Bette Porter, manager director of the CAC in LA, California Alice read, her tone bored.

Will this be in a cars magazine? Alice asked, looking up from the magazine to meet Bettes stare.

No, why? asked Bette, frowning.

Boring, this is boringwho the ***** wrote this? Alice asked, shaking her head.

I dont knowa guy from the agency, cant remember his name

Bette said, searching for the Pilot in her purse.

Wellwhat happened with the pictures? Who took them? Alice asked, looking inside the vanilla envelope.

No one, they are sending someone tomorrow afternoon answered Bette, looking through the palm.

Ok, who will do it? Asked Alice again, her professional self all over the place.

T. Kennard I think its the name whispered Bette, looking at Alice.

Really? (Alice seemed pleased) Cool, thats much bettershe is one of the best photographers around Alice proudly said, winking at the cute waitress, waving for a coffee.

Really?, why dont I know about her, then? Asked Bette, her tone harsher than she intended.

Porter, you dont always know what is aroundand besides, shes been out of the country for the last couple of years nonchalantly answered Alice, mischievously smiling at the waitress.

And you know this because? Bette asked, her body in full flirting mode as a beautiful brunette was walking inside the Planet.

I was trying to get her for an interview last month, when we did that piece about the ten best new talents around Alices words following Bettes eyes, glued to the tall brunettes back.

And who is that? Added Alice, leaning closer, her words curious, jealous

who? Nonchalantly asked Bette looking around.

I dont know, maybe the chick you just undressed with your eyes? Alice said, taking a sip of her coffee.

Turning to look at Alice, Bette noticed the semi smile on her friends face, knowing her friend, Bette said,

She is working at the CAC

And is she as hot as she looks like? Whispered Alice, playing with a straw while checking the brunette out.

What? How am I suppose to know? Asked Bette playing the innocent, looking at her friend again.

like you havent slept with her already.. nonchalantly mumbled Alice, checking the brunette.

Feeling the light blush covering her cheeks, Bette remained quiet, hoping for Alice to change the topic, noticing her stare, she whispered,

How the ***** do you know?

Porter, Ive seen the look in your eyes beforeon National Geographic mostly

What? Asked Bette again, looking from the hot brunette back to Alice.

Yeah, the proud look on the cats face at the mouses sight nodded Alice, amused by the look on Bettes face.

Taking a sip at her now cold coffee, Bette smiled, watching the front door opening.

Hi, Shane she said to her friend a bit too soon, hoping for an exit from Alices inquiry.

Guys nodded Shane, taking the empty chair.

Whats up? She asked, looking around.

Not much answered Alice, shrugging.

Ok, I have to go ladies said Bette, standing up, getting the paper and her purse.

Ok, see you nodded Shane, already flirting with the cute tomboy that was quietly reading a book two tables at her right.

Porter, I want detail about those pictureswill call you tomorrow shouted Alice, as Bette walked towards the door.

***

Its too early in the morning to be doing this Tina thought for a hundredth time that week as her legs were easily bending.

She was loving the yoga class as much as always but she was still getting use to do it so early in the morning. Exhaling, enjoying the Donward dog posture Tina noticed the beautiful morning light coming through the windows. It reminded her the days appointment. She didnt want to do it but Lilly asked as a favour and Tina agreed. It was almost impossible for her to say no to Lilly. And it wasnt like she was not going to get a fat check for just a dozen silly pictures of, she was sure, a boring- intellectual- full of herself museum director.

Lilly, as always, told Tina very little about the woman she was going to take pictures of. It was Lillys idea that the less Tina knew about the subjects of her pictures, the better the pictures usually were. Lilly had that rule and after so many years Tina had to admit that she was probably right.

Opening her eyes again Tina noticed her fellow yogis. A couple of ***** men (there was no doubt about them, she thought smiling thinking about Jay, making a mental note to call him later), three other men who were too clean, too perfectly dress, too full of themselves to Tinas taste and a couple of women. Noticing the difference between them, Tina checked the women out. One was what her mom could say, aunt Annas kind of friend which meant that was probably a hippy, vegetarian pacifist leaving peacefully by the ocean. Thinking about her aunt Anna put a big smile back on Tinas face. Sighing, shaking her head, bending her legs doing The warrior Tina noticed how different the other woman was. The first thing Tina noticed was how concentrate she was. The whole body lost in the posture, she wasnt even frowning or sweating. She was lost in it, in her own world.
Tina, on the other hand, as much as she loved practicing yoga was the kind of yogi who very few times got truly lost in it. Yoga for her was not just a great way to improve her stamina, strength and flexibility, it was the perfect way to get some quiet time for herself, the perfect way to relax and most important of all, Yoga was the only think that worked on her back. After two car accidents and with her kind of job, her back was her most precious possession and she was sure to take good care of it.

Noticing the other womans back, the perfect shape of her long arms, Tina nodded to herself, admiring the beautiful body. After the last couple of years working in Europe she was more than used to perfect bodies. After all, Italy was full of them. There were no more perfect bodies that the statues in Florence, Tina remembered, quietly giggling. Thinking about Paolo, Marco and Sandra, Tina closed her eyes. Even after two months, she still missed her friends deadly. Lilly, always the cynical, could not believe, until she met them, that two of the most beautiful models in the world could be such a nice, down to earth, humble people. And then there was Marco, one of the curators at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice and her best and closest friend

Sighing deeply, Tina thought thank god he is arriving tonight



authors note: guys, just wanted to thank you for all your comments on “what if”, faithfulreader; you too kind, thanks. Neka, am working on that;) InShane,kay, Hotpepper/Amanda, MyBody,s, T, Liz, Nicole, Prozacprincess,Elk, asalways,strtgirl,the reader, seahurst,seal,tinawho, BTLuver,kabby, chasemenow, loveyourstory and a few others…Thanks not only for reading but for commenting too :)))