RING RING RING

Hello?

Tina?

Yeah

Hey its Jill

Oh my goshhi how are you?

Tina leaned back in her desk chair and looked around her office smiling. Jill was an old friend from college and Tina hadnt heard from her in years. She figured that Jill got her number from someone in the industry since she knew that Jill was a publicist for a major firm.

Im doing good Tinahows everything with you?

Everything is great

Ahh someone is in love

Tina just laughed as she felt the smile grow on her face. Jill had always been one of those friends who you didnt have to see every day or talk to often but they were a solid presence in your life and were always there whenever you needed them. Tina and Jill had been roommates freshman year at UCLA until Jill transferred to NYU but they had kept in touch all through college and the years following.

Yeah yeahwell what about you?

What about me? You know my take on love Tina

Oh yeahlove happens or it doesnt so theres no use in worrying about it

Thats right.

So are you in LA or am I getting one expensive call from a very busy publicist on the east coast?

Actually Im in town for the week and was wondering if you wanted to have dinner one night?

Sounds great Jillwhen are you free?

How about tonight?

Okaytonight sounds goodwhere are you staying?

Four seasons

Okay Ill pick you up at eight. Aw its so good to hear from you again Jill

You too Tinaokay see you tonight

Tina hung up and smiled broadly. As mature and adult as Tina was when her and Jill got together it was like they were little kids or something and even though they were both in their early thirties it never stopped them from having fun. Jill was such a free spirit and she was so open minded it made her almost shine with a glow that seemed to attract people left and right. Tina glanced at the clock and decided to call it an early day so she could head home and shower before meeting Jill.

At five thirty Tina was pulling into the drive way the same time Bette was. Tina noticed the bags of food that Bette had and she had a sinking feeling that Bette had hoped they could spend tonight together. Tina had assumed that Bette would be working late tonight since she had been working late for the past week and she hoped that this would not turn into a fight. Bette grinned at Tina and held up the bags of food as she opened the front door. Tina walked up to her and kissed her hello before setting her bags down and helping Bette carry everything inside. Bette just smiled at Tina as she set her own bag down and started taking the food out.

Hi babyhave a good day at work?

YeahIm surprised youre home so early

Well with the show opening this weekend I decided to take a night offfigured we could have dinner together

Umwell I kind of have plansJill is in town

Bette looked slightly dumbfounded as she tried to remember who the heck Jill was. Tina stared at Bette impatiently until it seemed to click in Bettes head who Tina was talking about. Bette just smiled wearily at Tina.

Oh your old roommate?

Yeahshes in town and Im having dinner with her tonight

Oh?

Yeahsorry babe but you didnt let me know you were bringing home dinnershe called me at the office to see if I was busy

Oh okaywell I guess Ill just eat all this by myself then while you go off with your friends

Bette just slammed the bag of food she had in her hand down and stormed off to the bedroom. Tina sighed as she walked to the bathroom and took a warm shower to calm her down. She didnt like the fact that Bette was mad that Tina had made plans without her, but Tina just hoped that Bette would let it go by the end of tonight. Tina got out of the shower and put her robe on as she walked to the bedroom. She got dressed and headed out to the living room and didnt say anything to Bette as she walked out of the house and into her car. An hour and a half later she was sitting in front of the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills and she was debating if she should just call up to Jills room and see if she was ready early or if she should just wait. Her problems were solved however when her cell phone went off and she saw Jills cell phone number on the caller ID. Tina picked up the phone and told Jill she was already there so Jill said she would be right down. They were just going to have dinner at the hotel and possibly drinks after and twenty minutes later they were both sitting in the restaurant and had just ordered their meals as the waiter brought their glasses of wine to the table. Tina took a long sip of her chardonnay and just stared absentmindedly at the table as Jill watched Tina. Finally Jill broke the silence.

T? Whats wrong?

NothingIm sorryIve just had one of those days

Jill studied Tina long and hard before leaning back and letting a small smile creep across her face.

What did he do?

What?

Tina looked up in surprise at Jills question. She knew that Jill had known about Eric but she wasnt sure if Jill knew they broke up and more importantly why they broke up. Tina had never hid anything from Jill in the past but suddenly she was nervous about having to tell Jill about her new love interest. Tina leaned back wearily.

Oh nothingI mean there is no he who did anything wrong

Oh? I could have sworn I heard the sound of love in your voice earlier today

Oh wellum

Haha give it up Kennardwho is he?

Well

Oh come on youve never held back before

Well um

Tina bit her lip a little as she tried to decide what to say. She knew she could trust Jill with anything and Tina felt almost silly for being so shy with her. Maybe it was the fact that once Jill knew about her and Bette her life would be a little different. It wouldnt just be her friends now who knew she was in a ***** relationship, now it would be old friends too and that thought made her a little uneasy. She wasnt ashamed of it and she certainly wasnt ashamed of Bettebut it still took some getting used to. Tina sighed and leaned forward like she had some big secret to reveal.

Okay Jillthis is the thingyes Im in a relationship and yes Im in lovebut its with umwell its not with a he

Jill looked at Tina thoughtfully for a second before smiling again and leaning back in her chair.

Aww Tina thats great. How long?

Umalmost two years

And how come Ive had to fly my ***** out to LA to find this out?

Tina laughed as she relaxed and took another sip of wine. This is what she absolutely loved about Jillher ability to make any uncomfortable or embarrassing situation totally okay.

Well? Im waiting I want details Tina

Well her name is Betteshes about five eight

No nonot those kind of detailswhats she like? Is she nice? Does she make you laugh?

Tina smiled again and felt the familiar warmth spread throughout her body as she thought about Bette. Even though at that very moment things between her and Bette may not be completely kosher nonetheless Tina loved Bette very much and she couldnt wait for Jill to meet her. Tina took the last sip of her wine before giving Jill a brief description of Bette.

Well shes an amazing person Jill. She has a personality thats tougher than nails and a temper to match. But she has such a gentle heartthe way she laughs, her voice, her smilethey can all make me melt within secondsand shes smartway smart, and funny, and intelligent, and perfect

By the time Tina was done she was absolutely glowing and Jill had to laugh at how happy Tina looked.

Careful Kennard or you might burst

Tina just stuck her tongue out at Jill who proceeded to tease Tina for being such a sap. Their food arrived shortly and soon the conversation had turned to their families and other old friends. After dinner Tina decided to skip drinks after promising she would bring Bette with her next time and the three of them could have drinks before Jill went back to NY. On the drive home Tina felt like she was floating, like she had fallen in love with Bette all over again and suddenly she couldnt wait to get home and be with Bette. She parked the car and flew inside looking for her girlfriend and found her sound asleep in bed. Tina changed into her pajamas and after locking up the house she crawled into bed next to Bette who unconsciously reached out for Tina and held her close as she draped one arm over Tinas waist. Tina studied Bettes face in the moonlight and after a few seconds Bette opened her eyes in surprise to find Tina right next to her. Tina smiled at Bette who returned the smile and Tina simply kissed Bette on the lips and lightly brushed her nose against Bettes as a sign of apology. This was something Tina always did when she either felt bad about something or wanted something from Bette and Bette just smiled when Tina finally pulled back.

How was dinner?

GoodI love you

I love you too baby

Tina snuggled into Bette as sleep crept over her and soon both women were fast asleep both holding onto the other tightly in a loving embrace. There would be many more nights that ended like this one and many that ended differently but in the end none of that matters. Like Jill said, love happens or it doesnt and for Tinashe knew that in her heartit definitely had.