so thats basically what Ive been up towhat about you?

Work is going good. The Miramax project that I did a while back paid off ten fold and weve…well I mean Ive been getting assignments left and right but Ive been turning some of them down

Why? I thought you were so excited and that the Miramax project was your big chance

It wasI mean it isits just that some of the projects require me traveling all over the world and I like being in LAgood sightsgood peopleits homeya know?

Bette listened to Tinas last sentence carefully and dissected each syllable as if it were a life or death situation. Bette knew Tina well enough to know how to read between her lines and right now all signals told Bette that Tina was staying in LA not because of something but rather someone. She had to know who.

YeahI do miss itbut the girls are all busy and the city is so crowded sometimeswouldnt it be nice to get away?

Like move to New York?

Tina grinned at Bette and Bette just nodded her head at Tinas remark. It was Tinas way of changing the subject without actually notifying you she was doing so and if Bette was going to be in control of this situation and find out what she wanted to know she had to get the conversation back on LA.

Exactlybut we both know that it was more than just work that brought me out here. I mean I love art and New York is certainly the Mecca of the USA.

Yeahand I love the industry hence Hollywood. Kind of weird huh? Its our passions and love that pulled us into two completely different places

Yeah

Neither woman knew how this conversation got so deep all of a sudden and neither one was comfortable with it. This was supposed to be a lighthearted dinner and Tina was determined to keep it that way. She glanced down at her plate that was now empty and jumped up. She grabbed Bettes hand and pulled her to her feet.

Haha what are you doing?

Dance with me Bette

Bette didnt say anything as she cautiously put her arms around Tina and swayed to the rhythm of their bodies. Down on the street below there was a sidewalk band playing some jazz and while it wasnt quite their first choice in music it seemed to fit perfectly. They shared a dance for a couple of minutes just enjoying one anothers company both staring off into the distance looking at two completely different settings. To the east Tina saw the ocean, a metaphor of possibility stretching farther than the eye can see; and to the west Bette saw the city, a reminder of what broke them the first time. Both women wanted to say a million things but only silence prevailed. As they swayed in time to the barely audible music a slight breeze picked up and Tina leaned into Bette closer almost unconsciously warming her body with Bettes. Bette didnt say anything as she held Tina closer and for a second she stopped dancing altogether to smell Tinas hair and sigh with contentedness. Tina could feel Bette leaning into her and she thought now was as good as time as any.

Bette?

Yeah?

I have something to tell you