I approached Bette’s front door, knocking while putting out my cigarette butt. Bette opened the door and ushered me in and straight to the back deck, handing me a margarita as we past the kitchen. We went out back, sat down and chatted about our days. I started telling her about my afternoon, how I drove up to the Hollywood sign and enjoyed the view. A knock came from the front door, and Bette stood up excitedly. She mumbled something about being right back, and rushed to the door. I just lit a cigarette. A few minutes later, Bette and a blond woman came out back. She was stunning to look at. From the look on Bette’s face, and the awkward but wanting vibe between them, this had to be the new girlfriend. Well, sort of new. They had been seeing each other for a few months now. I set my drink down on the deck next to the chair and exhaled the smoke in my lungs, then stood up.

“Shane, this is Tina. Tina, this is a friend of mine, Shane.” We shook hands, and suddenly I felt a bit like the third wheel. I remember wishing that Bette had told me I would be interrupting a date.

“Uh… thanks for the drink, I think I’m gonna leave you two alone. I’ll talk—“

Bette grabbed my arm, and again I had to fight the urge to flinch. Tina made a face, she noticed. “No, no, Shane, please stay. I just thought it would be nice for you to start meeting more people in the area.”

Tina nodded, “Yes, please stay. Bette has told me about you, I was looking forward to getting to know you.”

This threw me for a loop. Getting to know me? What the fuck had Bette told her about me? What did she know about me to tell anyone? Why would anyone want to know about me anyways? But the looks on their faces seemed sincere enough.

“Um, OK I guess.”