”Just looking at that vein that appears every time you say GiGi’ s name,” Bette whispers, her thumb brushing Tina’s temple. ”Oh, shit, there it is again…”

Tina rubs her forehead, the delicate skin flushing pink beneath her fingertips. ” There is no vein, damn it…”

Bette’s gentle laugh rumbles between them, vibrating against Tina’s chest where they touch.

Although I do admit,” Tina says, her voice dropping to a husky whisper as her hands slide up to cup Bette’s face, ”I don’t like the idea of other people touching you… even if it was in the six-year void.” Not a hint of amusement softens her words.

Bette keeps eye contact with Tina, the playfulness fading as her pupils dilate slightly. The moment stretches between them, electric and raw. ” I feel the same fucking way,” she finally breathes, her fingers tightening possessively at Tina’s waist. ”Trust me…”

Tina bites her lower lip, gaze steady. She reaches for Bette’s glass of scotch and lifts it to her mouth.

Bette’s brows arch. “T, you know you hate the stuff…”

Tina gently shrugs. “Maybe tonight’s the night that changes…” She grimaces mid-sip, forcing it down. “Nope, I was wrong…”

Bette laughs again, reaches out, and gently pries the glass from Tina’s fingers. She drains the remainder in a single smooth motion, sets the tumbler down, then loops her arms around Tina’s waist and draws her even closer. “I love you,” she whispers into the curve between Tina’s neck and shoulder.

Tina melts into the embrace, fingers tangling in Bette’s hair. “I love you too, baby.” With that, she leans up, and their lips meet in a slow, passionate kiss that speaks every unspoken truth between them. In a moment of abandon, Tina tilts her head back, her eyes fluttering closed, and Bette gazes at her with a tenderness so deep it aches, an entire history of devotion hidden in a single glance. Their kiss resumes, gentle and unhurried, as Bette’s hands slip beneath Tina’s robe, pulling her closer still. All around them, Whitney’s voice soars, warm, vulnerable, achingly honest, filling the night with the promise of how far they’ve come, and how infinitely far they’ll go together….