Umthank you.

Youre welcome.

UmI think I need to go.

Are you sure?

Tina was rooted to the spot, her jaw slack and her eyes wide from surprise and confusion. As she glanced from Bettes eyes to her mouth and back again, she struggled with what to say next. I need to meet someone for lunchI really have to go. She finally managed to say. She grabbed her purse out of the chair and turned on her heel, heading straight for the door, even though she was so shaken, she wasnt sure where exactly it was at the moment. She could feel Bettes gaze on her back and quickened her step. Tina, excuse me! Bettes call paralyzed her in mid-gait; *****, she thought to herself, but she still turned around with an uncomfortable grin on her face. Bette was walking over to her with what looked like invitations in her hand. Theres going to be another artists party in a couple of weeks; I hope you and Eric can make it, Bette smiled broadly as she offered the crme colored cards to Tina.

Tina chuckled uncomfortably and grabbed a hold of the cards, but instead of loosening her grip, Bette tugged on them lightly, causing Tina to take an involuntary small step forward. I really hope I get to see you again, Bette said in a low, breathy voice. Tina just looked at her feet and gently pulled the cards from Bettes grasp, Im sure Eric would love to come. She looked up at Bette quickly, forcing another small smile and turned around making her way to the door as quickly as she could with breaking into a jog. She stuffed the cards and her rogue earring into her purse as she sprinted across the street to reach her car. She unlocked the door in a feverish rush, and once inside clutched her chest. She felt short of breath and her heart was beating so fast she was afraid it would eventually come out of her chest. Shitfuckoh, God, she groaned to herself in the car. She dropped her head to the steering wheel, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

One of the most beautiful women she had ever met in her life kissed her on the lips, and she didnt stop her, in fact, I think I kissed her back, she said to herself out loud, Oh, God I kissed her back! What the ***** is wrong with me? She couldnt believe it, she was straight; she had always been attracted to men. But this Bette Porter was something else. Tina was taken with her as soon as she saw her. She was so smart, confident, andsexy? Tina shook her head in disbelief as she sat up and rested her head on the back of the seat. She closed her eyes, It was nothingno big dealjust chalk it up to experienceshe was just trying to test me, see if I was into thatbut Im not, Im straight, she thought. Tina placed her hand on her chest once again, glad that her breathing was returning to normal. A tap on her window startled her out of her thoughts and caused her heart to race again. It was Bette and she looked concern. She signaled for Tina to lower her window, but since the car was off, Tina just opened the door and cautiously got out.

Im sorry, I just wanted to make sure you were okay, Bette said as she gently stroked Tinas arm. Tina pulled away and leaned against her car, Im fineI was justumfiguring out where I needed to go first. You were meeting a friend for lunch, Bette said. What? Oh, rightbut I just remembered I had some errands to run firstand was trying to figure outifif Tinas voice trailed off as she watched the traffic and tried to figure out how to finish her lie. Im sorry if what happened back there upset you, Bette said taking a step closer and crossing her arms. Oh, its fineIm fine, really, Tina smiled wide and reached for the car door handle, but Ive really gotta get goingthanks for the invitations! She jumped into the car and started it quickly; giving Bette one last quick smile, she peeled out onto the street.

At a restaurant

I think Ill have the pasta saladwhat do you want Tina? Tina? Eric tapped her hand gently with the corner of his menu. Whatoh, sorryIll have the garden salad. Tina was sitting absentmindedly with her chin rested on her hand and looking out the window. Are you okay? Eric asked as he took her free hand in both of his. Yeah, Im fine, she said as she gave him a small smile. He arched his eyebrow and gave her a knowing look, I know whats wrong with you. Tina swallowed against a dry throat and looked at him intently, How the ***** can he know? she thought panicked. You went back to the gallery and he stopped, causing Tinas heart to lurch with suspense. The earring wasnt there, he finished giving Tinas hand a little pat of consolation. Tina released the breath she was holding and smiled at him, No thats not itI got the earring back. Eric looked at her expectantly, waiting for the real reason Tina was so far gone. We just got news about this new project that might be coming our way, and were just gonna be so swampedits a little disconcerting. The part about the new project wasnt a lie, but the part that it was her primary concern was.

Eric waved his hand at her concern, Youll be fineYOU have nothing to worry about. He gave her an encouraging smile and then launched into a story about a producer who was getting sued by both his wife and his mistress at the same time. Tina nodded and her face gave the impression that she was paying close attention, but her mind was still in the Bette Porter gallery, in Bettes office. In her mind she was kissing Bette over and over again. She kept replaying the scene again and again in her head for the rest of the day, in her afternoon meeting and on her drive home. She walked into her second floor apartment and carefully put her bag and briefcase on the dining table, then walked over to the couch and sat down. She removed her wayward earring from her jacket pocket and stared at it. She took her shoes off with her feet and continued staring at the earring for a little while longer. She tossed it onto the coffee table, It was just a kissno big deal, she said to herself.

Late at the Bette Porter gallery

Yeahwell, Im sorry, Alice Ive got work to get donelike this other party thats coming up in a few weeksyes, of course youre invited, provided you dont flirt with everything that has a pulse. Bettes irritated tone gave way to laughter as Alice made a joke, asking permission to at least get her rocks off with some abstract paintings. Listen, Ive got another callyeah, that sounds goodof course Ill rememberfine! She opened her drawer and retrieved her day planner, Im writing it down as we speakIve got another call, bye! Bette pushed the button on her office phone as she continued to write in her lunch date with Alice, Bette Porter gallery, she answered. Hello, came a hesitant voice. Yes, can I help you? Bette replied in a pleasant voice. Hiumthis is Tina Kennardum, Erics girlfriend.

Bette sat up in her chair, as if a metal rod had suddenly substituted her spine, Yes, hello Tina, its nice to hear your voice, Bette wasnt lying, there was something about Tinas voice that she just loved. She recalled watching Tinas mouth closely as they discussed different pieces at the artists party, almost memorizing the shape it would assume when Tina said certain words. Yeahuhthankslisten, I dont mean to interrupt you or anything Tina began, but Bette interrupted her. Trust me, youre not interrupting, please tell me what I can do for you. Tina arched her brow, wondering if there was a hidden meaning to Bettes words, but she continued, Well, I just wanted to thank you for the invitationsit was very kind of youbut I just cant accept themIm really sorry, she cringed slightly as she apologized. Even though she had spent the better part of the day thinking about this woman, she just knew she was straight and felt guilty about leading her on.

Well, are you sureI thought you enjoyed the last one? Bette asked slightly confused by Tinas request and eager to hear her response. Well, its just thatgiven the circumstancesI dont think it would be right to accept them, Tina answered in a firm tone but with usual her soft voice. And what circumstance would those be? Bette continued. Tina scoffed softly, I think you know exactly what Im talking about. Bette placed her elbows on her desk and leaned forward:

Bette: About that

Tina: Listen, you dont have to say anythingbut I just want you to know that Im notIm not interestedin youlike thatIm sorry.

Bette: Please dont apologize, I understandIm sorry I put you in an uncomfortable situation.

Tina: Its alrightno serious harm done.

Bette: Please accept the invitationI would feel awful if myactionsprevented youand Eric from coming.

Tina twirled her hair in contemplation. Everything was out in the clear, there was no ambiguity anymore and Eric would love to go, he loved these events and he worshipped Bette. Im sure Eric would love to go, she finally answered after several beats. And youll be joining him I hope, Bette asked as she played with a rubber band with her fingers. Ill do my bestlisten, I have to go, but thanks for everything, Tina said praying that this would be the end of the conversation. Ill see you in a couple of weeks, Bette replied, in the same pleasant voice with which she had answered the phone. Bette heard the faint click signaling the end of the call and chuckled to herself. She hung up the phone and stared at it for a while thinking to herself, God, she is so beautiful, how did Eric ever find her? I need to see her again; I couldnt have just imagined the fact that she kissed me back. Maybe its a bad idea, she did say shes not interestedbut thats always bullshit, I should know. Theres gotta be some way I can make sure to see her again. And just then a large smile crept across Bettes lips as she shuffled through the pages of her day planner. There you are, she said happily as she marked the page with her finger. She dialed the number quickly and waited for an answer, HelloEric, this is Bette PorterIm fine, thank you, and youthats greatlisten, I was just making sure that you got the invitation to the next artists party