Tina watched as Bette stretched and yawn. “Yeah, we’re here.” She smiled. “I have controls on the steering wheel. You looked so uncomfortable with her head nodding up and down. You put up a good fight, but in the end sleep won.”

Bette blushed. “What’s the name of this town?”

“Loveladies.” Tina informed Bette.

“Are you kidding me?” She watched as Tina shook her head. “Love Ladies?”

“No, one word… Loveladies.” Tina chuckled. “Do you like the name of the town?”

“Yes. I think I’m going to like Loveladies.” Bette unbuckled and exited the car. She looked up at the house. “Wow. This is a big house.” Bette turned to Tina, who was getting their bags front the back.

“It’s not so big.” Tina looked at the house she owned with her cousins. “This is small compared to the other houses on this part of the island.” Tina stood next to Bette. “If you walk a two blocks away in either direction there are mansions over there.”

“It looks beautiful and if you decorated the inside, then I’ll know it’s beautiful.” She complimented Tina and gave her a look of adoration.

“Wait until you see the backyard.” Tina felt her heart skip a beat with the way Bette looked at her, “come on.” She carried her bag and Bette’s bag to the porch and opened the door. She let the door swing open for Bette to enter.

Bette stood in the large foyer. To the right was the living room. To the left was the dining room. “Oh, my god, this house is huge. And you’re telling me the other houses are mansions?”

“You’ll be staying in my room, if that’s okay.” Tina joined by in the foyer. She deactivated the alarm system. “Follow me.” Tina closed the front door. She walked to the stairs.

Bette followed the blonde to the second floor. At each bedroom Tina indicated which cousin had which bedroom. “Agnès has her own bathroom, but she has a shower-tub combo. CeeCee and J.K. share a bathroom. They don’t like sharing the bathroom because one is a neat freak and the other isn’t.” Tina stopped outside her room. “And this is mine. I have my own bathroom. There’s a separate shower stall and a Jacuzzi bathtub.” Tina opened the door and carried Bette’s bag inside. She walked to the bathroom and turned on the lights. Bette followed her and stood in the doorway. “This is huge.” She looked at the shower “You can fit two people in that thing.” Bette counted the shower heads. “Seven?”

Tina looked at the shower. “I like to shower. I soak in the tub after a run.” Tina walked back to the bedroom. “There are extra pillows and blankets in the closet. There are two drawers in the dresser that are empty if you want to put your clothes away.”

Bette watched Tina walk around her bedroom. “Where are you sleeping?” She eyed the large sleigh bed.

Tina stood next to Bette. “I’ll be sleeping in Agnès’ room.”

“I can sleep there if you want. I don’t want to put you out of your room.” Bette felt uncomfortable she was preventing Tina from sleeping in her own bed.

“No stay. My bed’s more comfortable. Do you want to see the rest of the house?”

Bette nodded. “Yes, I do. I hope I don’t get lost.” She teased.

“Funny. Come on.”

Tina and Bette walked back downstairs. Tina escorted Bette around the house. She showed her the dining room, living room, family room, and exercise room. “Actually the exercise room can be converted to a guest room because it has a bathroom. And this is the kitchen. The double French doors lead to the backyard.” Tina walked to the double doors and opened them wide. “Tada.” Tina entered the backyard. Her pride and joy. She stood on the deck and felt Bette stand next to her.

“Tee,” Bette did a sweeping glanced of the yard. “This looks exactly like our backyard in L.A…the herb garden, the pool…”

“I loved that backyard. The pool was already here, so it was just a matter of planting.”

“It’s beautiful, Tina…really beautiful.” Bette turned to Tina. Each lost in the moment.

“Are you hungry?” Tina asked breaking the short silence.

”Starving actually. Hospital food and I don’t agree.” Bette rubbed her stomach.

“Do you think you’re comfortable enough to ride a bike or do you want to walk to the market?”

“Why don’t we walk that way you can tell me more about your Loveladies.” Bette linked her arm with Tina’s.

tbc