“It won’t be as fun with him,” he answered, pretending to pout, and then patted her hand lightly to signal he would quit cajoling her to join them to get the boat.

Bette checked her watch. Wow, it was nearly 10:00! She hoped Tina was still in the Tribeca set, like the blonde said she’d be that morning as they both rushed out the door for their respective early-morning meetings. Bette had thought of surprising Tina on the set once she and Mark were done. Then she and Tina could walk to Liz’ clinic together.

They could take their time walking through Tribeca. They both liked the neighborhood, and had considered getting one of the lofts once one became available in one of the streets that they especially liked.

“Think she’ll still be there?” Mark asked.

“Hope so.”

“Do you want me to send the car back to you, just in case? He can take you to wherever you want to go after he drops me off.”

She’d told Mark that she’d planned on surprising Tina on set.

Bette shook her head, and answered, “That’s ok, Mark. I just have one other appointment today.”

The car pulled over to the side so that Bette could hop out. “But thanks for asking,” she said, and then leaned over to give Mark a quick peck on the cheek as she pulled on the door handle.

“Hmmm… okay,” Mark said, doubtfully. “Just let me know if you need a ride, though.”

Bette nodded after hopping out, and waved at him, before pushing the door shut.

She was still smiling as she quickly walked a block to Pat LaFrieda Lane, which had been blocked off that day for the shoot. She gave her name to the security guard who came up to her. She rarely visited Tina’s sets, but she knew the blonde had a standing policy to have Bette’s name in the list of guests allowed into the set whenever Film Features had a shoot in the New York area.

She and the guard were both looking through the names listed on the papers clipped to the guard’s clipboard when they heard a cry of surprise, and Bette’s name called out.

“Bette!” Rachel Prentice cried out again, waving at her as she quick-walked to where Bette and the guard were standing.