Bette smirked. «It was fine… And just so you know, my friend is a 60 years old male artist who just moved here», she replied, amused.

«Well, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do», Tina said, blushing. Bette put her hand on her arm. «If the offer for coffee still stands, I’m free later tonight», Bette replied. Tina gazed into the warm brown eyes she knew so well and nodded. «Of course it is», she replied, almost giggling. Bette smiled. «Good…», she said before walking away.

Tina had a hard time concentrating on work for the reminder of the evening. She kept following Bette around the gallery with her eyes, her body reacting to the closeness of the beautiful brunette. Bette seemed to know everybody and everybody seemed to know her. She was so fantastic… Tina wondered again what made her fall into the arms of another woman when she had someone like Bette by her side. She had been so stupid…

«Are you enjoying yourself?», someone asked her.

Tina looked up. Danielle Collins was standing right in front of her, smiling. «Yeah, very much so… This is such a beautiful gallery you have here», Tina told her sincerely. The artist had an amused look in her eyes. «I’ve been watching you the past few minutes and I’m surprised you paid any attention to the place…», she told her, glancing in Bette’s direction.

Tina reddened. «I don’t know what you’re talking about…», Tina stammered.

«Come on now… I know a little bit about you two… I’m very sorry you’re having some problems at the moment, I really am, but judging by the way she gazes at you when you’re not looking, I’m willing to bet things will work out for the two of you very soon…», Danielle told her.

Tina couldn’t believe her ears. Bette was gazing at her ? «Thank you Danielle, I hope so too…», she said, in a state of shock. The evening went so slowly Tina thought she would go out of her mind. She was hoping Bette hadn’t changed her mind about going out for coffee. Was she reaching out to her or was she just being polite ? Tina tried not to read too much into this or she might end up being bitterly disappointed.

The guests started to leave around midnight. Danielle said goodbye to each and everyone of them, thanking them for coming. Bette was still talking to a beautiful woman in the back. Tina wondered who she was… She saw Bette leaned closer and give her a kiss on the cheek. Bette caught her staring and she smiled.

Tina quickly looked away. «Ready to go out for coffee?», Bette asked from behind. The brunette had put her hand on her bare shoulder and Tina shuddered at the touch. It had been so long since she had felt that soft hand on her skin…

«I’m ready… Let’s just say goodbye to Danielle before we leave», Tina said, walking towards the artist.

Danielle Took Bette’s hands in hers. «Bette, it was so nice of you to be here tonight… And I see you’re leaving in beautiful company», Danielle told her, winking.

Bette smiled. «You have a gorgeous gallery here Danielle and I hope we can do business in the future», she replied, kissing her on both cheeks.

«Of course we will, darling»

Danielle turned to Tina. «I hope you had a wonderful time… and I have a feeling it’s not over yet», Danielle said, whispering the last part in Tina’s ear. «I had a great time Danielle. Good luck to you», Tina told her.

Bette and Tina left the gallery and went outside in the warm night air. «Do you want to take a cab or do you prefer walking?», Bette asked.

«I don’t know, where are we going ? Do you know any café open at this time of night?», Tina wondered, glancing at her watch.

Bette gazed at her. «Actually, I thought we could have coffee in my hotel room…»