“Is it because of something I did?”

“No.”  Bette’s voice was low as she tried to soothe any misunderstanding, “No of course not.”

The one she spoke to was visibly upset.  Hazel eyes teared up and although Tina blinked the wetness away she couldn’t quite control the emotion that overflowed. 

“Then why?”

Why indeed. 

Certainly it wasn’t because of a lack of interest.  On the contrary an awareness was so potent that each could almost smell and taste it.  Nor was it because she didn’t see a future with this woman.  Bette did actually.  Maybe she pictured it too clearly even.

How had Bette rationalized this conclusion exactly?  In the seconds that ticked by she searched her companion’s sad gaze while the reasons churned in the darker female’s mind.

Reason number one: Tina was considerably younger.

Bette had gotten involved with her fair share of women but more often than not envisioned her future with a peer and or colleague.  Someone who could relate to her ambition with an intelligence that would intrigue and complement.  While age did not necessarily equate it was likely this indicated a level of maturity, right?

Reason number two: this was new for Tina. 

Excessively new.  She was still searching for herself apparently.  If it took this length of time to venture to the ‘other side’ that had to be the case, right?

Reason number three: she was too busy. 

The gallery owner didn’t have time to develop nor devote to a relationship necessarily.  A single night enjoyed in someone’s arms had been enough for quite some time now and that worked.  These women were attractive and smart – though admittedly it would be a stretch to categorize a few as such.  This type of arrangement was enough and all she could sustain it seemed.  Her longest relationship, prior to this entanglement with Tina was at most six weeks over the last few years.  No time, right?

Reason number four, this had potential to completely overwhelm her. 

Her work. 

Her life. 

Her heart. 

Now that was definitely right.

“You’re young and…” An Ivy League education was not evident as she attempted to explain while silencing the additional arguments at the moment.  However the articulated reason was one that obviously irritated the woman she faced.