Chapter Eleven

Bette Porter POV

“So, were you ever going to tell Ian about us?” Bette asked, a bit irritated. She had just called James to tell him he’d have to cope with everything alone. She knew it wasn’t fair, but this thing with Tina wouldn’t allow her concentration to go to her job anyway. Why hadn’t told Ian? Was she ashamed?

“Yes, I was,” Tina said. Bette could see she was really struggling with it, but she wouldn’t let Tina get away with it. It hurt her that she hadn’t told Ian, it would have been such a logical thing to do. He kept on asking her out and she always had something else to do, or she was having a headache, or she was feeling sick. “It’s just, it’s not easy,” she continued. “I work together with him, you see.”

“The more a reason you should tell him. Just to clear things up. You know, I thought we were having something. I know it’s only a week, but I really feel strongly for you, Tina. I have been feeling this longer than a week, you know that. I thought you liked me for longer, too.”

“Like you? I love you.”

An awkward silence fell. This was the first time one of them told the other she loved her. Normally, Bette would have said ‘I love you too’, but she just couldn’t do it right now, not under these circumstances. For the moment, she didn’t know what she felt.

“So, why is the fact that he’s a collegue of yours a reason not to tell him about us?”

“He has got a more important function than me. He’s this stand – in, and he’s really good. He’s a big name in the movie world and we are really lucky to have him. If I let him down, if I reject him, he could make me lose my job.”

“So your job is more important than I am?”

“Bette, come on, this isn’t fair. You know that’s not true. And how does it affect you if I tell Ian about us or not?”

“It’s just… are you ashamed of me? Is that it?”

“Of course not! I am so damn proud of you, Bette. I am so damn proud to be able to call you my girlfriend.”