“I hope it works out for both of you,” Shane offered.

Bette nodded, looking away in contemplation. Things already were complicated enough when she had shared Sunday with Tina and Angelica, yet the waters turned murkier when the senator was thrown into the mix.

She turned to regard her friend, trying to formulate her thoughts. “Everything’s so fucked up. I don’t know what to fix first.”

“But you took the first step.”

“I’m beginning to think it’s too soon,” Bette said slowly. “We’re still too emotional.”

“Don’t put it off, Bette. Don’t let it sit until there’s too many things left unsaid,” Shane urged.

She rubbed her neck absentmindedly with her left hand, mulling her friend’s words. She knew Shane was right, yet she still was hesitant. “It’s too late to cancel, anyway. We owe it to ourselves to do this.”

“I better go. Call me if you need anything,” Shane sensed the conversation was over.

The brunette headed for the kitchen after Shane had left. With a recipe in hand, Bette began to make the tiramisu. Gathering the finished product, Bette placed it in the fridge.

Satisfied with her work, she cleaned up the mess in her kitchen and got ready for bed. Wednesday would come soon enough and she needed all her energy.

By the time Bette made it into her office the next morning, her anxiety level had crept up exponentially. She spent the day on autopilot, grateful she had the sense to clear her schedule. Two hours after lunch and she had managed to snap at James four times.

“James, I’m leaving. Forward only important calls to my cell phone,” Bette instructed the man as she gathered her things.

“Will do, Bette,” he stayed in his seat. After working together so many years, he knew the only thing that could rattle Bette so deeply was Tina. He frowned at the thought; his reluctance of Tina was a puzzle.

As Bette made her way to her car, an insistent buzz from within her bag indicated she had an incoming call.

“Bette Porter.”

“The mayor’s wife wanted me to thank you for attending the dinner the other night,” an amused Barbara Grisham began as way of greeting. “She said it was the highlight of the night. I happen to agree with her.”