Tina waves at the security guard at the studio lot gate—he tips his cap and waves her through.

“Just checking in,” she says, letting her gaze drift over a palette of stacked crates and hanging cables. Around her, crew members in hoodies and tool belts dart between soundstages. “I know you’re still pissed, and you have every right to be. Did Joyce say anything useful?”

Bette lowers into her leather chair. “Not much- She had another client coming in, but we’re meeting in the morning to talk things through…”

Tina parks her car and waves at a passing coworker. “Well, I know it’s easier said than done, but don’t let Michelle ruin your day, baby….”

Bette’s reply has a ghost of a smile in it. “I’ll try. Hearing your voice definitely helps….”

“K…I gotta go…. love you…” Tina says.

“I love you too…. have a good day…” Bette says.

“You too, baby…” Tina says before she ends the call, steps out of her car, and heads inside.

Inside the glass lobby, polished floors reflect her heels. She greets the security monitor, nodding at a bank of screens, then slips onto the elevator and taps the panel to select her floor. The indicators blink, and she leans against the wall. The ride’s quiet hum is broken by her phone’s insistent ringtone. She exhales, glances at the screen, then rolls her eyes before swiping to answer. “Hey, Alice….”

“So, what the hell’s this announcement Shane and Carmen’s making?”

Tina chuckles. “I have no idea….”

Alice sighs. “Well, what else could it be? They’ve already made the biggest announcement of the century when Shane proposed, which is still a mind fuck I mean, can you believe it? Shane getting married was something I never thought I’d see….”

Tina smiles. “Well, being loved properly can make a person do things they never thought they would.”

Alice playfully scoffs. “Don’t you sound all wound up in love…. Bette put in work this morning, huh?”

Tina blushes and shakes her head. “Alice…” She giggles and then gives a coworker a polite nod when they stop on the elevator.

“Hey, you say you were with Bette when Shane called? It’s kinda late…. you’re just getting to work?”

Tina blushes again as she has flashbacks of her riding Bette’s strap. She shakes the images out of her mind. “Uh, you’re breaking up a little. I have to go anyway…. call you later…”