CHAPTER 16

Bette stood before the open refrigerator, peering inside, as she felt Tina’s arms slide around her waist.

“You must be starving, Babe.  We never did get around to dinner, did we?”  Tina giggled. 

“Or breakfast.”  Bette replied with a mischievous grin and her trademark throaty laugh.  She leaned in and gave Tina a soft, lingering kiss.  “In fact, it’s probably pushing it to call this lunch.” 

“So are you still up for some quality time by the pool, or do you need a nap?”  Tina teased, causing Bette to blush as she rolled her eyes.

“Smart ass.”  Bette retorted with a slightly embarrassed grin, as she tickled Tina’s ribs playfully.  “No, I do not need a nap.  But I am definitely ready to start our picnic.”  Bette turned her attention back to the refrigerator, trying to decide what they should eat.

“Babe, why don’t you let me take care of the food.”  Tina suggested with another giggle.  “In fact, why don’t you go check on the pool and change into your bathing suit?”  Tina raised her eyebrows suggestively as she finished her sentence.

“Tee, it’s March.  I know we’ve had great weather this week, but the water is going to be freezing.”  Bette tried to reason with her, realizing it was probably a losing battle. 

“Yes, it is March.  But I turned on the pool heater on Wednesday.”  Tina smiled, enjoying having caught Bette off guard.  “The water should be just fine by now, and it’s a gorgeous afternoon.”  Bette just shook her head recognizing the futility in trying to resist.  She walked out into the back yard to check on the pool and spread out the picnic blanket before returning to their bedroom to change.

Tina rummaged through the refrigerator, resisting the temptation to skip right to the strawberries and champagne that were chilling on the top shelf.  Tina knew that neither of them had eaten in at least 24 hours and that something slightly more sustaining was required.  Instead, she emerged with bags of shaved turkey and Swiss cheese, a tomato, and jars of mustard and mayonnaise.  She pulled down the French rolls from the top of the fridge and quickly made them each a sandwich, returning the bags and jars to the fridge.  Tina was just closing the refrigerator door as she caught a glimpse of Bette walking by, and her head snapped around in a double-take at the sight of her in a black bikini that was so revealing she may as well not have been wearing it.  Bette pretended she didn’t see Tina’s reaction, but smiled to herself knowing that the bikini elicited its intended response.