She sat in her car until she was calm enough to drive and went to SheBar. Bette wasn’t a big drinker but she felt that she needed something strong to stop thinking just for a little while. The bar was busy and Bette was glad that she could disappear in the crowd and be just another nameless, faceless patron minding her own business.

Bette made her way to the bar and ordered gin and tonic. She stayed at the bar, sipping the bitter liquid but not really tasting anything nor particularly liking it. The loud noise in the bar began getting to her and a major headache was building on the back of her neck. She finished her drink and turned around, ready to leave when a familiar figure blocked her way.

“Leaving already, Bette? I’ve been watching you and you didn’t seem to have any fun yet. I think I can help in that department,” Candace smiled seductively and put her hand on Bette’s shoulder.

Bette glanced at her hand and sighed, smiling back politely, “Candace, you don’t give up, don’t you?”

“Never,” Candace moved closer, encouraged by Bette’s smile. “Not when it comes to a beautiful woman such as you, Bette.”

The crowd by the bar pushed them closer together and instantly, Candace’s lips were on Bette’s neck. Bette’s body froze at the unwelcomed invasion and she said icily, “Please take your lips and hands off of my body…now.”

Candace’s lips stopped moving and she backed away a little to look into Bette’s face, “Are you sure you want me to do that, Bette? Because you look like someone who needs a distraction and I’m more than willing to provide it.”

“Yes, I’m sure,” Bette’s eyes glanced around the bar, looking for an exit when she spotted Alice. Bette let out a sigh of relief and looked back at Candace, “Excuse me.”

She pushed through the sea of women, leaving frustrated Candace behind and walked toward Alice who was having drinks with a pretty redhead. She saw Bette and smiled happily, “Hey, Bette…want to join us for a drink? This is Rose, we work together at the magazine. Where’s your better half?”

“Alice, I need to talk to you…Tina and I having a major problem.”