Tina and Carmen laugh.

“…You actually have a point,” Carmen admits.

Alice raises her glass. “Of course I do…”

Tina’s eyes fall on Bette, standing at the bar, laughing with Shane and Tasha, completely at ease. Without thinking, she stands, smoothing her short little black dress as she weaves through the crowd, Carmen and Alice’s voices fading behind her.

“So, what are Natalie and GiGi’s kids’ names?” Carmen asks.

Alice squares up confidently. “Katy and Marcus…”

Carmen laughs. “Not even close…”

Tina smiles to herself as she reaches the bar, sliding her arms around Bette’s waist from behind.

Bette turns slightly, instantly softening. “Hey T, sorry I was just on my way back with your drink…”

“It’s fine…” Tina says, rising onto her toes and gently nibbling Bette’s ear.

Bette smiles, then lights up as God Was Showing Off blasts through the club. She grabs Tina’s hand and backs toward the dance floor. “You’re just in time to dance to your song, baby…”

Tina laughs. “My song?”

“Absolutely, this song could only have been made with one woman in mind…”

Tina looks at Bette curiously. “And when did you start listening to Bruno Mars?”

Bette playfully narrows her eyes. “You don’t know everything about me, Kennard….” She then pauses and shrugs slightly. “James had the album quietly playing at his desk one day, and I kinda fell in love with it…particularly this song…” She spins Tina once, smooth and effortless, then pulls her in close, hands settling at her waist.

Tina smirks, wrapping her arms around Bette’s neck. “Always with the flare….”

Bette shrugs with a grin. “I try….”

Tina leans in. “Ya know you don’t have to lay it on so thick…chances are already pretty good that you’re going to get to slowly peel this dress off when we get home…”

Bette smiles, voice dropping. “Slowly? You’ll be lucky if I unzip it first, woman…”

Tina laughs. “You will not rip another one of my dresses, Bette Porter…”

Bette laughs softly, pulling her closer, singing into her ear as the chorus swells.

Tina melts into her, fingers tangling into Bette’s hair. Then her eyes shift over Bette’s shoulder towards the bar, and her expression changes when she spots Dana and Lara, standing close, seemingly involved in a tense conversation.

Their voices are raised, their bodies tight with frustration. Tina subtly tilts her head, motioning Bette’s attention in that direction.

Bette follows her gaze, her brows knitting slightly. They don’t stop dancing; they just watch from a distance, and things quickly escalate.

Lara grabs her drink, and before either of them can process it, she throws it straight in Dana’s face. “Fuck you, Dana!” The words cut through the music just enough to turn a few heads.

Lara points at Dana, hurt, angry, done. She then spins and storms off through the crowd.

Dana stands there, stunned and wet. Shane walks over, hands Dana a few napkins, then throws an arm around her shoulders.

Tina shakes her head, letting out a quiet sigh. “I saw this coming…”

Bette shrugs. “What the hell is going on with those two?”

“I’ll tell you later…” Tina says softly. She gently takes Bette’s chin, guiding her focus back to her, then leans in and gives her a slow, intentional kiss. Just like that, the noise fades, and the crowd disappears; they are the only two people in the room….