Tina checked her reflection in the mirrored elevator doors as they closed in front of her. She didnt look nearly as nervous as she felt, which was good. She wanted to appear calm and certain. Not rattled. She was doing the right thing. She was sure of it. Tina needed to be honest with Eric. And she needed to do that sooner rather than later.

The necessity of this discussion became apparent to Tina in all of its crystal clarity that very afternoon. She and Bette had lingered together over lunch, totally unable to pull themselves away from each other.

Do you like running your own business? Tina asked, pushing her food around on her plate, paying more attention to the lovely face across the table than the cooling salmon in front of her.

I enjoy working with the artists and helping them get their work into the world, Bette mused, swirling the water in her glass. I love the strategy that goes into booking shows, the competitive part of staying on top of trends. But the business end? The accounting and the taxes and the marketing? I do it. But Im not as interested in it. Ironically, those are the things that take up more and more of my time.

Its strange, isnt it? The reward for doing a thing really well is to advance into a position where you dont get to do that thing at all.

Is that how it is with you? Bette asked, caressing Tinas hand briefly, a mere whisper of skin on skin. But it was enough to make Tinas pulse quicken at her throat.

Were small enough so that I can still be very hands on. I dont know what Ill do if that changes. Right now, though? Its fun and dynamic. Gratifying.

It shows. You should see your face when you talk about something that excites you. Youre positively radiant, Bette smiled.

Im a really bad poker player, Tina admitted ruefully.

Bette laughed, her dark eyes flashing. But a really good flirt.

Every conversation with Bette was a revelation. Every casual physical contact between them made Tina wonder what it would be like to have Bettes strong, graceful hands touching her more deliberately. And then there were the kisses. When their lips met, Tina was completely possessed by Bette. She willingly gave over all of her self-control to this woman. And she was certain that in those moments, with their bodies pressed close, sharing one breath, that she possessed Bette as well. Tina felt like a schoolgirl, drunk on her first crush. But in her heart, she understood what she was feeling for Bette was more than a crush. And it was this realization that was making Tina nervous. Not the impending breakup with Eric.

“Hey Tina,” Eric said, getting up to greet her as she stood in the doorway of his office. “What a perfect way to end the day. Want to grab something to eat?”

Tina offered him her cheek to kiss and wandered in to sit in the black leather client chair opposite his desk. “We need to talk,” she said.

“Can we do it over dinner?” Eric asked, collecting the papers hed been working on and slipping them into his attach.

“I think we should do it now.”

Eric looked at her for a moment before nodding briefly, then walking over to shut the door. “Okay. Well do it now.”

Tina watched him lean against the closed door and fold his arms across his chest. He had his game face on. The same cool, impenetrable expression hed worn when she first met him across a conference room table at Alphaville almost a year ago. Jaw set. Eyes flat. He already knew.

“I met someone,” Tina said.

“Okay.” His voice was unreadable. It was probably the tone he used when negotiating contracts for his clients.

“I wasnt looking. It just happened. But now that it has, I I have very strong feelings for this person, and I need to explore that.”

The only sound in the room was the ticking of the antique wooden clock sitting at the edge of Erics desk. And the noise was deafening.

“Youre sure? I mean, is this something we can try to fix? Or is your mind made up?”

“Im sorry, Eric. Youre a great guy, and the past months have been wonderful. But my mind is made up.”

Are youin love? He flinched when he said it, as if it cost him something merely to speak it out loud.

Tina swallowed hard, unsure how to explain exactly what it was that she was feeling. She owed him that. As much honesty as she was capable of. I dont know. I think I could be.

Eric paused for a beat, then stepped away from the door and opened it. “Well. I guess thats it, then.”

Tina stood up, suddenly weary, and slung her briefcase strap over her shoulder. “Maybe we can”

“Tina,” Eric interrupted. “Please dont, okay?”

She nodded wordlessly and walked past him, out the door, and into the hallway, her unshed tears making everything in her path soft and blurry.