowingly.  Their calendars were going to be a challenge but apparently once in a while luck would be on their side.

“Tina,” Bette spoke slowly just like she rehearsed, “Thank you for the flowers but you’ll never believe this…”  

The brunette told her soon to be date how fate was their friend.  For now Bette held back the rest of what she practiced earlier but promised herself there would be a time when she would be able to say everything she wanted.

How much she liked Tina.  How much there seemed to be between them.  How much she wanted to turn the page and see what was next. 

For that, she didn’t need Therese or Dan.  Just the woman who was on the line with her right then.

–