Alice, Dana and Shane floated leisurely in the pool, each one claiming their own piece of the edge over which to drape their arms as their toes buoyed on the water. Tina sat on the edge with her legs in the water, slowly paddling in the cool shade of a nearby bush. Bette and Alex were lounging on the small tuft of cool grass, carefully hidden in the shade of the house. The combination of margaritas and heat had taken its effect on the group, a calm silence enveloping the scene, except for the distance beat of Santanas Maria. Their words were slightly slurred and their voices languid as a lazy conversation finally began:

Alice: This is the life.

Dana: Yup.

Shane: Hmmm

Tina: I forgotto put on sunscreen.

Alice: Youll be fineyoure in the shade.

Shane: Yeah.

Bette: I can get someput some on you

Tina: Nahthats okay.

Bette: GoodI dont feel like getting up.

Alex: Its probably not such a good ideasitting out here in the heatfull of alcohol(sigh) we could get seriously dehydrated.

Alice: Zip itDoogie Howser.

Dana: Good one, Al.

Alice: ThanksTina can I ask you a question.

Tina: Sure

Alice: Do you and Bette ever have ***** in here?

Bette: Shut up Alice.

Dana: Thats very impolite.

Shane: Hmmm

Tina: Yeah.

Alex: (propping her head on her hand) Yeahwhat?

Tina (yawning): We have ***** in here.

Bette sat straight up, eyes wide with disbelief and locked on Tina. Alex started to roll around on the grass, laughing hysterically. On cue, Alice, Dana and Shane had all disappeared beneath the surface of the water together. Bette shook her head, mouth hanging open and eyes slowly narrowing. Tina had an unconcerned expression on her face and just shrugged her shoulders. She dipped her hand into water and used it as a shovel to splash Bette with a face-full, Cool down. Bette! Both Bette and Alex shot up, shaking themselves dry and shuddering slightly at the coolness of the water against their hot skin. Alex wrung out her shirt as she laughed watching Bette returning Tina the favor. Tina stood up and started to run away, but Bette caught up quickly, grabbed her by the waist and pulled them both over the edge, landing in the pool with a huge splash.

Shane came up for air, spitting out a steady stream of water like a fountain statue and motioned to Alex, Cmonget in here! Yeahjust make sure you stay on that side, youll probably drown if you come to the deep end! Alice yelled over the sound of her splashing fight with Dana. Alex playfully flipped her off as she crouched down by the edge of the pool, I think I better get goingIve been taking this whole week off and I seriously need to get some work done. Tina swam away from Bette, narrowly escaping being plunged underwater by her head. She bobbed alongside Shane with the same concerned expression on her face, Are you sure youre okay to drive yourself. Alex nodded her head as she got to her feet, gently tousling Shanes hair, Ill grab some coffee down the street and Ill be straight. Dana sniggered as she swam behind Tina and Shane, practicing her backstroke, Not in this lifetime. Alex flipped her off as well, then lowered her eyes to Tina and Shane, Thanks for everything Tina(looking up) Bette(looking at Alice and Dana) guys(looking back at Shane) Ill call you later. Shane smiled and gave her the thumbs up.

Tina lifted herself out of the pool as Alex rounded the corner to head down the driveway. The faint sound of a cell phone ringing cut through the noise. Tina walked over to its source, snuggled in the back pocket of Shanes breathable jeans. Shane, your phones ringing! she shouted over the din of the splashing. Shane jumped out of the pool in one fluid movement and jogged over to Tinas outstretched arm. Hellooh, heyhow are you doingum, maybe lateryeah Ill be at Milk Shane continued talking quietly, taking slow steps away from the pool toward a bush in the corner. Tina just rolled her eyes as she walked into the house, assuming it was another one of Shanes conquests. As tight as Shane and Alex were, nothing would ever happen between them. They had initially bonded over a tequila-shot contest, and several joints later, had become virtually inseparable.

Tina bent over to grab a roll of paper towels from the cupboard under the sink, deciding to tackle the mess Alex and Alice had left in her kitchen. She heard heavy footsteps behind her and assumed it was Bette coming in for a drink, Babe, where are the Her breath hitched as she felt a hand slide between her legs and squeeze gently. Shhhhhh she heard Bette whisper, as another hand slowly glided from the small of her back to the nape of her neck. Tina slowly stood up straight as Bettes left hand crept around, encircling an arm around Tinas neck, while her right hand was still firmly established between Tinas legs. Tina let out a shuddering breath as she felt Bette smiling into the skin of her neck. Lets go into the bathroom and wash up, she whispered hotly into Tinas ear, slowly licking it afterwards. ButBette Tina breathed, barely able to say the words, theyrerightoutside. Bette gently pressed her teeth in Tinas shoulder and began stroking her lightly, They already know we have ***** in the poolwho cares.

Tina managed to spin around, breaking away from Bettes hands. She clamped her fingers on the edge of the counter breathing heavily and closing her eyes, Youre not ***** kidding are you, she whispered through a smile. Bette leaned in closer and licked her lips, I never kid about *****. Tinas jaw fell at Bettes remark and she gasped slightly, The heats really getting to you! Bette quickly arched an eyebrow, shot a sideways glance toward the pool, and then looked back at Tina, jerking her head in the direction of the hall. Tina bit her lip and nodded, pushing Bette away as she whispered, Go aheadgo firstIll be right there. Bette took a step backwards, but then quickly put an arm around Tinas waist and pulled her closer, If you leave me hanging, youre gonna be very sorry. Tina nodded her head emphatically and pushed her away again, turning to stand in the doorway. Well, guyswere gonna changereally quickto go get some foodany requests? Shane, Alice and Dana had assumed their previous positions in the pool and each muttered something all at once.

Tina gathered they were indifferent, and was just about to turn around when she felt something soft and wet hit her back with considerable force. She turned around, expecting to see Bettes grinning face peeking around the corner, but she wasnt there. She looked down at what had assaulted her: it was Bettes soaked tank top. She bent down to pick it up, but remembering what happened to her just seconds ago, grabbed it and stood up quickly. She looked back at the women in the pool, reassuring herself that they were oblivious, or at least unconcerned. She wrung the top out onto the parched dirt next to the house and wadded it up into a ball in preparation for her meeting with Bette. She walked slowly down the hall, and peeked into the bathroom, hoping to find Bette off guard. Her brow wrinkled when she saw it was empty. She took a step inside and peered into the shower, Bette?