___

After collecting myself I reach the doors of Dana’s and enter. I see Shane and Alice sitting at a table and approach them.

I take a seat and greet them.

“Bette, you haven’t been responding to any of my texts. What’s going on with you?” Alice eagerly asks me.

“It’s Tina.”

“What about Tina?” Shane lifts an eyebrow in question.

“She stayed the night last night.”

“She what?” Alice says with shock in her voice.

“It’s not what you think.”

“Then tell us what happened.” Alice tends to push her chair closer to mine.

“I messed up last night. Because of me, her and Carrie are no longer together.”

“Isn’t this what you wanted?”

“Not this way, Alice. Not this way.”

“Did anything happen between you two?” Shane asks.

“No, it was late, emotions were high and she had nowhere to go and I felt guilty.”

“What did Angie think of this?” Alice questions.

“She doesn’t know, so please don’t tell her anything. As far as she knows I fell asleep on the sofa.”

Shane steps away from the table and I watch as she heads behind the bar.

She reappears with a glass and a bottle of whiskey.

“On me.” She says handing me the glass and pushing the bottle towards me.

“So tell us.” Alice demands as her usual Alice self.

“I got a little too bold last night and I may have mentioned to Tina about what you guys had asked me.”

“About if she showed up at your doorstep?” Shane asks.

“Yes.” I responded. “I think Carrie may have overheard us.”

“Ouch.” Alice says, looking between me and Shane.

“So have you and Tina talked this through?” Shane asks before lifting her glass to her lips and taking a sip.

“She’s still in love with me.”

“That’s great news, Bette!” Alice claps her hands together.

“No, Alice. I just feel so damn bad about it.”

“Bette, I wouldn’t be so hard on yourself. You and Tina have a very long history.” Shane speaks up.

“I’ve always loved Tina. And I still do love her.”

Alice takes my hand in hers and I start to tear up inside.

“I don’t even know if she wants to talk to me anymore.”

“What makes you say that?” Shane asks me.