Caught completely off guard, Alice didn’t know how to reply.  Instead, she brushed the sand from her face and stomped off into the crowd. 

Tina walked back over to the brunette and placed her hand where it had originally been.  Bette squeezed lightly.  They smiled knowingly at one another as Tina mouthed how sorry she was.  The brunette kept her smile and added a sexy wink. After Alice’s antics, the others felt embarrassed and tried to make up for it by engaging the seemingly new couple in conversation. 

Helena walked over with some wine and glasses and offered them to both.  Tina shot the British beauty a look. “Oh, Ms. Porter, forgive me I forgot you can’t…”

“Oh, that’s quite alright Helena, and please call me Bette.” The slightly shorter brunette smiled, totally mesmerized by the charming vampire.  Tina noticed Helena’s new demeanor and whispered in her ear.  “Down girl.” Helena snapped out of her trance and tried to make herself busy by opening the wine bottle.  She was struggling hopelessly with the uncooperative cork instead of using magic, when Bette gently removed it from her hand and popped it with the flick of her thumb.  They all looked at her at the same time.

“What? Oh uh, stupid non-human trick.” 

Chuckling, Tina led the group over to where they had set up their area.  Tina sat on a large blanket and made room for Bette to sit next to her.  The rest of the girls chose chairs and Shane just sat herself down on the sand looking over to the fire.  She had seen Carmen earlier and was trying to figure out when to make her move.  Bette followed her gaze noticing the stunning girl.  “She’s very beautiful Shane.”  The young brunette looked over at Bette and smiled.

“Are you reading my mind Ms. Porter.”?

“It’s Bette, please, all of you.  No, Shane, I’m reading your body language.”

“Am I that obvious?”

Everyone answered at the same time. “YES!”

The laughter among them was easy and familiar.  Bette seemed to fit right in and it made Tina feel good inside.  The banter and friendly atmosphere did not go unnoticed by Alice who had joined some of the women who had been dancing earlier.  She seethed watching the vampire interact so easily with her ‘framily’. One too many drinks later, Alice was ready to put on a show.