Tina: (turning, her eyes quickly scanning the beach, she realized that Bette
was right) “Okay, let’s go.”

Bette: (confused) “Where are we going?”

Tina: (smiling as she grabbed Bette’s hand and pulled her along as they headed
towards the cars in the parking area) “Come with me.”

Bette: (laughing) “Tina, don’t you think you should go back and grab your
stuff?”

Tina: (stopping abruptly and smiling) “Oh yeah. I forgot and it is your fault.”

Bette: (confused once again but smiling) “Why is it my fault?”

Tina: (turning serious) “Because when I’m around you I seem to forget that
anything else in the world exists.”

Bette: (taking a deep breath and trying once again to squelch the urge to kiss
Tina) “Go get your stuff before I do something I promised I wouldn’t do.”

Tina: (picking up on Bette’s deep breath she leaned in and quickly kissed Bette
on the lips and pulled back) “I’ll be right back.”

Bette: (laughing as Tina started to walk away) “Tease.”

Tina: (turning back towards Bette) “Not a tease, but a promise of more to come
later. Of course, that is if you want a few kisses later.”

Bette: (staring into Tina’s eyes) “Do you really even have to ask?”

Tina: (staring into Bette’s eyes) “No, I guess not.”

Bette: (breaking eye contact with Tina) “Go get your stuff Tina and I will wait
here and then walk with you to your car.”

Tina: “Okay I’ll be right back.”

Bette watched as Tina walked to get her things and as she walked back towards
her she couldn’t help but think how beautiful she was with the sun shining in
her hair and on her face.

Bette: “Did you get everything?”

Tina: (heading to her car with Bette walking beside her) “I’m parked over
there.”

Bette: (as they reached Tina’s car she reached out and gently touched Tina’s
arm so that she would turn and face her) “Tina, I was so sad this morning and
you have no idea how happy I am right now.”

Tina: “Oh believe me, I have an idea because I was the same way. I am so sorry
Bette that I hurt you.”

Bette: (reaching out and stroking Tina’s arm to keep from pulling her in to her
arms) “You’re with me now. That is the only thing that is important.”

Tina: (reaching up to cover Bette’s stroking hand with her own) “Yes. I am and
I’m planning on really getting to know the woman standing in front of me.”

Bette: (smiling) “I can’t wait. Well I guess I should let you get going.”

Tina: (questioning) “I thought you were coming with me.”

Bette: (checking her watch) “I better not. I need to call and check things out
at the gallery and make sure no major catastrophes have come up and besides I
have plans for this evening or at least I think I do.”

Tina: (showing her disappointment that Bette had apparently made other plans)
“Well, I guess I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

Bette: (picking up on Tina’s disappointment and smiling) “Is that your way of
saying that you are planning on standing me up tonight?”

Tina: (smiling) “No. I thoughtnever mind what I thought. What time are you
picking me up?”

Bette: “How about five thirty?”

Tina: “I’ll be ready.”

Bette: (gently running her finger along Tina’s jaw line before she started to
walk away) “I’ll see you then.”

Tina stood there and watched as Bette walked away. She realized that she was
happier than she had been in a long time and she couldn’t wait for their date tonight.