As their lips parted from first contact; Bette’s pulled back slightly and her eyes vulnerably searched for Tina’s but found the distraught hazel gleams averted from her gazes and the quivering lips formed a weak smile in replied. Bette felt the guilt tugged at her heart and try to apologize for her impetuousness

“I’m so….” Bette attempted to say but was unexpectedly silenced by Tina’s forefinger strategically position itself between the sentence and on top of Bette’s half-puckered lips.

Tina just shook her head implying for Bette’s silence while her finger remains on Bette’s lips. Bette’s heart thumped loudly as she nervously awaits Tina next command. Letting her finger do the talking, Tina gently caressed the softness and warmth of those luscious lips that unabashedly ignited a raging fire that left her incoherent in speech and vision. Her heart already knew the answer to Bette’s inquisitive gazes but the mind synapses were paralyzed by the incendiary kiss and all she can mustered in response was a single contact to comfort the woman behind those lips.

“What have you done to me?” Tina finally let out a whisper after a full exploration of Bette’s lips and let her thumb assumed the position on those lips while her palm lovingly cradled the face that held those lips. Their eyes met and lips inch apart, Bette’s eyes danced with delight and this time, Tina’s reciprocated. Reminisced of Bette’s earlier impulsive, Tina’s other hand reached for Bette’s waist, erasing the miniscule distance and captured once again those irresistible lips in a smoldering kiss letting her heart & mind condemning itself in guilty pleasure of the moment.

“Please don’t go” Bette’s earnestly plead recognizing the retreating stance Tina was about to make and held onto Tina’s hand tight waiting for any sign of acceptance.

“I’m sorry Bette but this is not right” Tina said with a sigh “I’m with Eric” and guiltily murmurs as eyes pooled with tears, leaving her defeated hand in Bette’s with shoulders slumped.  Bette’s kiss delicately unhinged her heart so, but the thought of hurting one in the pursuit of another overwhelmed Tina’s mind from wanting to succumbed to that burning desire.

“I understand Tina” Bette gently whispered while raising Tina’s chin up so their eyes met.  Bette’s other hand attended to the few lonely tears making it way down the angelic face and made a heartfelt apology “I’m sorry” with as much reservation her heart can withheld to ease the visible sadness in those hazel eyes.

“Can I drive you home?” Bette delicately asked as the levity of the moment slowly faded and reality returned.  Tina instinctively accepted with a nod.  The drive home was done in relative silence as both women were off in their own thoughts.  Bette berated herself for being too aggressive and faintly hoped that there is a way she can salvage some sort of relationship with Tina, even if just as friend.  Tina, on the other, was deeply immersed in her own chaotic battle between the heart and mind.   Her mind kicks in with “Do the right thing” while the heart screamed “Do thing right” and the battle rage on.  

“Tina”

Tina turned toward a soft voice breaking her stupor, recognizing the voice of the woman that has just turned her world up side down.

“We’re here.” 

Tina again acknowledged the message of her arrival with another nod, as she slowly made her way out of the car, that familiar warm touch once again halted her progress with yet another sincere guilty admission that stabbed at her heart. 

“I’m sorry”

That should have been her apology to Bette for having a compromised heart but was unable to convey her own true feeling with any words; resignedly, she part with a sad smile, a longing gaze, and another regretful nod.  Her hand left the comforting warmth of its counterpart, taking refuge in the uncertainty of this night, while her heart stays entranced in the labyrinth of that kiss.