“So why didn’t you?”  Shane took another sip.

“Because she has a boyfriend.  I think she’s attracted to me.  She sort of hinted at it during dinner , but she wants to just be friends and I’m fine with that, but…”

“Are you?”

“Am I what?”

“Fine with being friends?”

“Yes.  No.  Maybe?”  Bette laughed, “I’m afraid that this is…that this is more that what I bargained for.”

“How do you mean?”  Shane turned to look at Bette, pulling her legs up to her chest.

“I’ve never been good at relationships, you know.  Not in the same way that you haven’t been.  I ‘m too driven by my work and my career.  I’ve never wanted to sacrifice my  work or my time for anyone else.”

“But you ‘d be willing to sacrifice it for Tina?”

“I can’t stop thinking about her.  I tried to sleep and all I can hear is her soft laughter in my head.  All I can see is the way she flails her arms around when she talks,” Bette demonstrates Tina’s gesturing and Shane laughs, “she’s so damn cute.”

“You think you’re falling in love with her, don’t you?”

“That’s crazy.  Isn’t it?  I mean, we’ve known each other 2 days.”

“Maybe the two of you are soul mates.”

“Maybe,” Bette drained the last of her bottle and picked up another, only to think better of it, placing it back with the others.

“Look, Bette.  I’m the last person to give you advice on relationships, but…just stop trying to control everything – what you feel, what she feels.  Just let it be.  And if you two are meant to be together, then it will happen.  Just enjoy whatever time you spend together and wait and see.”  Shane stood, pulling Bette to her feet.

“I love you Shane.  You’re such a good friend, do you know that?”  Bette squeezed Shane’s hand and gave her a peck on the cheek.

“Love you too, girlie.  And I’m no better a friend than you are to me.  Try to get some sleep.”

*

Tina stared at the clock on her night table which read 2:15am.  She and Bette hadn’t left the restaurant until around ten, and then lingered outside in the parking lot for at least another hour.  Her head was swimming.  She had been honest with Bette at the restaurant, she felt as though she was coming unraveled. Had she always been attracted to women on some level?  Or was it just Bette?  The intelligent, funny, bring-you-to-your-knees sexy Bette that had consumed every thought – waking and sleeping – since that night at the club.  Tina bolted upright in the bed.  She had to call Eric. Tell him she needed space.  Some time to think.  Which would allow her in good conscious to pursue what ever she was going to try and pursue with Bette.

“Hello?”  Tina was not prepared to hear the sleepy female voice on the phone.

“Is Eric there? I’m sorry, I must have the wrong number.” 

“No wait…..Eric there’s some woman on the phone for you”

The phone shook in Tina’s angry hand.  This was going to be a lot easier than she thought.

“Hello?”  Eric answered sleepily.

“Eric, it’s Tina.  Guess you’re not too upset with me not being able to join you this weekend.  It’s over.  We’re done.”  Tina ended the call and placed the phone on her bed.  She was happier than she had been in over 5 years.  Eric was the past.  Now she would start thinking about her future.

TBC…