“Are you…" the Yale graduate shifted her weight between both feet “am I going to see you at that opening tonight?”

“Yes,” the blonde answered a little to quickly.  “Uh – Brenda’s keen on dancing the night away.”

“Oh.”

“Oh?”

“Nothing, I … how are things with the surgeon?” 

“Fine.  She’s fun.”

“I gathered.”  From Alice’s comment.  Knowing one detail too many.  Sleeping with her on the first date.  Talking, well…how she talked while they…

Bette thought back to the day Tina was on the lounger.  How she had to turn her head away and try to concentrate on the magazine she was flipping through.  Feigning interest in the illustrations and non-interest in the woman who was practically naked in her pool. 

Taunting her.  Soliciting information on something she wasn’t really sure she wanted to know.

“It’s been a while…” she led to encourage a particular disclosure.

Tina didn’t comply.  Instead she left.  But not before reminding Bette of the periods of time when they purposely starved themselves of each other’s touch.  How after a while they didn’t miss it overtly.  When less important things were prioritized before substantial ones.

But now…

She couldn’t help but think Brenda was so incredibly fortunate.  How she was free to touch, kiss and make love to Tina as she pleased.  Bette coughed on the back of her hand.  She felt the air weigh heavily around her almost instantly.  Pressing against every part without hope of escape from the drowning sensation.  There was an undeniable emotion that warmed her skin. 

Jealousy.  The kind that tortured and offset one’s inner tranquility.

Bette looked up to find her ex’s eyes watching her.  It was all she could do to withhold the question of whether she had spent more than just one night with that woman.  The brunette shook her head and reminded herself she was with the artist.  For whom she traveled across the country to display her commitment.

“I’m going with Kit,” she continued with a stronger voice “and Jodi of course.”

Tina blinked.  “Of course.”

Hurriedly, she imposed on the brief stillness.  “Okay then.  I’ll see you later.”

—

“Do you need something?”

Tina’s left eye narrowed with purpose.  Her head hurt.  Indeed pills would help alleviate the relentless pounding.  Nodding slowly she approved the suggestion.  She glanced at her watch.  In two hours Kit would be expecting her to gather Angelica and the need for a remedy became more pressing.