(Bette) Exclusive, for one

Tina frowns as she listens.

(Bette) And not casual, for another

Tina raises her eyebrows.

(Tina) A relationship then?

Bette shrugs.

(Bette) I don’t think that’s the worst description for how we’ve been behaving

Bette watches as Tina’s eyes start to wander the room. She reaches towards her and places her hand on Tina’s forearm and smiles at her.

(Bette) Tee, stop panicking

Tina smiles back at her.

(Tina) I’m not panicking

(Bette laughs) Well stop looking at the door then

Tina raises her eyebrows and laughs.

(Tina) Sorry, force of habit I guess

Bette smiles and shakes her head.

(Bette) You even gave the window a long look. I don’t know why that would be necessary

Tina laughs and holds her hand over her eyes. She lowers her hand and they smile at each other.

(Tina) You never know

Bette smiles and reaches towards her, placing her hand on Tina’s waist.

(Bette) You came here to ask me what I want from you, and I’m telling you. If it’s not something that works for you, or that you can give me, then we’re in the same position we’ve been in these last few weeks. Except we’ve spoken about it, and we know it won’t work. I think I’ll find that easier to handle

Tina looks at her for a moment and then nods.

(Tina) OK

(Bette) I know I’m asking something of you that you wouldn’t usually consider. But I also don’t think what I’m suggesting means we’d have to lose the parts of this that are fantastic, and that I think work for both of us

Tina looks down for a moment, thinking things over. She looks back to Bette.

(Tina) So what does that mean to you? To call it a relationship? If that’s important to you, is there a difference in your mind?

(Bette) Yes, but not in the way you might think

Bette looks downwards for a moment.

(Bette) Basically…

Bette raises her eyes and meets Tina’s, taking a breath before continuing.

(Bette) I want to be able to tell you I’ve fallen for you too

Tina raises her eyebrows.

(Bette) I’d like to tell you that all the time actually