“Well, don’t let her ruin your day…. go get some comfort and loving from that woman of yours…”

Bette laughs, glancing toward the door. “I’m counting down the minutes.” She steps forward and threads her arm through Joy’s. “Come on, I’ll walk you out.”

Joy nods, lips curved in a small smile. “Perfect. We can nail down the details on the way.”

Bette pushes the door open, sunlight flooding in. Joy moves first, and Bette follows close behind, the hum of the office fading as they step into the corridor….

***

Later, after her meeting, Tina rounds the corner toward her office, cradling an iced coffee in one hand as she scrolls through her phone.

“Ms. Bossy!” Dena’s voice chirps from behind her.

Tina startles, nearly tipping her drink.

Dena leaps from her desk, sneakers scuffing the tile floor. She comes to an abrupt halt in front of Tina, cheeks flushed. “Hi…” she says, forcing a smile.

Tina exhales slowly. “Hello. Did you need something?”

Dena fiddles with the hem of her blouse. “Yes—first of all,” she points at Tina, “do you think you’ll be needing your girl tomorrow?”

Tina narrows her eyes, studying Dena’s hopeful expression for a moment. “I can’t imagine I would.”

Dena presses on. “You sure?”

“Absolutely,” Tina replies, tapping a reminder into her phone. “My secretary’s back first thing.”

Dena’s shoulders slump. “Bummer…” Then she brightens, pivoting on one foot. “Anyway, someone’s in your office.”

Tina arches an eyebrow. “Who? And how did they get in there?”

“They just walked in. Said they know you.”

Tina exhales, turns on her heel, and strides for the closed door. Before she reaches it, Dena calls out, “Oh—would you mind if I take my second lunch?”

“Be my guest,” Tina says with a sarcastic tone, then slips inside her office and clicks the door shut. She peeks around the corner to find Dana perched in her swivel chair, flipping a pen between her fingers.

“Dane?” Tina asks, amusement dancing in her eyes.

Dana waves, the chair creaking beneath her. “Hey, Tina.”

Tina sets her coffee on a coaster next to her laptop and smooths a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Ya know? When I gave you people free passes to get on the lot…I was kinda expecting heads up phone calls….”