BETTES SIDE

Bette sat at her desk and looked at her watch for the tenth time that day. Tonight she had another date with Tina and she couldnt wait to see her. They had been dating for about four months now and Bette felt confident that her and Tina would be completely back together in no time. Tina still hadnt moved back into the house but Bette knew that Tina was being cautious and needed complete assurance that Bette had changed for the better before moving home.

The only thing that frustrated Bette was the fact that they hadnt made love yet. They were affectionate with each other and Tina never hesitated to kiss her or to cuddle with her, but if Bette tried to turn things more physical Tina always pulled away. Bette knew this was the last hurdle they had to cross and when Tina was ready they would, but Bette couldnt help feeling like she was being punished every time Tina cut off her advances.

The four months had gone by in a flash though, as Bette and Tina saw each other about four times a week and talked on the phone every night. Bette had never felt happier, and hated to admit that Tina was right in wanting to take things slowly. As much as she wanted to get things back to normal, if they had rushed back into a relationship she couldnt say for certain that the old feelings of alienation and loss wouldnt return. She had not seen or spoken to Candace since the night of Provocations and after a few weeks of not returning her calls Candace finally gave up trying. Bette wondered what she would have said to her, given the chance, but she thought for now its better she never know.

Bette sat there thinking a little longer and realized she was so proud of who Tina had become. She was the same person that Bette fell in love with seven years ago, but now she was so much more. She had really come into her own and Bette knew that this newfound persona was something that Tina needed. Bette realized that a big part of the problem leading up to her infidelity was that Tina had become totally dependent on her. Bette never realized how much she took Tina for granted until she was gone and Bette loved the fact that Tina had become such an independent person and forced Bette to accept it.

Her cell phone was going off and she smiled when she saw Tinas office number on the Caller ID.

Hi baby.

Hey babe, hows your day going?

Tiring, I have to finish a proposal and get it faxed over to the New York office by five oclock their time and I am really behind. Our R and D team is moving at the pace of snails and I cant find a set of estimates that I swear were on my desk about 5 minutes ago. Other than that things are going great. I cant wait to see you tonight.

Bette smiled at the sound of Tinas voice and she could picture Tina behind her desk busily trying to finish all of her projects. Tina had become a force to be reckoned with in the business world and it was just another thing that Bette was so in awe of.

Me too baby. Did you want me to make dinner reservations somewhere?

Sure. I had a big lunch though so can we make it a light dinner?

Okay. What did you have for lunch?

Katie and I had lunch at Valentinos.

At this last bit of information Bette felt herself tense up. Tina had mentioned Katie a few dozen times during their conversations, but Bette never felt threatened by her because she knew that Tina loved her. Until today. Katie was another development exec where Tina worked and Bette had the suspicion that Katie had interest in Tina. Valentinos was a super trendy and very expensive restaurant in LA. It was just the type of place that Bette would take Tina to when they first started dating when she wanted to impress her. It was also not anywhere close to where Tina worked and she knew that if they went there it was planned ahead of time and Bette couldnt help but wonder if it was Katie or Tina who did the planning.

Oh? So how was lunch?

Tina could hear the suspicion in Bettes voice and she couldnt help but smile as she wasnt used to Bette being jealous of anyone spending time with her. Bette had always been so confident in their relationship that she rarely got threatened by anyone showing interest in Tina, but now that they were starting over it was nice for Bette to show her emotions a little. Tina knew she could never rub that in Bettes face but for the time being she was going to enjoy it and let Bettes own guilty conscience get the better of her.

Bette. Dont start. Look I have to get back to work. I will see you tonight okay. Seven thirty?

Okay. I have to get going too. I love you.

Love you too babe, bye.

Bette hung up and sighed to herself. She was going to have to get used to Tina having other people in her life but Bette couldnt shake the feeling there was something Tina wasnt telling her.

TINAS SIDE

Tina hung up with Bette and let out a little laugh. She knew that Bette was probably furious right now and she wondered if Bette would bring it up at dinner tonight. She wouldnt let it go any further if Bette did bring it up and would assure Bette that nothing was there between Katie and her. Looking at her desk and the mound of paperwork on it she turned all of her attention to finishing her latest project so that she would have time to go home and get ready for Bette.

About four hours later she was just wrapping up her report when there was a knock at her door.

Come in.

The door opened and Katie was standing there holding a stack of portfolios.

Are you busy?

No, I was just finishing the Van Guard account. Whats up?

Katie walked into the room and set the portfolios down on Tinas desk.

Walter said these reports need to get out by Monday and he wanted us to go over them.

Tina sighed as she glanced at her watch. It was six oclock and she had to meet Bette in an hour and a half. Working on the weekend was nothing new to her, but she really wanted this weekend alone with Bette. She finally felt ready to reconnect with her physically and she knew that if they did, she would most likely be spending the weekend in bed.

Can you get anyone else to do it? I kind of have concrete plans that I cant get out of.

Tina felt bad about lying to Katie but she really needed the time alone with Bette.

Cant. Neil and Amy have their own set of accounts to go over. But hey, if youre busy its okay. Ill just work the whole weekend.

Tina felt guilty for piling so much work on Katie and sighed as she decided her weekend with Bette would have to wait.

No you cant do that. Let me make some calls and Ill meet you here tomorrow around ten?

Katie smiled as she took the seat across from Tina. Tina looked at Katie and realized why Bette was so jealous. Katie was very beautiful with shoulder length light brown hair and eyes that always seemed to sparkle. She was tall, about Bettes height, and had the body of a twenty-one year old, although Tina guessed she was closer to thirty-one. Her smile was contagious and when she laughed it always put a smile on Tinas face. Tina also had the impression that Katie had interest in her but she always kept their interactions platonic and was careful not to lead her on. Man, if anyone would make Bette jealous it is this woman, thought Tina as she smiled to herself.

Whats so funny?

Nothing. Hey thanks again for lunch.

It was my pleasure. It was fun. We should do it again sometime. Or we could go out for dinner sometime, like say next week sometime?

Tina gulped as she realized that Katie was in fact hitting on her and she suddenly got very nervous. Katie could see that she had made Tina uncomfortable so she decided to change the subject.

So what were your plans that you couldnt get out of?

Tina hesitated before continuing, not knowing if she should tell Katie about Bette.

Um, I just had plans with Bette thats all.

Who is Bette?

My girlfr- I mean my partner. My life partner. Shes my wife.

Katie raised an eyebrow but didnt say anything.

So if youre married then why do you live alone?

Tina sighed knowing she might as well tell Katie about Bette since they were probably going to be seeing a lot of each other in the next few weeks.

Its complicated. We were together for seven years and then some things happened and I moved out. Thats the short version at least.

Youll have to tell me the long version sometime because if I were Bette I would never let you go.

With that Katie winked at her and stood up.

Okay Kennard, well Ill see you tomorrow.

Tina just sat at her desk watching Katie walk away. She was utterly confused and very shocked that Katie would be so forward after she told her she was married. Tina also couldnt help but feel the color rising in her cheeks as she wondered what it would be like to be with Katie. Stop it Tina, she told herself. With one last look down the hallway at Katie she gathered her things and left to go meet Bette. Tina didnt know why she reacted the way she did to Katie but one thing was for sure. She could not act on those feelings because if she did Bette would feel like she did it just to get even and that was not how Tina wanted to start her new life with Bette.