“Do you think that we’ll stay the course?” asked Tina, knowing that she was asking the impossible of Alice.

“As much as I want to say yes, you know that I can’t, but the one thing that I do know, of all the women that have come and gone in Bette’s life you’re the one that seems to be sticking.”

“I guess I’m going to take that as a compliment.” said Tina, laughing at Alice’s turn of phrase.

“I can’t help it if I have a great way with words.” replied Alice, laughing along with Tina.

“What?” asked Tina, when Alice suddenly started looking over her shoulder.

“Oh no, here comes trouble.” said Alice, looking over Tina’s shoulder at Shane ambling towards them.

Tina looked behind her to see what Alice was seeing. Her heart jumped when she saw Shane. She wondered whether Alice could hear how fast her heart was beating. She had to stop this. She shouldn’t be feeling this way. She loved Bette. She tried to focus on what Alice had just said, Shane was just someone who was different, new, exciting. But she wasn’t the love of Tina’s life.

“Hey Tina, it’s a pleasure to see you.” said Shane, smiling shyly.

“It’s good to see you too.” replied Tina, returning Shane’s smile.

“Do you guys want another coffee?” asked Shane, edging towards the counter.

“I’ll get them.” said Tina, getting up before Shane had the opportunity to move any further.

“Is she OK?” asked Shane of Alice, as she sat down.

“She’s tired. I don’t think she got much sleep last night.” replied Alice, knowing that wasn’t the entire truth.

“That’s too bad. Anything I could do to help?”

“I don’t think so. She’s just got a lot on her mind. I’m sure it’ll pass.”

“I hope so. So did you enjoy last night?”

“I did, very much. You?”

“It was interesting. I guess it just takes a little getting used to.” said Shane, frowning slightly.

“Don’t worry Shane, I’ll take care of you.” laughed Alice, knowing that she felt the same way when she first moved to LA.

“I’ve brought you guys coffee but I need to get going.” said Tina, placing two cups of coffee on the table.”

“You’re leaving already?” asked Shane, frowning even more now.

“I should go to see Bette. She’s working late and usually, when that happens, the only way that she can be prised away is if I go there myself to drag her home.”

“What does she do?” asked Shane, wanting Tina to stay a little longer.

“She owns an art gallery. She loves it, sometimes I think she loves it more than me.”

“I’m sure that can’t be true.” said Shane, not even understanding how that could be possible.

“Well, she definitely sees more of the gallery than she does of me.” said Tina, shaking her head, wondering if that was the problem.

“Maybe that’s something you ought to change, and besides, I also can’t believe that anyone would want to spend more time at a gallery than with you.”

“Are you going or staying Tina?” interjected Alice, thinking that, maybe, Shane and Tina’s conversation was getting a little too close to flirting for comfort.

“You’re right. I should leave.” said Tina, starting to move away, looking over her shoulder as she did so.

“Is that really true?” asked Shane, once Tina had gone.

“Is what true?” asked Alice, dreading having to confirm what she already knew Shane was going to ask about.

“Does Bette really see more of the gallery than Tina?”

“Bette’s a workaholic, but Tina knew that when she got involved with Bette. It’s just that sometimes the ratio of work to Tina slips a little in favour of work. That’s when Tina knows she has to pull it back her way. I’m pretty sure she has her own ways of doing that.” smiled Alice, knowing for a fact that Bette really was putty in Tina’s hands.

“So they’re good together?” asked Shane, wondering whether she was pushing Alice too hard for information.

“They have their ups and downs, but yeah, I think they’re good together.”

“I know that I don’t know Tina very well, and Bette even less, but I really hope that they are good together.” said Shane, not sure whether she really believed in what she was saying.

“They are.” said Alice, secretly doubting the courage of her convictions.