“Hey Kit,” Bette smiled, hugging her sister as they made their way in.

“The usual?”

“Of course.”

“Go on ahead, I’ll join you in a bit,” Kit shooed her sister toward the direction of their usual table.

Bette headed for the table, unaware of another person following closely behind. She took her seat, not seeing the intruder until they spoke.

“I should be offended you didn’t notice me right away,” a Barbara Grisham dressed in a navy blue, two-piece suit quipped.

“Senator Grisham!” Bette stood abruptly, surprised to see the woman at the Planet. “It’s been a long time. How have you been?”

Chuckling, the former senator ignored Bette’s proffered hand, pulling her in for a hug instead. “I’m better now that I have you so near.”

Unsettled by the forwardness of the woman, Bette broke their embrace quickly. “Would you like to join me?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” Barbara smiled.

“So, how did you find me?” Bette asked after they spent minutes just watching each other.

“Your assistant was kind enough to point me this way.”

“Helpful isn’t he?” the dean of arts was curious at the woman’s appearance at the Planet. “Eager to start the tour already?”

“Let’s just say I look forward to the company more than the art,” there was no mistake in the desire in her voice.

“Senator,” Bette stuttered.

The woman leaned close to her, resting a hand on her arm. “It’s Barbara, remember?”

“Barbara,” the brunette smiled apologetically. “Why are you really here?”

“Honestly? I got tired of the circus in D.C. and I needed to see a friendly face,” Barbara said softly as she sat back in her seat.

“I followed off and on. It’s too bad things ended this way. You did great work there,” Bette peeled her gaze away from the woman next to her to an approaching Kit. “Let me introduce you to my sister. She’s the owner of this place.”

They both stood up when Kit reached the table. “Kit, this is Barbara Grisham. Barbara, this is my sister, Kit Porter.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet with a legend,” Barbara shook Kit’s hand. “I’m a fan of yours.”