There was a knock at Tinas door and when she opened it, she saw Bette standing there.

Um, T? You drove tonight, remember?

Oh my gosh! I completely forgot. Im so sorry Bette. Come in, come in.

As Tina ushered Bette back into her apartment, all eyes were on them.

Let me get my keys and Ill drive you home.

No, T just let me call a cab. Its no big deal. You have guests.

Tina was going to protest but a voice behind her said, Let the woman get a cab, that way she can stay here for a bit longer and I can get a better look at her. Adison smiled sweetly in Tinas direction and grabbed the phone, handing it to Tina to call the cab. She snatched it out of Adisons hand, glaring.

She can be stubborn, cant she? Adison asked Bette.

Yes she can but sometimes I think shes met her match with me.

Good. She needs a little kick in the rear sometimes. Mandy laughed.

I hope if youre talking about me youre saying nice things. Tina walked back into the room. Cabs on its way, Bette even though I couldve driven you, no problem.

Bette flashed Adison a look and both women smirked.

What are those looks for?

Oh, Tina we were just commenting on how stubborn you can be. Adison said.

Im not stubborn. Im just forcefully willful… in a good way.

Same thing. Bette shrugged her shoulder.

Bette, youre supposed to be on my side. Tina shot her a look.

Tina, remember that time in college when you were dating that guy, Paul and he made the mistake of saying he could beat you at a video game?

What happened? Bette asked.

They ended up cancelling all their plans for the night while they played that game all night in the dorm until Tina finally won. Adison laughed.

I showed him. Tina nodded and Bette smiled.

Or how about the time our senior year when that professor you hated gave you a C on a paper and you fought her about it until she finally upped it to a B+. That was some stubborn behavior if Ive ever seen it. Mandy took another sip of wine.

Lets not sit here and talk about me, ok? Tina said.

This is fun, though T. I like hearing more about you. Bette giggled.

Tina, Im starting to like this woman. Youd better keep her around. Adison winked at Tina.

Im not going anywhere. Shes stuck with me.

Id say she doesnt mind, do you Tina? Mandy shot Tina a crooked smile.

Ill second that… especially seeing you two when we walked in tonight. You looked like a couple of young teenagers caught in the act. Adison laughed.

Tinas face turned bright red and Bette was too embarrassed to say anything.

Looks like they plead guilty by silence. Dana finally joined the conversation after she hung up her cell phone.

Well, well, well… look who finally decided to join us. Adison invited Dana to sit next to her on the couch. Everything all set for tomorrow then?

All set and ready to go. Sorry guys for jumping on my phone as soon as I walked in the door. I just needed to make sure everything this weekend was still on.

No problem. We know what its like. Tina smiled just as the cab honked outside. Theres your cab Bette.

She stood and said her goodbyes again. As Tina walked her to the door, all three women behind them pretended to be having a conversation, but they were desperately trying to eavesdrop.

Ill miss you tonight. Tina whispered.

Ill miss you more. Bette whispered back. Im looking forward to playing tag with you again soon.

Tina grinned and her stomach dropped in desire and anxiety. Well pick up right where we left off.

Just as Bette was going to lean in and kiss Tina, she said, Um.. looks lke we have an audience.

Tina darted her eyes to her three friends and shrugged, pulling Bette into a soft and simple kiss. Bye.

As she closed the door behind Bette she said, Shows over guys.

You know, Tina just because you were whispering doesnt mean we couldnt hear you. Adison smirked. Tag? Arent you a little old to be playing school girl games?

Tina flushed a second time in the last fifteen minutes. I was having a private conversation.

You were standing right there… the door is not far from here, Tina. If you ask me, you two need to get a room with all your Ill miss you blah blah. Adison rolled her eyes.

Tina sighed and took another glass of wine.

I think its cute, actually. Dana shrugged at Adison.

Thank you Dana. I like you already. So why are you moving to LA?

Well, Im originally from here, I just went to school out east. Actually Im a tennis player and once schools done Im heading out to start competing.

Really? Thats awesome! Ill get to tell everyone I met someone famous.

Not really, but a girl can dream. Dana smiled.

When you come out here youll have to let us know so we can see some matched or something. Mandy said.

Ill miss her when shes gone. Adison frowned. But lets not think about that now. Were going out tomorrow night, right Tina?

Sure. Ill show you around and well hit this great bar. Bette and her friend Alice are going to meet us out.

Yay! More time with Bette. As long as youre not all over each other. Adison shot Tina a look.

I cant make any promises. Tina sassed her right back.


Once Bette got home she changed into her pajamas and stretched out on the couch, leaving the lights off. She wanted to think and reflect on the evening and the last couple of weeks in silence. Meeting Adison was… interesting and Bette had no idea she would be so attractive. She remembered seeing her picture but that was from sophomore year of college and she looked better now, more mature. Bette didnt want to worry about Adison staying with Tina, and her fears were calmed slightly knowing that Dana would be staying with them as well.

The last thing she wanted to be was the jealous girlfriend so she decided to let things go for now and think about how wonderful Tina was. When was the last time she walked on the boardwalk for fun or sat on the beach having casual conversation while the waves played as background music? Bette smiled to herself as she thought of the last time she ate a corndog. It hadnt been since she was a child and thats how Tina made her feel… like a child again. She was full of youth and liveliness once again because of Tina.

Past relationships had been about control but with Tina, it didnt matter. Tina had a free spirit that nobody could break it seemed. Bette loved that, even though Alice had referred to her as a hippie more than once. Bette never wanted to take one moment for granted with her and she quietly made a promise to walk along side of Tina in this relationship instead of trying to lead.

Bette thought tomorrow night would be fun, being able to go out and get to know Tinas friends some more. She wanted to hear all the stories she could about Tinas past. So much was left to be learned… and taught. Doubts started to fill Bettes mind once again about Adison, but she pushed them aside, reassuring herself that tomorrow night Adison would know Tina belonged to Bette and Bette belonged to Tina. There was no more room in that equation for another.