Bette shook her head. 

“…I knew Alice was just trying to protect you…from getting hurt…from this supposed straight woman…from me. I knew I already liked her at that point but it really made me look at her differently. Alice likes making jokes and being the center of attention and being really loud.”

“She’s so loud,” Bette laughed.

So loud, Tina mouthed.

“But under all of that loudness is one of the most loyal souls I’ve ever met. If Alice is on your side, she…is…on…your…side. She is the type of friend you wouldn’t have to ask twice or provide any details about hiding a body.”

Bette laughed her signature laugh. It lit up her whole face. Tina loved how Bette laughed with her whole face.

Do not charge. Do not charge. Do not charge. Do not charge.

“That is so true. Shane would require some answers. But not Alice. Alice would show up with a tarp, some rope, an unmarked van and disguises. No questions asked.”

“Exactly. She so would.”

Bette nuzzled deeper into the crook of Tina’s arm. Tina pulled Bette in closer. They smiled at each other. Bette licked her lips. Tina bit hers.

One heartbeat.

Two heartbeats. 

Three heartbeats. 

Tina looked up, took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Bette waited. She knew Tina was about to say something else…something she was hesitant about saying. Tina looked back down at the woman in her arms. 

“She made good on her promise.”

Bette raised her eyebrows questioningly. 

“Alice.” Tina said. 

Bette leaned back to get a better look at Tina. 

“What do you mean? What happened?”

“When I left to go to Vancouver.”

Before Bette could roll her eyes, Tina corrected her word choice.

“When I…ab-scon-ded…when I absconded to Vancouver, Alice was very upset. Not that I left but that I left you the way that I left you.”

“What did she say?” Bette asked quietly.

“Nothing at first. I think she was trying to be loyal to both of us…at the beginning. Then more supportive of me and loyal to you… That worked fine for a while. Until..”

Bette noticed a tear slowly rolling down Tina’s left cheek. She reached up and wiped it away. 

“Until what?”

“Until I told her about Sam and how she asked me out and how I didn’t say no initially.”