“You have your gift?”

“Mm-hmm.” Bette nodded, beaming at her own cleverness. “I’m gonna give her brownies.”

“Brownies?” Sam repeated, pulling a face. That was probably the farthest thing in her mind. “Why?”

“Why not?” Bette countered stubbornly, edging out of her chair and making her way outside her study room. With a worried expression painted explicitly on her quiet features, her bestfriend followed her.

“Why don’t you give her those fancy Swiss chocolates or candies instead? God knows you can afford them.”

“Everyone gives candies and chocolates during anniversaries.”

“So?”

“I don’t want to be like everyone else.”

Sam sighed, knowing that once Bette made up her mind, it was very difficult to sway her decision. “Does Tina even like brownies?”

“Is that even a question?” Bette looked appalled. “You know Kennard loves everything sweet and fattening.”

“True.” Sam had to agree to that. Turning a corner and heading down a short flight of stairs leading to the kitchen, she stroked her chin in thought and nudged her bestfriend. “Can you imagine what she’d look like in a few years, you know, when her metabolism slows down?” She puffed her cheeks out and waved her hands around her waist, mimicking a bloated whale.

Bette looked at her bestfriend and made a face. “Yeah, fat. Kennard will be pudgy and lumpy and fat.”

“And you don’t mind?”

“No.” Bette shrugged. “I really don’t.” She stressed when she saw the unbelieving look that crossed Sam’s face. “I won’t love her less if that’s what you’re thinking. Actually, I think there’s only gonna be more of her to love. If you know what I mean..” She wiggled her brows. “And besides, there’s always liposuction.” She chuckled.

“Or you could always burn the excess calories with extra sex..” Sam suggested.

“Practical and enjoyable, I like that.” Bette grinned.

“I knew you would.”

Entering the kitchen, Sam went straight for their rack of keys and took out the one for her Jag. She took a coat of hers that was hanging on a nearby chair and put it on. “If we hurry I think we can catch the bakery at Chapel Street before it closes for its lunch break. B, grab a coat and lets g-” She stopped when she glanced behind her and saw that she was alone. “Bette?”