She stared at the phone long after she ended the call. Trying not to let her annoyance get to her, Bette went about her day on autopilot. While she busied herself with paperwork, she would spy her cell phone to make sure she had not missed a call.

Finally, at quarter past 1, Bette decided lunch at the Planet would help improve her mood. She gathered the papers and returned them back to her briefcase, switching off her computer in the process.

By the time she had found a parking spot, Bette’s annoyance had doubled. She quickly placed an order, sighing in relief when she saw Kit approach her.

“God, the world is going to hell in a hand basket today,” Bette groaned after she hugged her sister in greeting.

“I just know some people have it worse, like your friend from other day,” Kit commented offhandedly.

“Friend?” her forehead creased with confusion.

“Barbara Grisham?” Kit reminded her sister. “She’s in the tabloids.”

“Oh.”

“Hold on, let me show you.”

Bette watched as Kit disappeared behind the counter before returning with a magazine in hand. Her eyes were drawn to the headline directly below the publication’s logo. Without thinking, she had flipped to the aforementioned story.

Kit waited until Bette had finished reading before saying anything. “See? Those tabloids would do anything to sell. What business do they have if they’re together?”

Without tearing her gaze from the photo on the page, Bette mumbled, “They’re not.”

“What did you say, Bette?”

“Nothing,” Bette recovered quickly. “Those tabloids sure can write a whole lot with nothing.”

She took the plate from her waitress, setting it in front of Bette before waving her off. “I can go if you like.”

“Stay,” Bette offered a small smile in return. Now that she knew the reason Barbara had not called, she felt the seeds of doubt vanishing into thin air. “We can catch up while I eat.”

Kit nodded, staying silent while her sister ate. She was curious to find out about the status of Bette’s relationship with Tina.

“Are you and Tina back together?”

Bette stopped in mid-chew and stared at Kit. She blinked slowly, swallowing her food before she answered. “No.”

“That’s not the impression I got yesterday.”