Chapter 2 of 2
Bette spent the whole weekend thinking about Tina. She was no longer the beautiful woman from the other night, she now knew her first name and a possible contact. But Peter was her boyfriends buddy from college. Friends is good, at least we could be friends. Yeah right who am I kidding. The weekend soon past and it was back to the grind.

Bette- Morning Pete, Jenna

Peter- Morning yourself

Jenna, the receptionist- Good morning Miss Porter.

Bette was getting herself settled for work, checking early morning messages and mail when Peter knocked on her door. Come in she called out.

Peter- Think this may come in handy. Peter handed her an envelope with a name, Identification number and a telephone number.

Bette- turning the envelope around with a questioning look on her face Whats this about?

Peter- She lost a gold band here on Friday and she called over the weekend, so she is coming some time today to collect it.

Bette- She is coming here?

Peter- Thats what I said. Peter was making his exit when he stuck his head back through the door, Oh and Bette remember to breathe this time huh.

Bette smiling, playfully picked up a pen that was on her desk and pretended to throw at Peter, Get out.

Bette became nervous. She is coming here. Today. *****, *****, *****. Come on Bette get a grip. Every phone call, every knock on her door from that point on had her stomach doing back flips and forward rolls at the same time.

Tina didnt realise that she had lost her band till she was changing for bed that Friday night. She tried calling on Saturday but the gallery was not opened for the weekend. They would usually close up for the weekend after a gala opening such as the one on Friday. Tina told the security officer on duty that she will come in on Monday to collect. She gave him her name and contact number along with her identification number. On Monday morning when Peter arrived, (he is usually there early), the officer gave him the envelope in which he had placed the band with the information written on the outside. Peter, knowing Bettes interest in Tina decided to let her take care of it.

It was about ten minutes after three in the afternoon. Tina was forced into a late lunch because her morning meetings went clear into the afternoon. She took the opportunity to retrieve her band. As she drove to the gallery she her thoughts were on the conversation she had with Bette the Friday before. I wonder if Ill see Bette today? God she had beautiful eyes. she thought. Tina remembered Bettes eyes distinctly because she for most if not all of their conversation Bettes eyes never left hers and she found herself lost in them. Tina arrived at the gallery with fifteen minutes. She got out of the car and entered the gallery. She approached the security officer, Excuse me sir, I am Tina Kennard. I lost my band her on Sa.

Tina was interrupted by the officer, Oh yes, just go to the young lady at the receptionists desk, she can help you with that.

Tina- Thank you sir.

Tina walked over to the receptionist, Good day Miss, I am Tina Kennard. I lost a band here at the opening on Friday and the security told me that you can assist me?

Jenna- Oh yes maam, have a seat right there, Miss Porter will be with you shortly.

Tina- smiling Thank you.

Jenna- Miss Porter, there is a Tina Kennard here to see you about the lost band.

Bette- still trying to catch her breath Okay send her in.

Jenna- looking over at Tina Miss Porter will see you now. Its the first door on your right down the hall. Just knock and go in, she is expecting you.

Tina- Oh thank you. First door you say?

Jenna- Yes maam.

Like Bette Tina never got Bettes last name so she had no idea who Miss Porter was until she knocked and entered Bettes office. She was stunned at first and it showed. But Bette was too wrapped up in the site before her that she didnt notice.

Tina- Bette, hi, how are you? Didnt think that I would be seeing you again so soon.

Bette- Ummm I know, its nice seeing you again though. Did you enjoy the show on Friday?

Tina- smiling Oh yes, very much so thanks.

Bette- Thats good. We usually have one like every other month or so, maybe I an invite you to the next one we have.

Tina- That would be great thanks.

Bette- Oh.. umm here I think this belongs to you? Bette was hoping that her hands would have stopped shaking by now but that didnt happen.

Tina- Thank you She opened the envelope and checked the band. Yep its mine. You okay though?

Bette- Yeah, why do you ask?

Tina- Your hands are shaking thats all.

Bette- pulling back her hand oh never mind that.

They talked and talked and they both didnt realise the time until Peter knocked to say that he was off for the day.

Bette- looking at her watch, Is that the time already? It was almost six pm.

Tina- Getting up suddenly ***** I have a meeting at six, Ill be late. I gotta go. Ii enjoyed talking with you.

Bette- Me too. Youre a very interesting woman Tina and would love to have dinner or lunch or coffee with you sometime. If thats okay?

Tina- Sure, call me we can decide when.

Bette did call Tina and they decided on lunch one afternoon. That one lunch date became one of a routine. They would meet every lunchtime, and soon enough they ventured to dinner. Tina and Bette were becoming more than friends. The feelings were definitely there but neither of them had the guts to say it out loud. Tina also had Eric, but the more time she spent with Bette she was loving him less and less. She tried everything in the book to make him lose interest in her but the further away she got the harder he fought to keep her close. Tina and Bette were never intimate, sexually. There were times they would lie in each others arms just talking and there was the occasional kiss good bye after their dates but they had yet to make love to each other. Its been five months since Tina and Bette started dating and although every moment spent with each other was beautiful, Bette could not help but feel like there was something missing. She was not the only person in Tinas life. When Tina realised that she was fighting a losing battle with Eric, she gave up trying and she stayed with Eric, while having her rendezvous with Bette.

Ring, Ring

Eric- Hello

Bette- Hey Eric

Eric- Bette, hows it goin?

Bette- I doing good, is Tina there?

Eric- Yeah she is, hold on a sec. Eric called Tina to the phone, Babe, its Bette.

Tina- Hi.

Bette- Tina I think we need to talk.

Tina- You ok hon?

Bette- No Tina, I am not okay. Ummm I cant get into this on the phone. Can come over?

Tina- with a worried tone in her voice Sure Ill be there soon.

Tina- babe, I am going over to Bettes, Ill be back in a bit.

Eric- Pick up something for dinner on the way back, oh and sweetie I have a DVD to send back, its on the television. Please?

Tina- Okay hon.

Tina was at Bettes in record time. It was the first time she has heard Bette so distant and she was not sure what to expect when she got the Bettes. She got out o the car, went t to the door and rang the bell. Bette opened the door.

Tina- Sweetie, are you okay? What is going on?

Tina held onto Bette and after a few seconds Bette broke the hug. Tina, I cant do this anymore.

Tina- still confused Do what baby?

Bette- This, the hugging and the kissing. I cant do it any more.

Tina- What are you saying?

Bette- tears were already falling down her cheek., Tina, I love you. I fell in love with you the first day I saw you and I have been loving you more each day ever since. You are all I think about and I want to be with you more than anything, but I cant, not like this. I cant kiss you without wanting to make love to you, I cant hold you because when I do I dont want to let go, but I have to each night you go back home to Eric. And its killing me Tina. You have made me the happiest and the most frustrated person at the same time. I love you, but it hurts too much. And.

Tina didnt like the idea of joggling two partners at the same time. But regardless which choice she made one person would end up hurt, and she was not ready for that. She felt Bettes pain in her voice and in her eyes and it hurt her to see Bette like this. But when Bette pushed her away when she tried comforting her, that hurt her even more.

Bette- Umm I think you should go.

Tina- Bette, ImIm sorry. Please dont do this. Please, dont ask me to.

Bette- Choose? I am not asking you to choose between Eric and me, I wont ask you to do that. All I am saying is that I tried being your friend. I tried, I tried so hard not to let my feelings for you dictate where I carry out relationship and its just that for the first time I have no control over it. I tried to stop I really did. But I dont know I just cant stop loving you. Its like I was born to love you. And the more I am around you the stronger it gets and I cant God I love you so much but.

Tina could not help herself. She had to hold Bette, even if its at the risk of Bette pushing her away again. Its a though by holding her she can make her feel that what she is feeling is ok because she was feeling the same thing. Tina was in love with Bette. She fell in love with Bette the day she went to get back her band. She just never admitted it to herself before now. Perhaps its the thought of losing Bette. Perhaps its the fact that she could risk losing the one person who made her happy, who made her life worth living. Her every existence was to love Bette and she was not about to lose her best friend and future life partner. Tina knew what she had to do, she had to end it with Eric, but she just needed the courage.

Tina and Bette held each other for what seemed like forever, both not wanting to let the other go. Tina eventually pulled away and tears still flowing uncontrollably said

Tina- Bette, I love you. More than I ever thought I could, more than I ever admitted to myself and it scares me to death. I never meant to hurt you, I never wanted to, but things were moving so fast and I was just contented with the way things were between you and me and Eric. But I know where my life is. I know whom I want a future with. I want you, the whole package. I will do the right thing. I will do whats right by you. And if you give me another chance I promise you I will make you happy again. All I am asking no I am begging you for another chance to prove it to you.

Bette- Tina, I dont

Tina- Please, Bette one more chance. Its all I am asking.

Bette- Yeah. Tina didnt really have to beg mush at all. Bette was already giving up her fight and Tina knew that. But she still had to be sure.

Tina- Will you be here?

Bette- I have no where to go.

Tina- still scared about going home to end things with Eric, God I am scared.

Bette- You want me to go with you?

Tina- No. But thanks. I have to do this on my own. Tina turned and headed for the door. Ill see you soon?

Bette- Sure.

The End