As soon as they were alone, something seemed to change in the atmosphere. Bette looked around and wished she could just push Tina against the wall and take her there. The blonde was wearing deliciously dangerous clothes again – a shirt with the top buttons open with a bit of cleavage, that skirt ending just above her knees… and those damn heels.

They finally arrived at the thirtieth floor and Bette smiled encouragingly. She walked towards a door at the other end of the corridor and opened it. Behind it were stairs and Bette let Tina go first. The small corridor was badly lit, but Bette still got a nice view of Tina’s behind and it almost made her faint.

They finally reached the roof of the building and Bette could hear Tina gasp before stepping onto it.

Tina looked around – the view was simply overwhelming. The city was stretched out in front of them and there were plants everywhere. There even was a bench to sit on in the midst of all the green. It was another world.

“Wow – how do you know this place?” Tina asked curiously.

“I know a guy that works here – not many people know about this place. He likes to find some peace here when things are crazy at work.”

“I can see why.”

It was indeed very peaceful and also comforting in a way – to be away from the world and still overlooking it.

“Let’s sit down.”

They walked towards the bench and sat down, enjoying the view. After a while, Tina spoke. “So, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?”

“I… Tina, please promise me you won’t get mad,” Bette almost pleaded.

“Of course not, why would I?”

“I just… I really don’t want to lose you over this, okay?”

“O-kay,” Tina frowned her eyebrows. She was getting really curious.

“And please let me finish and don’t interrupt.”

“Okay, come on, tell me now,” Tina was getting impatient.

“Okay. Well, the thing is… we’ve been pretty close for the past few months and I… I really enjoy it, being with you. Of course it was terrible, what happened to you. But… it did bring us together, in a way, as friends, you know. But the thing is that… well, even before we got this close, I… I wanted this to happen. Naturally I didn’t want you to get raped or treated like that by Rachel – I’ll never forgive her for doing that to you, either. It’s just, from the moment I first met you, my life… changed. I haven’t loved in a long time, scared to get my heart broken but you, you were so different and it scared me as well. And I knew there was no sense in developing any feelings for you, you being married and all… and then Rachel. She… she was so… I don’t know, but so proud to have ‘conquered’ you and it made me mad because I realised you obviously cared for her if you risked your marriage for her and all, but… well, it also made me mad because I had talked to Rachel about how I felt about you, you know… her being my best friend. Anyway, she knew how I was developing this major crush on you even though I really didn’t know you, and well, I kept… dreaming about you and longing for you and everytime we’d meet you’d leave me crushed and I… I’d cry myself to sleep because I realised that my love for you, that it was real. That I haven’t loved in so long and now I did, but I couldn’t… I felt bad and guilty and you were so unreachable anyway. Not only were you married with a decent rich guy, you also had an affair with my best friend. And even though you were so unreachable, I couldn’t stop loving you. I always have, Tina. I realised that it was impossible, but my heart wouldn’t listen, it would only beat for you. I knew – I know – that you and I are never going to be together, but still it doesn’t end these immense and strong feelings I have for you. And God, I am rambling, I wanted to tell you how things have been for me but I’m just… well, anyway. The past few months, getting to really know you… I can’t do it anymore. I can’t lie to you about how I feel anymore.

I love you, all of you. I want to do anything to make you happy, even if it means leaving your life forever. And it’d break my heart and I’d have a hard time getting over it, but I’d survive. People always survive. It’s not that I can’t live without you… I just really don’t want to.”

A silence fell. “Wow,” Tina said after a while, her eyes on the panorama. “Didn’t see that one coming. Okay, maybe a bit, but that it was this strong…”

“I’m sorry.”

Tina looked at Bette, giving her a faint smile. “You don’t have to be sorry about how you feel.”

Bette looked down. “Shit. I shouldn’t have told you. Things are going to be so awkward…”

Silence again. Finally, Tina stood up. “Bette… I think I better go. I’ll take a cab, you don’t have to drive me.”

“Wait – shouldn’t we talk about it? I don’t want you to leave!”

A tear was forming in Tina’s eye. “There’s nothing to talk about. You love me. And I…”

“And you?”

“I… I don’t think I can… I’m sorry, Bette, I have to… I have to go.”

Tina rushed off, leaving Bette in tears and kicking herself. “What have you done?” she whispered to herself. “Why did you have to fuck up? What did you expect her to say? That she loves you as well? Don’t be ridiculous… you never stood a chance.”