By seven oclock everything was in place. The house was spotless, the food was almost done and the table was set. Bette had called Alice to ask her help in preparing tonights dinner. Alice agreed and when they actually started cooking, Alice couldnt contain her laughter. Bette knew absolutely nothing about the culinary arts and Alice ended up cooking most of the dinner herself. She had prepared rosemary chicken with shrimp scampi over linguini in a white clam sauce. All Tinas favorites. Bette had a bottle of chardonnay chilling in the fridge and she was just putting the last of the fruit on the desert plates. The table was set in a very romantic style with two candles in the middle of it. Soft jazz music was playing from the stereo, and Bette had lit lavender scented candles all over the living room.

Tina arrived home at a quarter past seven and upon entering the house she felt her heart flutter with joy. She took in the ambiance of the room and when Bette walked up to greet her with a glass of wine and a kiss on the cheek Tina felt like she had died and gone to heaven.

What is all this?

Just relax and enjoy it. Youve had a hard day so now its time to unwind.

Bette took the briefcase from Tina and set it down next to the door. She took Tinas hand and led her to the table where she gave her a soft kiss on the lips before pulling out her chair. Tina giggled at the sight of Bette being so formal and she could hear her stomach growling as the aroma from the kitchen tickled her nose.

Something sure smells good. Which means either Im in the wrong house or you got someone to come and cook.

Bette gave Tina a mock look of resentment as she went into the kitchen and returned a few minutes later with their dinners. She set one plate down in front of Tina and put hers down at her place. She walked back to the kitchen and returned a few seconds latter with the bottle of wine and set it down on the table.

Okay Bette, not to say you didnt do this, but I remember what your cooking was like before and I have to say, this is incredible.

Bette sat across from Tina with a smirk on her face as she watched Tina eat. After a few bites Bette had to finally tell her that Alice did most of the cooking.

I helped though.

Im sure you did baby.

Tina smiled at Bette and Bette had a look of pure contentment on her face. They proceeded to finish the meal, talking about Tinas latest projects at the center and how stressed she had been these past few days. As Tina was talking she could tell that Bette was a little distracted. She appeared to be listening, but Tina could see a hint of worry in her eyes.

Bette, is everything okay?

Bette sighed and put her fork down. She knew this would be as good a time as any to tell Tina about the Provocations farewell, and she hoped that she had set enough of a mood for Tina not to get upset.

Well, actually there is something I have to tell you.

At the sound of concern in Bettes voice Tina immediately sat up straight and gave her her undivided attention. Bette looked at Tina to try and see if she what sort of mood she was in, but when she couldnt read her eyes she decided to continue.

Franklin gave me some interesting news today. You know how Provocations is moving on to MOCHA next week?

Tina nodded her head yes but didnt say anything. She just sat there waiting for Bette to continue.

Well, he wants the CAC to host another party on its behalf and he wants to rearrange some of the exhibits.

Bette paused, waiting to see if Tina had figured it out yet. Tinas demeanor had not changed yet, so Bette decided she was going to have to tell her exactly what she was concerned about.

Its a tough job and it needs to be done quickly and done well, so weve decided to use the same crew who did the set up for Provocations.

Tina knew exactly what Bette was talking about and she didnt know what to think. She was glad that Bette was giving her a heads up about Candace, but she was worried because Bette seemed so concerned about it. Will she not be able to handle herself? Or is she worried that I cant handle it. Tina didnt know exactly how to respond to Bettes news so she decided a nonchalant attitude would be the best one.

Is that all?

Tina, you get what Im saying right?

That Candace will be working at the CAC for the next week.

And youre okay with it?

Why shouldnt I be? Its over right? I mean nothings changed since the last time you saw her.

Bette looked at Tina with a look of relief mixed with panic. Tina was being so calm about this and it made Bette wonder if she was holding in how she felt because she didnt want to pick a fight.

Well yeah, I mean nothings changed, but since were going to do this show it means Im going to be working a lot for the next week. I wont be home as much and Ill be working with her all day. But baby, if you dont have a problem with it than neither do I.

Tina looked at Bette thoughtfully trying to figure out what Bettes reasoning behind making such a big deal out of working with Candace again was. This explains the dinner, thought Tina as she realized Bette was trying to soften her up a little before giving her this information. And this made her a little suspicious.

No Bette, I dont have a problem with it. But if its really not important, then why did you make such a big deal out of it? I mean thats why you made this dinner right?

Tina felt a tiny twinge of guilt for coming across so accusatory but she was not about to let Bette hurt her again. If there was even the slightest bit of doubt in Bettes mind as to what she was doing and what she wanted Tina was out the door.

Bette leaned back in her chair in frustration. This was not how she thought the evening would turn out, and she was angry that Tina would even think Bette was trying to con her way around this, even if it was slightly true. When she spoke her voice was sharp and she knew she might be picking a fight with Tina out of stubbornness.

No, Tina thats not what this dinner is about. I just wanted to do something nice for you okay? And I made a big deal out of it because I wanted to be upfront with you about working with Candace. I dont want to give you any reason not to trust me, and even though things are completely over between me and Candace, I just wanted you to be sure.

Wanted me to be sure or wanted you to be sure? I dont know Bette, sounds like a guilty conscience to me.

Bette looked at Tina with anger in her eyes and she fought back the tears that were threatening to build in her eyes. All I was trying to do was be open with her and she threw it back in my face, I knew she wasnt over the Candace thing, thought Bette as she took a deep breath trying to calm herself down. With one more cold look at Tina she stood up from the table and walked outside to the backyard.

Tina watched Bette walk away and sighed with disbelief. She knew that Bette was just being honest with her and she had let her insecurities get the best of her. Why couldnt I just believe her? thought Tina as she slowly cleaned up the table and put the rest of the food away. She didnt know what to say to Bette right then so she just walked back to the bedroom and went to sleep.

The next morning Tina rolled over reaching for Bette so that she could apologize for last night. When she didnt feel Bette next to her she sat up with a worried look on her face. She looked at the clock and saw that it was seven oclock and she jumped out of bed realizing she was going to be late meeting Oscar. She quickly jumped in the shower and as she stood underneath the water her conversation with Bette played over in her head. I do trust her, thought Tina as she finished shampooing her hair. She got out of the shower and when she went back to the room to change she could tell that Bette had already left for work. She must be really upset, Tina thought to herself and she made a mental note to not let this fight last longer than today. As she was running out of the house Tina couldnt help but feel like their relationship was slipping back into an old pattern. Tina decided that it would have to be different this time, and she knew that for once, she was going to have to do the hard part and try and do what was best for their relationship. Im not losing her over Candace again, Tina said to herself as she drove to the center, hoping that tonight she could make amends with the woman she loved.