“Nice to meet you, too,” Kit offered politely. “Bette, Angus is bringing my Boo over in a short while.”

“Really?”

Barbara watched with amusement as Bette’s eyes twinkled with joy. She was intrigued to see the passionate Bette Porter in a more personal setting.

“I’ll leave you two to your meal,” Kit excused herself as the meals were delivered. “It was nice to meet you, Barbara. Do come back sometime.”

“Likewise,” the former senator returned the sentiment. “I hope we get to see each other more often from now on.”

Bette schooled her expression, not wanting to show her surprise. She smiled nervously, taking a sip of her water. They ate their meal in silence, Bette well aware of Barbara tracking her every move.

The crowd watched with fascination as the former senator reached over to wipe the corner of Bette’s mouth. A collective gasp was heard when the famous Bette Porter smile appeared.

“Thanks,” Bette said simply, the smile still plastered on her face.

“The pleasure was all mine,” she winked at the younger Porter. “This place is a real delight. And I’m not saying that just because it belongs to your sister.”

“Somehow, I don’t see you as the type who will say something just to please people.”

“Early in my political career, yes. But I kept beating the boys at their game; then it was no fun anymore.”

The brunette chuckled, raising her glass in salute. “Yeah, I know what you mean.”

“Bette,” Barbara began to speak, a little surprised when they were interrupted by a newcomer.

“Jenny,” Bette clamped down her annoyance. Today was not one of the days to eat in peace.

“Bette,” Jenny smiled tightly. “Hi, I’m Jenny Schecter.”

“Barbara Grisham. It’s nice to meet you.”

“I’ll leave you two alone,” Jenny waved nonchalantly. “Thought I’d come over and say hi.”

“See you,” Bette said without missing a beat.

“Aren’t we Miss Popular around here?” Barbara teased as she sat back in her seat.

Unsure of what to say, Bette shrugged. “I’ve spent so much time here it’s my second home.”

“Don’t think the masses don’t appreciate it.”

Bette shook her head. The former senator was anything but subtle. “You never give up, do you?”

“Even after all these years, you’ve stayed on my mind,” Barbara purred.

“Barbara, I’m…”

“Single, last I checked,” the woman cut in.

“Then you should also know I’m a single mom,” Bette added. “Not hot commodity.”

“On the contrary,” she smiled.

Just as Bette was about to respond, the sight of Angus and her daughter caught her eye. Excusing herself, she waved Angus over, greeting the duo with a wide smile.

“Hiya Boo,” Bette leaned down to kiss her daughter.

“Hey, I’m gonna go look for Kit. Be right back,” Angus told her before taking off.

“OK.” Bette squatted, cooing at Angelica as the little girl happily recounted her day in baby talk.

“And who is this baby heartbreaker?” Barbara asked, unwilling to stay on the sidelines.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to ignore you like that,” Bette grinned sheepishly, knowing she was too caught up with Angelica. “Barbara, this is Angelica, my daughter.”

Former two-term senator Barbara Grisham, seasoned politician and regular newsmaker, felt her heart skip a beat when she saw Bette flash a smile meant for the little girl. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought the brunette had given birth to Angelica.

She leaned down next to Bette, using her shoulder as support. “Hi there.”

“Hi,” Angelica replied happily, her eyes fixed on the strange woman.

“Bette,” she slid her hand down to the brunette’s waist, squeezing to get her attention. “I’m going to go. I’ll see you in a bit.”

“What?” Bette turned to regard the woman, not realizing how close their faces were. “You’re leaving already?”

Barbara offered her a tight smile, moving her hand every so slowly. “I actually do have an appointment before yours.”

“Of course, I’m sorry,” Bette kicked herself for assuming. “I’ll see you in my office, then.”

“I can’t wait,” Barbara smirked, leaning in to steal a quick kiss on the cheek. “Bye, Angelica.”

“Bye,” the little girl raised her hand and waved, much to the amusement of her mother.