“Sure.”

I think I was on autopilot during the entire conversation. I was surprised to hear from her so soon for one thing, and then the invitation to go skinny-dipping with her was so surreal. It was only when I hung up I realised that I said yes. “Tina you are in so much trouble.” I scolded myself. I finished up my report and pack my brief bag. I picked up lunch, Alice’s favourite meal, tacos, as a peace offering and met with her at her office. “Hey.”

“Hey you.”

“I’m sorry I snapped at you this morning.” I said as I placed the food on her desk.

“It’s cool.” She opened the bag. “Ooh tacos! I am famished.”

We had lunch and discussed the case after. We came an agreement and closed the case. She called and set up a meeting for when he got back in town. I didn’t tell her about what happened the night before nor about the date I had with Bette that day. It was about four in the afternoon by the time we were done. I stayed back for a while making up the time before I met up with Bette at the beach. I left Alice’s office a little after five that evening and headed for the beach. Bette got there a few minutes after I did. She had a bottle of wine like she always did, this time she walked with two glasses. “Hi there.” She smiled. I stood and welcomed the hug she offered. “Were you waiting long?”

“No I just got her actually.”

I watched as she spread a blanket big enough for the both of us this time. She placed the glasses and bottle between us as we sat down. “It’s beautiful isn’t it.”

I looked out at the ocean, “It is.” She poured a glass and held it out to me. “No thanks.”

“It’s non-alcoholic.”

I waited for her to finish pour hers. “Cheers.” We knocked the glasses and together put the glasses to our lips, we removed them, swallowed the contents in our mouths and inhaled and exhaled. We laughed as we did it in unison. We looked out at the ocean, listening in silence to the waves crash on the shore. “So,” She was the first to speak, “Do you have anyone special in your life?”