“Well why isn’t she with you still?...Oh.  Well I guess that’s good... I’d love to meet her actually.  No I can get Al to set it up…No” Bette laughed. “I won’t hold their friendship against her.”

Bette hung up the phone and looked to the expectant faces of her lunch mates and smiled.  “Ok, give her a call.”

“Yes.’  Al exclaimed. 

Bette looked at her curiously.   “Why do you want this so badly?”  Bette asked. 

“Because, if she gets a job with you, she’ll stay in Miami.  Otherwise she might go back to Texas.”

“Ah a southern belle?”

“Yes but don’t make the mistake of thinking she’s a pushover.  That would not be wise.”  Dana advised and Al nodded.

“Ok lets get to it so I can eat and get my butt thrashed on the court again.  Can you see if she can meet on Friday?”

“Do you want Jody to meet her?”  Dana asked cautiously having trouble even saying his name without keeping the sneer out of her voice.

Bette looked down in consideration.  She had habitually put everything through him but for some reason, wanted to meet Tina on her own.

“No.  I’ll meet her.  Jody doesn’t need to.”  She stated with conviction.

“Ok.”  Dana answered.  Al was already holding the mobile to her ear.  "TK. How’s it going?  Yeah, I know I can hear her.  Say hi for me…No I’m actually calling for a reason other than to see if you’ll go out tonight…You know Bette Portera?  Yes, number 3.  She’s looking for a personal assistant, her’s left to go back to school…no you’ll love her…does Friday work?…morning?.

“The club?”  Al asked Bette.

“No, actually can you ask her to meet me at my house?  11am?”

“No, Tina, she’s on Fisher Island.  Just take the ferry and then to 3 Magnolia Street.  Ok, I’ll see you Saturday night”

The friends spent the rest of the lunch gossiping about the industry and who was playing how well.  Bette spent her afternoon like she spent her morning – unable to deliver the kind of game that would ensure her ranking.