‘Can I join?’ 

Bette looked at Tina. Tina had gone to galleries with Bette quite a lot, especially when they were in college. But when they left college and Tina got a job in the movie industry, they hadn’t done any of that. 

‘Sure.’ Bette nodded. 

Bette tried to focus back on her neighbors story, because she was quite fond of the idea of not having to deal with Jenny for a couple of weeks. She was trying to find an easy way to subtly say they needed to take their time and maybe consider staying there for more than just a couple of weeks, maybe months? 

‘Bette’ Tina whispered again. 

Bette looked at her again, noticing the way she said ‘Bette’ had some trembling in her voice.

‘It’s fine. Whatever.’ 

Helena noticed the two next to her, considering she was also the only one of the group to know how Bette felt about Tina, she tried helping her friend, knowing she would probably later on be mad at her, to move on. 

‘So Bette, how is Jodie ?’ Helena asked. 

Immediately everyone looked at Bette, Bette at Helena. 

‘She’s good.’ she said

‘I bet she’s good’ Alice said. 

‘I bet she’s really good. I’m surprised she’s alive and you didn’t actually eat her.’ 

‘Well, Al, I bet she ate her’ Shane said with a wide grin. 

Tina looked confused. How did she not know who Jodie was? Why had her best friend not told her about a woman she was seeing, when not only everyone else knew, but had also met the girl? 

‘I’m not listening’ Bette said 

‘Come on you dog, you always talk to us about your sex life.’ 

Now Tina got mad, she had tried to talk to her friend about her sex life for years, but the brunette had always shut her down. Sometimes Tina could say something about her sex life but the brunette seemed to just nod her head sometimes and say something very little, but she had never told Tina anything about her own adventures or desires. And now, hearing her so-called best friend had shared that with their other friends hurt Tina, more than it should. Did she not tell her because she didn’t sleep with women, but then again, Bette listened to her talking about men. 

‘Great then just talk’ Helena said. 

‘She’s nice, she’s really friendly and a great artist.’ 

‘But you don’t love her’ Carmen said with a sigh, knowing the brunette had never loved anyone before.

‘Well, I think you should keep fucking her. She made you smile often, Bette, and she wanted to know all about you.’ Helena replied. 

Tina’s disappointment grew, so they had really met Jodie where they had actually really all talked to her. It wasn’t a quick: ‘hello, who are you’ kind of conversation. 

‘Yeah, I guess’ Bette replied. ‘Anyway, I’m done talking about me, I’m heading home.’ 

‘Ow, Bette? Can I tag along? Henry dropped me off and took the car.’ 

‘Sure’ Bette nodded. 

When they walked outside, Tina grabbed Bette’s arm and followed her outside. When Bette walked to the driver’s seat, Tina was still standing behind her. 

‘T..’ Bette said.

Tina nodded against Bette’s back. 

‘You’re going to have to let me go, if you want me to drive.’

‘I just miss you’ Tina said quietly.

‘I’m right here T’ 

Tina turned Bette around and looked up to the taller brunette. 

‘Can I have a hug?’ 

Bette smiled kindly, cocking her head slightly to the side. 

‘Always’ she said 

Gripping the blonde around the waist and pulling her closer to her. 

‘Bette, can I stay with you tonight?’ 

Bette loosened her grip a bit and looked at Tina. 

‘It’s just Henry is probably going to be super drunk, and I miss hanging out like we used to’ 

Bette took a lock of hair from Tina’s face and put it behind her ear and nodded. 

‘Yeey’ Tina yelled quietly.