Her intercom buzzed.  “Bette Porter on line one.  Shall I take a message or do you want to take her call?”  Marie, her administrative assistant asked.

            “I’ll take the call, thanks, Marie.”  She smiled and pressed line one.  “Good Morning Ms. Porter.”

           “Good Morning, Ms. Montclair.”  Bette responded.

“Call me Rosanna, I was just teasing Bette.”

“ Rosanna.  I want to thank you for your very generous donation to California University, especially the School of Art.”  Bette stated in a formal tone.

“It is my pleasure, as I said last night.”

“So would you be open to lunch some time this week, so that I can thank you in person.”

“No.”

“No?”

“You already thanked me.  One obligatory meal was all I asked.”

“What about a non-obligatory meal?”

“I would enjoy that very much.”

“Thursday?  There is a great Thai place in West Hollywood that I think you might like.”  They arranged to meet at the restaurant at one on Thursday.

“Tina on line one.”  James’ voice broke her out of her reverie.  A call from Tina, immediately caused her pulse to begin to race as her mind flew to their daughter.

“Hi, Tina is everything ok with Angie.”  Bette asked.

“Angelica is fine.  I need to talk to you about something in person.  Can we meet for lunch? “

“Uh, sure.  Is it about Angelica?”

“No.  It’s just a conversation I need to have with you in person.”

Tina waited in front of the restaurant for Bette.  As usual she was early and expected Bette to be late.  A smile crossed her face as she saw the familiar blue Saab park across the street.  The smile grew as the brunette emerged and tackled the traffic like she did every other obstacle in her life.  A slender hand held up and like magic traffic stopped as she sprinted across the road to her. 

They hugged briefly, casually in the way of friends, yet in that moment the familiar scent of Bette mixed with the brunette’s perfume assailed her senses causing her heart rate to elevate slightly. She wondered if she would always have that reaction whenever she held Bette.  It was part of the reason that she had avoided physical contact with Bette for months before they split.  She knew that if she allowed that physical connection she would be lost again in sensations that she was powerless to control. 

Bette’s touch in any form cracked her resolve so she avoided it at any cost.  She remembered the basketball game where Bette guarded her, fouled her at every turn, her touch burning her skin sending messages to her core, making her wet and unfocused.  There ought to be a law against Bette Porter she thought not for the first time and certainly not for the last. 

“Thanks for meeting me…

The lunch was awkward.  Tina tried to stay focused on Kit and the need for her to be informed that Angus was cheating on her.  Bette true to form was resistant at first insisting that Tina was mistaken.  Once she was convinced that Tina was correct she attempted to make the decision hers to make. They wound up fighting which was all they seemed to do well together these days. 

Tina was left breathless and yearning when their lunch was over.  Gone was the Bette who could be reduced to tears and silenced by a well-chosen barb.  Alpha Bette was back and she was hotter than ever.