“No, no, ugh, no…” Alice muttered as she pushed hangers aside one by one. Giving Bette a sidelong glance, she asked “Don’t you have any cute clothes? Anything fun?”

“What’s there is there,” Bette said wearily.

Alice fished out a casual dress Bette hadn’t worn in years and shook it out examining it on the hanger. “This’ll do. Wear your hair down. Not too much makeup.”

Bette smiled in spite of herself, forgetting her annoyance at Alice coming over uninvited. It was more fun this way.

“Alright, go get dressed and fix your hair, and I’ll go help Kit.”

Alice closed the door behind her and Bette stood and scrutinized herself in the mirror, then frowned slightly. What’s wrong with my hair?

***

A while later, Bette made her way back out to the kitchen, shower fresh, primped, made-up and dressed, feeling a little guilty for taking so long. She noticed upon entering the kitchen that Alice was sitting comfortably at the table, playing with her phone while Kit did all of the work. Kit didn’t seem to mind, though. She was loading up the dishwasher and putting things away.

“There you are, finally,” Alice said, giving Bette an appreciative glance. “You’re looking good, Porter.”

Kit looked over at Bette with a grin. “Everything is ready. The chicken needs another 20 minutes or so in the oven, the salad is finished and sitting in the fridge, the dressing I made is right next to it, the wine is in the freezer, the rice is keeping warm on the stove top, and it should be another 10 minutes before your date arrives,” Kit paused and took a breath. “So, that’s it. You look fantastic, by the way. We’re gonna get out of your hair now. Come on, Alice, let’s go.”

Alice snickered. “I’m not going anywhere. I want to see this ‘Tina’ that Bette has kept so well-hidden from us.”

“Alice,” Kit was using her warning voice.

“Like you’re not curious yourself,” Alice said, rolling her eyes. “Why is it such a big deal?”

“It would be awkward, Alice, that’s why,” Bette said. “I’ll try to bring her around The Planet sometime… You’ll meet her soon enough. I appreciate both of you helping me.” Bette walked over and gave Kit a hug and Alice a little squeeze on the shoulder. “Really, I do. I promise I’ll call you tomorrow and tell you everything, Al. Okay? Now if you’ll please –”