RING RING RING

Hello?

Hey Porter get your ***** over here were going out tonight.

Hi Alice.

Bette smiled at the sound of Alices voice filtering through the phone lines. She had been back in LA for two and a half months and she couldnt believe Tina would be home in just two weeks. Bette was so excited she could barely get through her days, which made work quite a chore for her. Terry laughed when Bette returned from New York a different person and she smirked at him when he made some comment about Bette finally getting some TLC. Bette had gotten her show up and running and now that she had more time, Bette spent most days just sitting at home and reading or talking on the phone with Tina. She hadnt been going out as much because she wanted to make sure she got all of Tinas calls and Alice had been hounding her to get out of the house because sitting around wasnt going to do her any good. Alice knew that Bette just missed Tina terribly, but she didnt want to see her best friend wallow in depression either. Alice was determined to see to it that Bette had some fun to get her mind off of missing Tina and tonight was the perfect thing. A new club had opened up in Santa Monica, which meant there would be lots of new faces to see and admire, and if Alice knew one thing about Bette it was that female attention went a long way with her. Bette put the book she was reading down and contemplated Alices invitation.

Where are we going Al?

New club in Santa MonicaRevolver or something like thatits supposed to be the new hot spot. You knownew girlsnew interestsnew–

Yeah I get it Alice.

Bette sighed knowing Alice was probably just looking for some action and needed someone with her as backup. Bette knew Alice had been such a good friend to her over the years and she would do anything for this woman so Bette grumbled as she agreed and Alice told her to get ready and she would come get her. An hour later Bette had showered and dressed herself comfortably in a pair of low-rise jeans and a white halter-top and completed the outfit with her all purpose brown boots and brown leather jacket. Alice greeted her as she opened the door and she raised an eyebrow at Bettes appearance.

What?

You know Tinas coming home in like two weeks right?

Yeah why?

Then why are you dressed like that?

Like what?

Come on BetteI know every single piece of clothing you ownyou are wearing your I-want-some-attention jeans and your *****-makes-me-want-to-touch you top. Go change.

Alice dont be ridiculous. Come on lets go.

As Bette dragged Alice out of her house and towards her car she had a small smile on her face. True, she did know that this outfit usually gets her the attention she sometimes craves, but after only getting to see Tina once in the past five and a half months, Bette decided it was time to dust it off and see if it still had some magic in it. By no means did she have any intention or desire to find a one-night-stand, but the offer of one always cushioned her ego a little and tonight she needed to feel wanted. Alice grinned as she followed Bette to her car knowing she had been right in making Bette come with her and she just hoped that this plan didnt back fire and get either her or Bette into too much trouble.

They drove to the club and chatted lightly about their days and soon Bette had relaxed and was looking forward to seeing some new faces. Before she met Tina, Bette had a reputation that sometimes worked against her in the romance department and Bette couldnt figure out why even though it seemed as if almost everyone wanted her, no one actually tried to get her. But this would be a new group of women and Bette knew if she really wanted to she could turn up the charm and probably have some little thing following her around all night. There is a difference between being self-assured and being cocky, and Bette danced that line with grace and ease. When they pulled up Bette saw that it was crowded and Alice winked at her as they walked in and surveyed the scene. Sure enough it was a totally unfamiliar crowd and Bette laughed as Alice looked around with her radar on full blast as she hunted for her prey. Alice wandered off to make new um, friends, and Bette headed to the bar to have a seat at the bar and observe the action. Bette made her way over and after ordering a cosmopolitan, Bette turned around in her seat and looked around at the mass of women in front of her.

Bette?

Bette turned to see Shane walking towards her with her arm around a short brunette. Bette smiled warmly at Shane and laughed as she said hello.

So what brings you out tonight Ms. Porter?

Alice. Shes around here somewhere.

I seewell have funwere going now.

Bette shook her head as Shane walked away with her arm still around that girl and Bette sighed when she remembered those days. The times when everything was fun and life was so care free. But then Bette thought about her life now and she knew she wouldnt trade it for the world. Bette felt a warm feeling coarse through her body as she thought about Tina. Bette knew she was completely head over heels for her and she couldnt believe how much her life has changed since she met Tina. Bette used to be the type to always be in on the latest happenings of this city and she knew almost every girl in it, but lately Bette didnt care about all that. She was happy coming home to Tina at the end of the day and curling up in bed with her. That was enough for Bette and she knew this probably surprised a lot of people. Bette smiled as she remembered her trip to New York a few months ago and she never imagined that Tina could be soso

Excuse me may I join you?

Bette was shaken from her thoughts by a ***** voice belonging to an even sexier brunette. The woman standing before her was about Bettes height and weight with penetrating dark brown eyes and full supple lips. Bette didnt allow her eyes to wander too much over this woman, but Bette could tell that she was definitely hiding a gorgeous body behind her tight black leather pants and tan sleeveless top. Bette turned to her with a small smile on her face and motioned for the woman to sit down. Bette knew the game well enough to know what this womans intentions were, but Bette figured a little harmless flirting wouldnt kill her so she decided to engage.

Hi Im Bette.

Im Sasha. Nice to meet you.

Bette noticed Sasha being a little bolder with her eyes and Bette felt the rush of being desired overtake her body. There was something in the way that Sasha was looking at her that made Bette tingle a little. Sasha smiled sweetly and looked out into the crowd with a bored look on her face. Bette smiled and waited for some stupid pick up line to come from this woman but what she actually said surprised Bette.

I dont understand why I come to these things. It gets so depressing after a while.

What do you mean?

Well it always starts out as a bunch of new faces, but then after a week or two, so many people have slept with so many others that pretty soon you could draw a line connecting almost everyone in the room. Its depressing.

Bette laughed as she thought about what Sasha was saying. She would get along with Alice, thought Bette as she studied the beauty in front of her. Alice was convinced that she could connect everyone on the planet through sexual or platonic relations and she was out to prove it. She had started with the greater Los Angeles area and she had this chart that she was working on that had everyone she knew on it. At first Bette had thought it was stupid, but after Alice got it going Bette was a little amazed at how interconnected everyone was. Of course she kept this idea to herself because God forbid she ever tell Aliceshe would never hear the end of it. Bette tried to think of something to say when she realized Sasha was speaking to her.

So what about you? Do you come to these things a lot?

Nonot really, not anymore.

You used to come?

Well my girlfriend doesnt really like these types of places. We usually go to MILK but thats about it. Or RADAR.

Bette noticed Sashas reaction to her having a girlfriend, but then she saw a shift in her demeanor that put Bette on edge a little. She had presented a challenge and Bette could tell Sasha was not the type to back down from a challenge. Sasha turned to Bette with a smile still on her face.

So where is your girlfriend tonight?

Shes out of town on business.

Oh I see

My friend dragged me heresomething about needing to get out of the house and join the rest of society or something like that.

Sounds like a good friend.

She is.

Sasha smiled and looked around as the music changed. Loud, fast paced music had been filling the club for the past hour or so, but suddenly a slow song came on and the dance floor cleared a little. Sasha leaned over and whispered in Bettes ear while letting her eyes drift south on Bettes body and Bette felt a chill run up her spine at Sashas voice.

So would your girlfriend kill me if I asked you to dance?

Probably.

Well whats life without a little riskwould you like to dance?

Bette thought about it for a second. She knew she should just say no and walk away, but it was just one dance and she had been enjoying Sashas company. Bette knew she was going home alone tonight and she wouldnt let Sasha try anything with her so she decided it wouldnt hurt. She took Sashas hand and let her lead her to the dance floor. As Sasha wrapped her arms around her Bette wondered what it was that was so appealing about this woman. Besides being very attractive, she could see that it was this womans attitude and confidence that probably drew people to her. She was definitely the type of person who was used to getting what she wanted and Bette realized they were a lot alike. Bette was sure that Sasha was the type who would go after something regardless of the situation and after all wasnt that what she did with Tina? Bette laughed a little as she thought about that and Sasha looked at her with a slight smile on her face.

Something funny?

Sorryits just that I think were a lot alike.

How so?

Well for starters Id say you are not used to hearing people tell you no and you usually manage to get whatever it is you want.

Truego on

And you are the type of person who knows what she wants and stops at nothing to get it.

Right again. So let me ask you a question then

Okay

What if I said I wanted you?

Bette swallowed hard and felt the color rise in her cheeks. It had been a long time since someone had been so aggressive with her and Bette almost forgot how it felt to be the prey in the game of cat and mouse. Bette pulled away a little from the tight grip that Sasha had on her and she just looked at her with an even look on her face.

Sorry, Im already seeing someone.

I know. You told me. But that wasnt what I asked. I asked you what you would say if I wanted you?

Bette blinked her eyes at Sashas response. Damn this woman is fearless, thought Bette as she continued to just stare at her. Sasha reminded Bette of how she used to be before, and she knew this approach all too well: keep persisting subtly until they break down. Bette had learned early in her dating career that it wasnt all about being forceful or bold with your aggression. It was about strategy. Play the game, make all the right moves, and she would think she seduced you. Bette smiled and shook her head a little as she recalled the many times this tactic had been successful for her years ago.

I would have to say thanks but no thanks. I couldnt do that to my girlfriend.

Lucky girl.

So am I.

They finished their dance and were walking back to the bar to have another drink when out of nowhere Alice came running up to Bette and grabbing her away from Sasha. Bette looked at Alice like she had gone insane until Alice yelled at her.

Tinas back early.

She looked up and saw Tina standing there with Mimi and Ivy and after giving Bette a hard glare, Tina turned and walked out of the club. Bette didnt know what to do at first but then Alice just grabbed her and pulled her towards the door. Mimi just shook her head at Bette and Ivy didnt even look at her as Bette walked by them to try and find Tina. She got outside and Bette looked all over but when she didnt see Tina or her car anywhere Bette turned to Alice and looked at her with an exasperated look on her face.

*****.