I wasnt sure what I was thinking accepting Alices dare that night. I must have been out of my god damn mind. I didnt want to play around with anyone. I just got out of a three months relationship with Alice and didnt feel like dating. At that time, my gallery was my priority. Nothing else comes between me and my gallery, my precious baby.

Alice has been harassing me about not dating anybody after we broke up. Dont get me wrong she wasnt a jealous ex. Alice and I are, well, were best friends. It occurred to us that in the three months we were together we werent compatible with each other. We kept arguing more as a couple than we were as friends. Both our jobs demand so much time and that also restrained us from our time together. It was just too much for the both of us that we actually called it quits.

Since the break up, I stayed mostly at my gallery until late trying to get this new show from emerging artists started. It definitely has taken so much of my time that I havent been able to go to clubs and hang out with the girls. My girls. Thats Dana, Alice, Marina and Shane as the latest addition. Ive been friends with Alice since I moved to LA. She was the one who showed me around and got me a good deal on my apartment. Dana is Alices friend whom she got to know during one of her interviews for her Top Ten articles and now have gotten close. She was an amateur tennis player at the local country club. Marina is also a friend of Alice. She used to work at the local launderette and somehow moved to waitressing at Starbucks Coffee. Somehow I knew she could do better. But thats another story.

Shane Shane is the latest addition to us girls. I mean the latest before Tina and I started dating. She was this troubled kid Alice took under her care. She has been living on the street and somehow Alice got her a job just as long as she stopped doing drugs. I guess she just needed someone to take care of her cos she has been clean ever since.

One night the girls came over to the gallery with takeaways at our favourite Italian restaurant. They complained how much they missed me and wondered if it was weird for Alice and me to hang out anymore. Alice and I kept reassuring them that were ok. Just that I had so much work to do. By then none of us were in relationships and I believe then that I couldnt do relationships. I just am not the one who gets tied down so easily. But with Alice it was different. We were just trying it out and truth be told we definitely werent ready for commitment.

Shane: So Bette when is this show starting?

Bette: Should be on by next weekend. Thats the opening night and you guys are most welcomed.

Alice: So does that mean we wont see u again for another week?!?!

Bette: Well, Ill still see you guys for lunch.

Alice: Hmmm do you want me to write an article on the show?

Bette: Yeah that would be nice.

Alice has always helped out with every opening show that Ive done. And it really has paid off well. Most of the paintings would be gone by the end of the first opening week.

Alice: I could write, ***** Gallery Owner in search of a ***** Lover!!! as the heading. Hows that?

Everyone laughed at me.

Marina: Oh come on guys. Its not like Bette has difficulties in getting laid!!! In fact shes second to Shane!

Dana: Oh really? What about us?

Alice: Yeah what about me?

Bette: Oh come on you guys. Do we have to talk about this again? I told you I will when this show is on the road.

Alice: Well youve been missing so many. You know the girls at Riff look for you every night.

Bette: They do now dont they?

Dana: Well one good thing did come out of you not showing up.

Marina: Whats that Dana?

Dana: I get the girls this time. Usually theyre just looking for you guys and not me. But now that Bette never goes, well you know

Bette: Oh come one now! Youre pulling yourself down too hard. Im sure thats not true.

Alice: Yeah Dane. You just have to work on your confidence. Youre just TOO SHY!

Dana: I am not. Hmm I am arent I?

Shane: Well you gotta work your way you know. Say the right things and PLEASE DONT BE SHY!!!

Dana: I suppose youre the master of all knowingness?

Shane: Well take it from Bette. Shes confident and she gets the ladies all the time.

Alice: She does?

I couldnt help but laugh at Alice. After the break up she has always been trying to get girls but to no avail. The only one she did do was Gabby. And that didnt even count; everyone knows what Gabbys like.

Alice: Oh what now Porter? You really think you can get any girl you want?

Bette: Well if everyone thinks so then it must be true. Then yeah I think so

Alice: Oh youre just so full of yourself Bette! Well see. After this show ends, well choose the girl and you will prove to us right then and there that you really can work your charm on any woman!!

Bette: You choose?!?!?! What if I dont fancy her?

Alice: Has that ever stopped you before?

Now everyone was laughing. I feel the heat rising. I couldnt let Alice win. Ive always win in everything. I never lose. And I didnt want to start now.

Bette: Okay fine. You choose and Ill do! Its a deal.

So that was how the dare started. And oh what a dare that was. It was the most fateful day of my life. On the night of the opening, thats where I first met her, that beautiful smile. Her eyes widen and narrowed with every painting she looked at.

I told Alice if she should be the one, could be one of my conquests. To prove that I can take any girl I want.

Alice: Which one is she?

Bette: Right there over there. She was standing by the Catherine Opie’s piece a few minutes ago. Yeah thats her.

Alice: What? That woman? You know, Im the one supposed to choose a girl for you not you!

Bette: Fine!

I was so annoyed. But I couldnt care what she said. I wanted to get to know her and damn now what? I turned around and found Catherine talking to Alice.

Catherine: Yes, this piece is my latest creation.

Alice: Very beautiful, you captured the emotion so well.

Catherine: Thank you Alice. And thank you Miss Porter for doing this.

Bette: Oh no, thank YOU.

Man: Excuse me Bette!

The voice was familiar so I turned around and found that it was my regular; Eric, a handsome wealthy art collector and what caught my eyes more was the person standing next to him.

He was saying all these things and all I could hear was him mentioning the womans name, Tina.

After that it all went blank. Next thing I knew Alice was telling me that she changed her mind about the woman I saw earlier.

Alice: You know what? I think you should go for it. For the girl I mean. I wonder if you stand a chance Porter. She is STRAIGHT! This is gonna be sooooooo good!

I couldnt believe my ears and my eyes! Tina that was her name and she was straight. I couldnt believe it. I couldve sworn she was *****.

Alice: So Porter, do you accept my challenge?

I could never say no to any challenge! Im a Porter, we dont give up and we never say NO nor get NO in return.

Bette: Youre on Al!!!

I really didnt know what the ***** I was doing and how the ***** I was going to win! This would be my greatest conquest yet!