Bette didn’t stop for an instant, immediately gripping the line for the journey back down. There was still a chance. She pressed the button the instructor showed her and was quickly on her way back down to the ground, and her victory.

Tina snapped out of her reverie when she saw Bette drop down suddenly. After a split second, she realized that Bette had just regained the lead. “Shit.”

She quickly pressed the clutch and bounded off the wall, catching up to Bette and passing her slightly in just a few moments. Bette was still determined to beat Tina at her own bet, and pressed the clutch harder, cutting her more slack. She had no idea where the courage to do this had come from, but after some daring leaps she and Tina were neck and neck and neither were giving in.

Both women touched the ground at the same time, immediately turning to the other and letting one loud, definitive laugh. They glared at one another challengingly, neither breaking the stare until the instructor unhooked their harnesses.

The climbing instructor looked at the two women who had just completed fifty feet in less than seven minutes and chuckled. He looked over at Tina and said, “If you want an outside opinion, I’d say it was a tie.”

Tina leaned over and smiled. “That wouldn’t be any fun, now would it?”

The instructor shook his head, going back to the clip board he held in his hands. Bette and Tina made their way over to a nearby bench, taking off the climbing shoes they rented. After a few moments of silence, Bette spoke up. “So I think I figured out the first thing I want to do.”

Tina scoffed. “No way. I won that round. You’re mine, Bette Porter.”

Bette smirked. “I find that to be completely beside the point, and I’ll have you know that I hit the ground long before you did.”

Tina picked up the shoes and stood up, turning around to face Bette. “I think you’re just a sore loser. The key word here being ‘loser.’ Anybody can tell you that I beat you by a mile.”

Tina walked over to the instructor and handed him her shoes. Bette was right behind her. “I beg to differ.” Bette tapped her chin with her index finger, feigning deep thought. “I think I want to go see the new exhibit at MOCA, then maybe we could go to – “

“Hold your horses there. Haven’t you forgotten?” Tina hooked her arm into Bette’s and led them away from the scene of the competition.

Bette knit her brow. “Forgotten what?”

Bette and Tina leisurely walked out of the park and strolled the three blocks to Bette’s car. “Well,” she began, “how about we go to your place and you show me those many skills you’ve been bragging about?”

Bette’s eyebrow shot up, a seductive glint sharpening her eyes. “Why, Tina, so soon? Why I barely know you.”

Tina rolled her eyes, and shoved Bette playfully. “Cook for me.”

Bette laughed at this request. “On my resume of skills, I think you’ll find that one aptly absent; however, I have surprisingly talented fingers.” She pressed the unlock button on her keypad and opened her door.

Tina involuntarily did a small double take when she processed what Bette said, not catching the end of her statement. “I’m sorry, what?”

Bette looked at her strangely. “I said I can dial any restaurant you desire.”

Tina laughed, desperately wishing that the blush she felt on her cheeks was a figment of her imagination. She quickly recouped and climbed in the car. “Well if you can’t cook – and speed-dialing does not count as cooking – then what are your talents?”

Bette looked over at Tina and smiled proudly. “I give massages.”

Tina grinned back at Bette, trying to ignore the knots automatically forming in her stomach at the thought of Bette’s hands on her bare skin. “Do you now?”

Bette nodded, then turned the ignition. “And seeing as I won, I say that you come to my place so I can show you exactly how skilled I am.”

Tina wondered fleetingly if all the innuendo was just in her imagination. She cocked her head slightly, a small smile appearing on her lips. “Well since I was going to invite myself over anyway, why not? Besides, I think that, as the winner, I deserve a little induced relaxation. Wouldn’t you say?”

Bette shook her head and pulled out into traffic. “I’m the winner.” She mumbled, smiling to herself as she headed to her house.