Friday morning Tina awoke with a feeling of excitement and curiosity running through her system. Tonight was her outing with Bette and she didnt know if she was more nervous or anxious to see her. She didnt want to call it a date because Tina felt that would put more pressure on things. She was just going to have dinner with a friend. Who was a woman. A gorgeous woman. Who could make her head spin and her knees melt with just one smile. Tina sighed happily as she lay in bed wondering what it would be like to wake up next to Bette every morning, and she decided that she was going to really give her feelings for Bette a chance tonight.

Bette woke with her usual feeling of tiredness and need for caffeine, but when she remembered she was going to see Tina tonight, she felt a warm sensation run through her body. Just seeing Tinas face or hearing her name was enough to make her grin like a teenager in love. She knew it was more than just a fleeting emotion and she was going to do everything right this time. Bette knew from the instant she met Tina that she wanted her in her life. For good.

Bette rolled over and inwardly groaned as she remembered she had to meet Alice for coffee this morning. It was their usual Friday ritual and they had been doing it for years. She rolled out of bed and into the shower and as she stood under the water she imagined what it would be like to make love to Tina. She imagined how soft Tinas body must feel and how perfect her ***** would fit in Bettes hands. Bette imagined running her hands down Tinas naked body to discover her most intimate places and soon Bette felt her hands trailing down her own body only to bring her to a much needed release. Bette got out of the shower and dressed quickly as she was now late meeting Alice. With one final look in the mirror she headed out to meet her best friend.

Tina was making breakfast for herself when Eric let himself in to her town home. Tina felt a small twinge of guilt when she saw him, but it disappeared when he pulled her in for a gentle hug and kiss good morning. He stood behind her as she finished cooking and he couldnt help but kiss the back of her neck and then down to her shoulder. Tina felt him getting aroused and with a glance at the clock saw that she would be late for her nine oclock meeting. She turned around and gave him a deep kiss before jumping in the shower. When she emerged dressed for work but carrying a duffle bag with clothes in it he asked her what was going on.

Im meeting a friend later and I just wanted something more comfortable to change into babe.

Tina told herself it wasnt a complete lie and Eric seemed to buy it so she let it slide. She gave him one more kiss on the lips before running out the door, and Eric stared after her with a look of love mixed with guilt. I will ask her soon, he thought as he finished breakfast and went back to his house.

Bette strolled into the Planet looking around for Alice. She spotted her sitting down reading a magazine with a latte on the table in front of her. Next to her latte was Bettes triple shot vanilla latte. Bette smiled as she made her way over to Alice. They were such good friends and had even dated for a while. That only lasted about a month however, and they decided they were better off as friends. Alice saw Bette coming towards her and she put her magazine down and gave her a very sneaky smile. Alice knew Bette had news about Tina and by the happy look on Bettes face Alice knew it was good news.

Hey Porter, running late this morning?

Long shower.

Bette smiled at Alice knowing that this lack of information was killing her. She probably assumes my shower was with Tina, she thought as she made a production out of getting settled and taking a sip of her latte.

You got her into bed already?

Bette couldnt help but laugh at Alices frankness. Alice was one of those people who had that rare quality to be as blunt as possible but never offensive or mean. This was probably her best and worst quality and it was something Bette loved about her.

No Alice, I didnt sleep with her.

Then what? Come on, share.

There is nothing to shareyet.

Alice gave Bette a Uh huh look as she took a sip of her latte. Bette didnt want to give Alice too much ammunition because this was not just another one of Bettes one-night stands. Tina was different and Bette wanted to keep their possible relationship as confidential as possible. They finished their coffee and their conversation but Bette had a hard time keeping her mind on Alice. Thoughts of Tina kept drifting into her head and she knew she was in love. Damn Porter, get a hold of yourself, thought Bette as she tried her best to pay attention to whatever the ***** Alice was talking about.

Tina was at her desk trying to carry on three different conversations with various execs and get through a thousand page script when her cell phone rang. Tina glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was Eric but she didnt have time to talk. Ill just call him later, she thought as she went back to the script in front of her. Three hours later Tina was taking a break for lunch when she remembered Erics call earlier. She flipped open her phone and when she heard the message she felt her heart drop.

Hey babe its me. Listen, I need to talk to you about something. Its kind of important. Can you meet me for dinner tonight?

*****. What happened? Tina thought as she frantically called him back hoping there was some way she could talk to him right now so that she didnt have to cancel with Bette.

This is Eric.

Baby? Whats wrong?

Tina, hey. Nothing, nothing is wrong. Can you just meet me tonight at my house? At seven? Its really important.

***** ***** *****, thought Tina as she racked her brain trying to figure out what was wrong with him. She really didnt want to cancel with Bette, and if this could wait then she wouldnt feel guilty asking him to.

Babe I kind of have plans tonight. Can it wait til tomorrow?

No Tina, it cant. Please? Its really important you meet me tonight.

Yeah okay.

Tina hung up soon after that with a sinking feeling. I hope she doesnt think Im canceling because Ive changed my mind about her. Tina dug through her bag and found the business card Bette gave her with her cell phone number on it. With a deep breath Tina dialed Bettes number.

Bette Porter.

Hi Bette, its Tina.

Hey how are you?

Tina felt a surge run through her body as she listened to the sound of Bettes voice. She felt extremely guilty for canceling so last minute but she knew whatever Eric wanted, it was important. She tried to figure out a plausible excuse, but then just decided to go with the truth.

Im good. Um, the reason I was calling was because I have to take a rain check on tonight. I am so sorry Bette. Its just that Eric called me today saying he had something important he needed to talk to me about and for some reason he needed to do it tonight. Im really sorry.

Tina, its okay. We can just do it another night.

Tina heard the disappointment in Bettes voice and for some reason it made her smile. Bette was doing her best to keep her composure but inside, she felt like breaking something. I bet she just changed her mind and wont admit it, thought Bette as she mentally kicked herself for thinking she could convert a straight woman. Oh well, she thought as she listened to Tina try and graciously get out of the situation.

I was really looking forward to seeing you tonight Bette, honest. Can we do it tomorrow?

Tomorrows no good for me. I have a dinner to attend. Look Tina, why dont you just call me next week and well talk about it then okay? I have to get going.

Okay, Im really sorry again.

Bye.

Bette hung up and threw her cell phone against the wall. *****, she thought as she sat down and flipped through her Rolodex to call the restaurant and cancel their reservations. I knew it was too good to be true, she thought as she decided to go visit Alice to get her mind off of Tina. As she drove over to the magazine where Alice worked she made a vow to herself never to fall for a straight woman again.

At seven fifteen Tina pulled up to Erics house and sat in her car. Part of her was concerned because he had never been so demanding before and she hoped he was okay, but there was a part of her that was angry with him for making her cancel her plans with Bette. As she got out of the car and walked up to the house she tried to calm herself down and reminded herself that this was her boyfriend who loved her and who she loved more than anything.

She knocked on the door but when he didnt answer she took out her keys and used the key he gave her to open the door. She walked into the living room and her heart stopped beating momentarily. The house was lit only by candlelight and there were roses everywhere. And there, in the middle of the room was Eric, dressed in a tuxedo and holding a single rose. Tina didnt know what to do and she knew she had a goofy smile plastered on her face. She walked over to him and when he handed her the rose and gave her a kiss on the cheek she felt her heart dissolve into a puddle of happiness.

Tinas demeanor suddenly changed from elated to scared and surprised when he slowly got down on one knee.

Christina Kennard, I love you more than anything. Will you marry me?

Tina put her hand over her mouth to hide her surprise and the only thought running through her mind at that moment was, OH *****.