Once they settled up their tabs, Bette and Tina said goodbye to the friends remaining at the Planet. Tina followed closely behind Bette out to the parking lot, struggling with her desire to reach for the taller woman’s hand. It had been a number of months since they had driven together in the same vehicle. The blonde could feel her stomach doing somersaults at the thought of being in such close proximity with her ex again.

Bette, on the other hand, was preoccupied with thoughts of her sister to pay too much attention to Tina’s anxiety. She hoped that Papi would do right by Kit and make sure she was safe. She absent-mindedly unlocked the door to her Lexus SUV and opened the passenger-side door for Tina.

“Thank you.” Tina said as she hoisted herself into the front seat.

“No problem.” Bette replied, shutting the door carefully once Tina was all the way in.

With a deep breath, Tina closed her eyes, trying to pull herself together a bit. Setting her purse down, she checked herself in the visor mirror and saw the flushed cheeks that gave away her lack of sobriety. She quickly flipped up the visor as if ignoring her reflection would make her slightly inebriated state disappear.

Bette slid into the driver’s seat and started up the engine. She looked toward Tina who was looking out her window to avoid eye contact.

“You ready?” the brunette asked in a quiet voice.

“I’m ready when you are.” Tina boldly stated, meeting Bette’s gaze and hoping that the double meaning behind her declaration would be understood.

Bette quickly averted her eyes, turning her head to look behind them as her right hand reached for the back of Tina’s headrest. Tina could smell the familiar scent of Bette’s perfume and swallowed thickly. Reversing the car, Bette maneuvered her SUV out of the Planet parking lot and onto the road.

Tina was almost thankful that she lived on the West side, which meant that the ride would be that much longer. She folded her hands in her lap and leaned her head against the seat as she closed her eyes.

“You feeling okay?” Bette asked, ready to pull over if Tina gave the word.