Bette smiles at the memories as she slides her arms around Tina’s waist. “Mm… Seville…”

Tina giggles, her eyes sparkling. “We barely got outta bed that trip, baby…” Her smile widens as another memory comes to mind. “Barcelona… when we got caught in the rain, remember?”

Bette lets out a soft laugh. “Do I?” She leans closer and whispers something into Tina’s ear.

Whatever Bette says causes Tina’s cheeks to warm. She laughs softly, tightening her arms around Bette as she looks up at her with an affectionate smile. For a moment, the two women seem completely oblivious to the fact that they’re standing in a room full of people.

Their friends watch the familiar exchange with varying degrees of amusement.

Alice shakes her head as she continues trying on Tina’s jewelry. “I swear those two live in their own fairy-tale book…”

Tina keeps her arms around Bette’s waist as she turns toward Alice, raising her brows. “You wanna tell me why you’re parading around in my jewelry?”

Alice shrugs, completely unapologetic. “I have a hot date with my woman… I’m wearing this cute number and these…” She gestures toward the necklace and diamond hoops she’s borrowed from Tina’s jewelry box. “Would be perfect for Tasha to peel off me along with the tight red dress I’m wearing…”

Tina chuckles and shakes her head. “Nope…”

Alice pouts. “You’re no fun…”

Before Tina can respond, the sound of little feet pounding across the floor draws everyone’s attention. Angie and Mickey come running into the foyer, making a beeline for their mothers.

“We’re hungry…” Angie announces, looking up at her parents.

Tina smiles and gently brushes a few loose strands of hair away from her daughter’s face. “I know, we’re gonna take a break soon, sweetie…”

“K…” Angie replies. She turns toward her little brother. “Come on, Mickey, we have to finish building the fort…”

“Yeah!” Mickey shouts enthusiastically. He hurries after his sister as they disappear into another part of the house.

Alice watches the children run off, then turns back toward Tina, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Ya know, I’m glad things worked out the way they did with Tash; otherwise I would have had to ‘drop’ a piece of jewelry to get her attention like a certain cheeky blonde did on a gallery floor years ago…”