—

“Hi,” she paused to catch her breath. “Can you – are you free to talk?”

“Of course.”

“Is Jodi there?”

“She’s taking a shower.”

Tina barely held back a groan full of disappointment and confusion.  Was it possible for any of this to feel any more…wrong? There was another woman sharing Bette’s world.  In the space previously ‘home’ for years there was another’s presence.  Someone who held Bette at night and with her to greet the possibilities of each new day. 

It was just horribly and unbearably wrong.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t talk earlier.”

“You know we have to.  I’m ready for us to discuss this Tina.”  The one who spoke let out a mouthful of air.  Released not out of frustration necessarily but because of the restlessness within.  It was almost physically too much to keep inside without some sort of relief.  So much so that she whispered the need to know how Tina felt.

“I need to hear your thoughts on what happened between us.”

Silence.  The brunette let her words settle, waiting for Tina to get her bearings.

What happened.

On that night. 

In the most public of surroundings yet so intimately private they connected.  The blonde recalled every second of what occurred.  How it felt.  How they touched.  How the noise and music faded to silence as the pounding in her chest overtook all else.  Lost in the memory, Tina’s heart raced like it did that evening.

“It’s…I…"  It was true.  She saw the readiness in Bette’s eyes though was not quite prepared herself.  Tina paused then subsequently admitted, “You’re right.  I’ve been…avoiding you.”

The woman on the other end of the line gently queried, “Do you want me to apologize T?”

Did she?  Did Tina want to hear a penitent Bette? 

Did she want her to take back with words actions of that night?  How Bette’s mouth covered hers carefully then eagerly?  How in an instant familiar lips grasped, clenched and licked her own.  How she reciprocated and urged for more.  How Tina stimulated with movements of her tongue and caressed to taste what she missed terribly and fill the emptiness of a past lover’s absence.

Everything happened with purpose and the shorter woman’s hands could not possibly stay inert.  Positioned at the back of her companion’s neck and with fingers lost in soft curls, she pulled the brunette closer…then nearer still.