Previously . . .

Do you still love her Tina?

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I continued looking in to Bettes eyes, still lost in the intensity of that kiss we had just shared. My God she was beautiful. There was no other word for it.

Im sorry Bette, did you say something? I Said.

Bette smiled her slow internal organ, melting smile.

Yes. She gulped.

She paused, and we just sat there, still staring into each others eyes for what seemed like an age, but it must have only been a few seconds because, well it was real life, and in real life thats all it could have been.

Yes. She said again. I could sense the hesitation in her voice and saw the flash of indecisiveness in her eyes, and knew whatever it was she was going to ask me, had momentarily been shoved to the back of her mind. Instead she said.

I wondered if you would have dinner with me tonight?

Dinner? I said, struggling with the combination of love and lust I was feeling at that moment, and the confirmation that both of us still felt exactly the same about one another, as we had when we first met.

Bette nodded.

You mean tonight? I asked.

If thats convenient for you, yes.

Tonight. I repeated.

Bette smiled.

Eight?

I nodded.

Shall I pick you up? She asked.

I nodded once again. I didnt particularly want to see the place where she possibly lived with Rachel. In fact I didnt want to think about Rachel at all.

Eight it is then. Bette said.

She smiled at me again, and I wanted to ask her to refrain from doing that to me in public, because it was beginning to make un-reached parts of me throb and tingle.

Thats great T

The conversation continued to flow aimlessly over lunch, Tina filling Bette in on Ellies life history and each catching up on what the other had been up to over the years.

Id better get going T, Ive got loads of work to catch up on. I didnt envisage taking this long. Its been wonderful hearing all about Ellie and its been great seeing you again. Thanks for agreeing to have dinner with me tonight. Are you sure you dont mind? Bette said, rising from her seat and stepping towards Tina.

Thats when I laughed, because of all the things, I might mind, having dinner with this vision of loveliness was never going to be one of them.

Of course I dont mind, Im delighted to be going to dinner with you Bette. I said.

Bette nodded, and I could see she was considering kissing me on the lips again, but luckily she changed her mind and gave me a peck on the cheek. I wasnt sure if Id been able to control myself if she had. She gave me a small wave as she disappeared out of the door of the Planet.

I sat there for a while looking after her. Then, shaking myself back to my senses, I remembered where I was and realised Id better get going myself.



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The rest of the day dragged like crazy and I could not keep my mind on my job. It was mostly focused on Tina Kennard, or in my wardrobe, frantically searching for something to wear, on my date with her, if indeed this was a date. So I rang Alice.

This absolutely gorgeous woman has agreed to go out to dinner with me tonight, and I havent a clue what to wear. I blurted out excitedly, as soon as Alice answered the phone.

Jesus, Bette. I could have been interviewing an important client you know.

Yeah, but youre not. Did you hear what I said, Alice?

Yeah, yeah. I heard you. Who is it this time? Alice answered nonchalantly.

Tina Kennard. I held my breath waiting for her reaction. But had to let it out after about a minutes silence on the other end of the line.

Alice?

Did you say Tina Kennard? Our Tina Kennard? Alice eventually managed to say.

The one and only. I replied enthusiastically.

***** Bette. How did you manage that? I thought she refused to meet you the other day? And what about Helena? Whats she going to say about you taking Tina out for dinner?

I chuckled at Alices inquisitive questioning.

Calm down Alice, we had lunch today, and we sorted a lot of stuff out. Tina has agreed to let me be part of Ellies life. In fact she was the one who called me, and suggested it. As, for Helena? Well we never even talked about her, she never entered the conversation. I said. Which made me start thinking, why had Tina accepted a dinner date with me, if she was still in love with Helena? And I did see it in her eyes just how much she felt for me, Jesus. I could feel how much she still felt for me, that I knew for sure, but how she felt for Helena I didnt know?

Thats really fantastic Bette. Im happy for you, just dont ***** up this time Porter. Alice stated.

Alice, how can I ***** up, Its just dinner between two friends. I said, although my heart knew that wasnt exactly true.

Whatever Porter, but you and I both know, where Tina is concerned you and her could never be just friends.

Oh really? I said indignantly.

Yes really. She berated me sternly.

So where are you going? Alice said.

Alfredos. I replied.

Alice. I pleaded with her. Every single hormone in my body goes in to overdrive when Im beside her, what am I going to do?

I knew it Porter. Wear a polo neck and a pair of jeans with a stiff button. She laughed.

Its Godamn August, Alice, Ill sweat to death.

I know that Bette, Im just thinking about your honour and integrity here. She replied sarcastically.

***** that. I said laughing. If you saw her lately Alice, youre honour and integrity wouldnt be the uppermost most on your mind, believe me.


Bette, hold on a second . . .

I sat back in my chair and looked up at the ceiling while Alice carried on talking to someone in her office. What in the name of God was I going to wear? I wondered if I would have the time to go out and buy a new outfit?

Bette?

Yes Alice?

I gotta go. Listen call me first thing in the morning and let me know how everything went.

She was gone, and I was still no closer to solving my problem. Maybe she was right? It would be safer if I went with the polo and jeans.

Even after I solved my clothes problem. Id decided on the brown leather skirt, my black form fitting T- shirt and black, high heeled boots. I still found it hard to concentrate on work. In spite of the fact that Id sold two water colours and secured three offers on an exotic print by Rory Philips in excess of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, fifty thousand over the asking price.

As I drove back to my apartment, I warned myself not to panic over the Rory Philips painting, if I held my nerve, I could make a terrific profit, and it would be the trophy sale of the year for me.

I also warned myself not to come on too strong to Tina. I didnt want to ruin things this early on, and if there was a chance that we could get back together after all this time, then I needed to take things slow.

But the thought of making love to Tina sent a shiver of pleasure through my body, and I grinned in anticipation at the night ahead.

I would be sophisticated and cool though. I would let Tina set the pace. No matter how long she took.

The trouble was, could I last that long?




TBC>>>>>>