Bette just looked at Tina with eyes as big as quarters. Tina was just glaring at her. Bette could see a variety of different emotions on her face. A little bit of hurt, a little bit of anger, a pinch of surprise, and a hint of jealousy. This is not going to be good no matter what I say Bette thought to herself.

Tina, its not what you think.

Well then what is it Bette? She then turned to Ivy. Apparently you have some news to share. Dont stop since Im standing here. She just stood there staring at Ivy, who was looking like a deer caught in headlights.

Ivy tried to speak Tina, I was just.me and Bette were..

You know what Ivy, you dont have to explain. Bette doesnt owe me any explanations, do you Bette? She turned back to Bette. She took her purse off the back of her chair and reached in and put $10 on the table. Bette, tell Marina to keep the change. At that moment she turned and headed out the door.

Tinawait Bette said scrambling to catch up to her.

Bette I am so sorry. I didnt know she was here. I thought you two were broke up anyway, Ivy said before Bette got past her.

We are broke up Ivy, but I dont want it to go down this way.

Bette ran outside and looked both ways up and down the street but she didnt see Tina. She ran to the corner and she could see Tina about halfway down the sidewalk to her car. She wasnt running but she was walking rather briskly.

Tina, Bette screamed. Tina wait. She took off running to try and catch up to her. She caught up to her right when Tina was about to put her key in the door. She took her by the arm and spun her around to face her.

Tina what are you doing?

Im not doing anything Bette. The question is what have you been doing, misses Im not ready for anything right now.

Tina stop this. Im being honest with you, Im not ready for anything serious right now, but I am human. I need love and attention just like you Tina.

So you admit you slept with this Layla character last night?

Bette really didnt appreciate Tinas tone or her calling Layla a character, but she understood where it was all coming from. She decided honesty would be the best policy in this situation. Look Tina, last night me and Layla did share an intimate evening, but there was no meaning behind it. Tina I needed the release. For so long I spent nights crying for you, longing to be held by you, to make love to you just one more time. But yesterday I woke up and realized that I couldnt put my life on hold. Now dont get me wrong, Ill wait for you as long as I can because I really cant see giving my heart to anyone else right now, but like I said Im human.

Tina was just staring at Bette. So this was just some one night stand, huh? I guess youre back to the old Bette. The Bette I never got to see.

Now Bette was irritated.

Tina, may I remind you, you dont want me remember. You told me to leave you alone remember. You said you were with Carlie now. Leave it alone Bette, lets be friends Bette. Those were your words.

Bette was close to yelling.

Tina I love you more than you would ever know, but I dont owe you a ***** explanation!

Bette realized her tone and brought it down a bit. I dont want to hurt you. Id rather die before I did that again, but what am I supposed to do Tina? Bette was almost whispering now, patting her chest What am I supposed to do?

Bettes outburst startled Tina. ***** it then Bette. ***** who you want, I could give a *****. Carlie gives it to me good anytime I want anyway. And you know what, youre right, I shouldnt be concerned with what youre doing.

Bettes face contorted into a shape it had never been in before. Tina had just knocked the breath out of her with that statement. Why is she doing this? Why did she just say that?

In a defeated tone Bette spoke, Okay Tina, you win. I apologize for sleeping with someone else even though you dont want me. Im sorry for everything. This is all my fault anyway. She looked deep into Tinas eyes searching for her motivation to hurt her like that, but all she found was a cold stare. I guess Ill see you around. With that Bette turned to walk back towards the Planet.

Tina knew she had cut Bette…deep. Why did I just do that? Why did I just say that? She opened the door to her car and sat down. She watched as Bette turned the corner. *****, *****, *****, she said out loud pounding on the steering wheel. Tina knew exactly why she reacted like that. Her love for Bette wasnt in remission like she thought it was. And just like a disease it had returned to turn her life upside down again.

>>>

Bette couldnt believe what had just happened outside. It had turned nasty and Bette never wanted that between her and Tina. She started gathering up her things so she could go home and get ready for work.

Ivy came over to Bette and sat down. I am so sorry Bette. I should have just kept my big mouth shut. I was acting like a big kid, she said apologetically.

Its okay Ivy. Really it is. Tina and I have so much to work out if there is ever a chance for us to get back together. And right now I dont know how much of a chance we got. Bette breathed out a long sigh. Ive got to go get ready for work. She picked up the last of her things and looked at Ivy, Oh yeah, Layla mentioned that you guys are going to Milk again tomorrow night.

Yeah are you going to be there?

Absolutely.

Well Ill see you tomorrow then. And again, Im sorry Bette.

Dont worry about it Ivy. See you later. Bette dropped $15 beside Tinas $10 and she left.

When she got home she just dropped everything on the floor beside the couch. She flopped down and started rubbing her temples. It felt like a headache was building behind her forehead. She got up and went to the bathroom and got two Tylenols and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. She put both red pills in her mouth and took a huge swallow of water. When she put the glass down she noticed the letter Layla had written. She picked it up and started reading it again.

>>
Bette,

Last night was incredible. You were incredible….
>>

When Bette finished reading she was smiling. A part of her really wanted to talk to Layla right now. Well whats stopping you Porter? Tina? she said sarcastically.

She grabbed the phone and started dialing the number to Vees house.

Hello?

Yes, this is Bette Porter, may I speak to Layla please?

Uh, yeah. Hold on.

Layla.phone, Vee yelled.

Bette could hear Layla grabbing the phone from Vee. She also heard Vee say You go girl.

Bette just smiled.

Hello?

Hello Layla, this is Bette.

Its nice to hear from you this morning.

Nice to hear you too. I was just overwhelmed by an urge to call you, so I did. I hope thats okay, Bette said trying to bait a response from Layla.

I am so happy you called. I was just sitting here thinking about you and last night.

Oh yeah. And what were you thinking?

Well Ms. Porter, I was thinking about how incredibly ***** your body is and how great of a lover you are. I have never felt anything like that before. Is that clear enough for you?

Bette was starting to blush Yeah thats clear. And youre not too shabby yourself Msumm.Well now Im embarrassed. We spent an amazing night together and I dont even know your last name.

Its Kailiawa

Bette struggled with the pronunciation Ka – what?

Layla laughed at Bettes feeble attempt. Its Kai-lee-ah-wah.

Okay. Youre going to have to work with me on that. Ill just call you Layla for now.

Thats fine. But since I know you can roll your tongue really well, it wont take long to teach you, Layla said continuing to flirt.

Layla you are starting to really fluster me.

I hope so. Are you coming to Milk tomorrow night? Layla asked.

I wouldnt miss it for the world. But I would really like to see you before then, if thats possible.

I would love to see you Bette.

Then what are you doing tonight?

Seeing you, I hope.

Bette loved how Layla was responding to her. I get off at 5:00. We can meet up after then if you would like.

Sounds good, Layla said smiling into the phone.

Ill call you when I leave work. Do you mind if we just stay here at my house and watch movies? I can order some takeout if you want. I just want to do something quiet. And plus Im trying to get to know you a little better.

Layla grinned Ill be waiting for your call.

Okay talk to you later. Bye Bye.

Bye, Bette.

When Bette hung up, you couldnt have smacked the smile off her face. It felt good to be desired by someone, and Layla was making it clear to her that she was still very desirable. It still hurt her that Tina and her had argued like that earlier, but she was determined to not let it bother her. And especially not tonight. Her headache was already starting to go away.

>>>

Bettes first few hours at work were spent going back and forth between thoughts of Layla and Tina. She was looking forward to her evening with Layla. She really did want to get to know her better and not just physically. It was something about Layla that intrigued her. She loved the fact that she said exactly what she was thinking and wasnt shy at all. Other than that she didnt know much more about her. Hopefully, Ill be able to learn more about Layla Ka-la.whatever her last name is, tonight, she thought to herself. Thats when her thoughts would shift to Tina. It was so different because she knew everything about her. She had memorized her inch of her body. She loved that they were able to complete each others sentences. She had a level of comfort with Tina she knew she would never find with anyone else. And she wasnt sure if she wanted to find it with someone else, but this afternoon had left a bad taste in Bettes mouth. It seemed so hopeless for them two at the moment. Bette replayed Tinas statement over and over in her mind

>>
***** who you want, I could give a *****. Carlie gives it to me good anytime I want anyway.

..***** who you want, I could give a *****. Carlie gives it to me good anytime I want anyway
>>

The repetition of this in her mind was about to drive her insane. *****, Tina. That was totally unnecessary.

When 5:00 hit Bette was happy to be getting out of there. And she was thankful that Franklin had spent most of the afternoon in meetings with members of the board of the CAC. She was also happy that she wasnt going to have to face him until Monday, so she quickly grabbed her things and ran out the door.

>>>

When she got to her car she dialed the number to Vees house. She made a point to memorize it before she left the house so she could call Layla as soon as she got off.

Hello?

May I speak to Layla?

There you are. Ive been waiting for your call.

Layla?

Yeah, this is Layla. I saw your name on the caller ID so I went ahead and answered the phone.

Oh..okay. Are we still on for tonight?

I wouldnt want to be anywhere else, Layla said excitedly.

Well I should be home in about 30 minutes. I know this nice Japanese restaurant, that has great hibachi steak and chicken if you would like that.

Mmmthat sounds good.

Ill go ahead and pick it up on my way in. Add an extra 20 minutes to my time though. Matter of fact, Ill call you at about 6:00 and get the directions to Vees house and Ill come pick you up.

You dont have to do that. Vee is going to let me borrow her car tonight. So I can just come over there. Remember, I know where you live.

Yeah, I remember, Bette said amused by Layla. Alright then. When I get home, Ill give you a call.

Okay.

Bye, bye.

Bette really didnt know why she was feeling so giddy. It was just movies and a meal. Its probably because you havent had a date in a long time, Porter, Bette thought to herself.

She picked up the food and walked in the door at 5:58. Not too bad, since LA had notoriously bad traffic. She walked over to the phone and dialed the number to Vees

On the second ring, she heard the phone pickup Im on my way right now.

Umm..okay, bye. Bette just stared at the receiver. I must not be the only one thats a little anxious.

She went in the bedroom and changed into some comfortable cargo pants, t-shirt, and flip-flops and came back out to set the table. She hoped Layla liked wine because she had a bottle of Chardonnay that she wanted to open. Just when she got it out of the cabinet, she heard the knock on the door.

Damn that was fast. She looked at her watch and it was 6:10. Vee must live really close.

She sat the bottle on the table by the food and went to the door. When she opened it her mouth could have hit the floor.

Uhh.Tina.what are you doing here?