“I was sure it was you!” Rachel exclaimed, as she drew Bette into a warm hug. She smiled at the guard as they drew apart, then said, “It’s alright she’s with me. Ummm… well she’s with Tina, actually, but…” they all laughed at Rachel’s confused phrases.

The guard tipped his cap slightly at them as Bette and Rachel started walking towards an open warehouse door.

“This is a fabulous suit!” Rachel exclaimed, stepping back to eye Bette from head to toe. “Bermuda shorts … who knew? But, a genius outfit for a day like this. And perfect for the summer weather!”

She fingered the material of Bette’s suit jacket. “I love this raw silk material … plus the pearl grey color is sooo classy. And that cat’s eye brooch absolutely seals the look. Cartier, right? You look like a million dollars, Bette.”

Bette smiled at the younger woman’s enthusiastic chatter. Rachel had always been observant of what she’d worn whenever they’d seen each other, right from the start when they’d met in San Francisco, and Tina had invited the young producer to join them for dinner.

“Had a business meeting this morning down by Stone Street,” Bette said, shrugging. “While I had to dress the part, I just didn’t feel like wearing a power suit today.”

Rachel snorted, “I bet you all the summer interns or other financial execs that saw you down in the financial district will be running to the shops later today to look for this kind of suit. It oozes sexiness, nonchalance, and joie de vivre … or at least the way you wear it!”

Bette laughed, shaking her head. “Well … I like your look these days, too, Rachel. That light red shade suits you.”

Rachel pretended to pose as she fluffed her hair lightly, “Just an experiment I did with my hairdresser last week. Do you really like me in this?”

Bette smiled, and nodded her head. Just as Rachel was about to respond, her phone rang. She looked quickly at it, and then motioned to Bette that she had to take the call. Bette signaled that she’d sit in one of the nearby “director” chairs, arranged behind a screen, off to one side of the warehouse entrance.

Rachel mouthed that she would return as soon as she was done with the call, then walked away, thumbing over the glass screen of the tablet that she held with her other hand.