‘I bought this, I wasn’t sure what we were eating but pretty sure I remember you saying once how you liked a red.’ Bette held out a bottle which Tina took and felt foolishly touched by the idea of Bette remembering things about her.

‘Red is perfect.’

Bette smiled as Tina took the wine, their hands touched ever so briefly over the bottle and Bette felt the familiar tingle she had begun to associate with Tina. As she watched her move to the kitchen, Bette was captivated by the way Tina moved. She looks amazing. She glanced around Tina’s living room to find it tastefully decorated. Paintings adorned the walls, artistically arranged and she smiled as her eyes fell on one she recognized.

‘Tell me T, isn’t it a little conceited to have a print of your own painting on your wall?’ She teased as Tina walked back in with two glasses of wine.

‘Ha, I see, so it’s like that is it? Well seeing as the original has been stolen by some control freak of a gallery owner, I had no choice but to buy a print.’ Tina chuckled back.

‘Control freak? God, she sounds abysmal. Must be horrible working for someone like that.’ Bette took the glass Tina offered and took a sip, not breaking her eye contact.

‘Working for, oh no, if anything she works for me. I mean, I am the star of her gallery so, you know…’ Tina trailed off grinning at Bette. Her eyes sparkled and she felt exhilarated with the smile she was causing on Bette’s face. She returned her gaze at the print in question.

‘Star of her gallery huh? Well I hope she’s making you feel special then… I mean, to have your own work stolen… just terrible.’ Bette chuckled back. They had taken part in similar interactions at the gallery but Bette had always been aware of overstepping the mark, however, with everything that had transpired over the last 24 hours, she felt the huge restrictions on their relationship lifted and she was enjoying relaxing into the comfortable flirting.

‘She is making me feel pretty special actually.’ Tina held Bette’s gaze. She took a sip of her wine and blushed under Bette’s eyes. ‘I think the starter is just about ready if you’d like to come and sit down?’ She gestured towards the dining room end of her living room where she had prepared the table.