“Someone with more time maybe.”

“Yes, exactly.”

“Maybe if I dated ‘other people’ this wouldn’t be so new anymore?”

Bette didn’t want to think of it but swallowed her doubt, “That’s right.”

Tina stood taller.  She leaned on the table behind her, placing her hands at the edge.  “Let me make sure I understand.  You want me to date other people.”

“I think it would be best.”

“Best for whom?  You?”

“I, Tina I…”

“Because I certainly don’t want to date anyone else.”  Tina said then asked softly, “If you don’t want to be with me why don’t you just say it?”

“It’s not that.”

“If you’re tired of me -”

“Is that what you think?”

“What else could I think under the circumstances?”

They looked at one another mutely.

It was Tina who broke the silence. “Listen, don’t worry because I get it.  You don’t want to be with me and we haven’t…”

Bette surrendered the pretense and didn’t let her say anything more. She strode towards Tina and held her at the waist with her left hand and reached to bring the blonde closer with the right. 

Within a split second Bette kissed her. 

She caressed Tina with all that she felt.  Without reservations and with lips, mouth and tongue she kissed the woman in her arms.

Insistent, careful and with flowing desire, she held and kissed the blonde fully.  There was no denying the longing that passed between them.  A feeling that began and intensified since the instantaneous connection both experienced the night they met.  Enough for one to permanently sever a fairly stable relationship with her boyfriend to pursue what was proving to be more than she could ever wish for.

Bette whispered, “Do you still think I don’t want you?”

Instead of answering Tina moved nearer so they could kiss again.  With emotion and want she touched Bette.  Physically and deep within.

After a few minutes the blonde lay her forehead on Bette’s shoulder.

“Do you still want me to date other people?”

The taller woman pulled Tina into her and remained quiet.  She held her close.

Too young.  Too new.  Too little time. 

Reasons one, two and three were proving inconsequential.  In addition she didn’t want Tina to kiss another person; certainly not in the way they just kissed.  So Bette honestly concluded, “I don’t want you to date anyone but me.”

Tina embraced the brunette. She held her like she meant to never let go.  Nothing was said for a good while since not one but two women were simply too…overwhelmed. 

After all, reason number four was really not prospective and was most definitely right.

—