"Tina," I heard Carmen call.

"Yeah," I said clearing my throat and looking to her after Bette had laid herself on the chaise lounge.

"Are you ok," she said hidng her cheshire cat smile.

"Fine, why do you ask?"

"You have been oogling Bette since she walked out here. Are you, gay," she asked quietly.

"No, I um, well, I don’t," I said stuttering. Am I? I never really thought I was. I mean, I went out with boys, but none of them really interested me. I thought maybe they were just not right for me, someone better will come along. But then again. I’d always fancied women, seeing them in bathing suits, in the locker room, or just walking about their day. I just never thought about it, until now. Obviously this woman is way out of my reach.

"It’s ok Tina, you don’t have to answer. I just want you to know, she’s nice to look at but she’ll never be tied down. She’s unlikely to take a girlfriend or wife."

"Why do you say that?"

"She’s a player. She dates girls for a while then dumps them, finds new ones and repeats the cycle. She comes from a wealthy family, and in such a short time has made a name for herself in the art world. She’s arrogant to a fault, but she’s not snobby," she said as I studied Bette once more, she lays there, soaking in the sun, "She’s L.A.’s lesbian bachlorette and all the girls want a chance to be with her, to make her theirs forever. Trust me, don’t get involved, she’ll just hurt you. I love her because she’s Shane’s adopted older sister, but that’s the truth."

"I have to go to the bathroom," I said after a while and I wrapped my towel around my waist, my pastey while abdomen not soaking any of the sun.

As I come out of the bathroom, I pause and take notice of the paintings she has on her walls. I then stop at a photograph of a beautiful country side, the green grass and blue sky captured so beautifully, I was in awe. I felt a presence behind me and I turned and there she was, in all her greek goddess glory. My breath quickened and I had no clue what to say.

"I apologize for not introducing myself earlier, I had no idea Shane brought over a new friend, Bette Porter," she said and held her hand out, I shook it.

"T-Tina Kennard," I stuttered, and the corners of her mouth pulled into a small, amused smile. She must know the effect she has on me. Then her smiled broadened and her pearly white captivated me, that million dollar smile, she’s got me already.