Tina reluctantly ended the kiss, wanting to make sure Bette understood what she was trying to say before she lost control, lost herself in her wife, her desire growing. “Here’s the thing, Baby… I want more for my professional life now too. If this movie is a hit, even a small one there could be a sequel. The author is a friend of mine, she will go where I go. I think its time to see if other studios would be interested in a female producer with an odd talent for picking good scripts…”

Bette squirmed. She sat back a little to look Tina in the eye. Deep chocolate eyes searched cornflower blue. She kissed the tip of Tina’s nose. “Is it the right time?” she asked quietly, tentatively. “You make more than me now. You support us while our Gallery is being launched…”

Tina kissed her deeply, loving her… knowing how difficult it was for Bette to admit she was worried about money. “Sweetheart, there will never be a perfect time. And this will take time to play out. The movie gets released in a month so nothing can happen for at least three months after that while the numbers come in. I will take that success and the sequel, and I will find a studio that supports and encourages women. It may not be the right time, but we will be together while we figure it out…” Her eyes were bright, excited. They searched Bette’s.

“Peggy Peabody” Bette said, suddenly more anxious. She wrung her hands.

“Yes, maybe”. Tina captured Bette’s hands, holding them close to her, reading her apprehension. She wrapped up the anxiety in her wife’s hands with calmness, stilling them, kissing her knuckles. “But you don’t have to worry about Helena or anyone else. Not Eric, hitting on me today or Helena or anyone. You know that right?”

“Yes. I do. Of course, I do. Charlotte LaVoie asked me out today” Bette blurted out. Not sure why she felt like now was the time to tell Tina except that the longer she went without saying something the more of a secret it felt like …and that made her uneasy. She squeezed Tina’s hands, worried.