«I was intimidated by you… You weren’t exactly in the best of mood when I first met you», was all Tina said.

Bette gave her a surprised look. «I thought you were the kind of woman who didn’t get intimidated»

Tina smiled. «Maybe not professionally, but personally that’s another story». She paused for a few seconds, then she added: «Alice told me some pretty interesting things about you when I saw her earlier»

Bette felt suddenly uncomfortable. She never knew what Alice could blurt out. «Why did she talk about me ?».

Again, that smirk. «Because I asked… Are you mad ?»

Bette tried to hide her joy that Tina was finally showing some interest in her. «No, just surprised I guess…What did you find out? Or am I better not knowing…»

«That if you look past the woman who wants to be in control of everything, you’ll find a very sweet, caring and romantic person»

Bette didn’t know what to make of that statement. «Did you believe her?». Bette held her breath, waiting for Tina’s answer.

«How could I ? I’ve never seen that side of you», Tina replied softly, her eyes traveling down from Bette’s warm brown eyes to her lips. Bette saw that as an invitation for a kiss. She slowly leaned closer and when Tina didn’t pull away, she covered her lips with hers, kissing her gently.

«What do you think now?». Bette’s voice was filled with desire and lust.

«I think Alice was right about you being sweet and caring», Tina admitted, her fingers gently brushing across Bette’s flustered cheek.

«What about the romantic part ?». Bette’s mouth was only inches from Tina’s soft lips.

«I still haven’t seen that side of you». Tina was definitely flirting with her.

«Where do you live?», Bette suddenly asked.

«Excuse me ?». Tina had a perplexed look on her face.

«I’ll pick you up tomorrow night and show you how romantic I can be…»

«Are you asking me out on a date?». Was it Bette’s imagination or did Tina seemed pleased about the idea ?

«Yes, I am…»

«I thought you didn’t care if I was straight or gay…»

«I lied, so sue me»

Tina pulled a pen and paper from her purse and wrote down her address. Bette took it and stood up. «Aren’t you staying to watch the sunset?», Tina wondered.

«Not anymore, there is something important I have to take care of…», Bette replied, starting to walk away.

«Bette?» That was the first Tina was calling her by her first name and she loved the sound of that. She turned around.

«Yeah?»

Tina avoided her eyes. «My girlfriend left me nine months ago for another woman and it’s still hard sometimes, you know ?»

Tina was letting her know that she was vulnerable and Bette’s protective instincts went into overdrive. She didn’t know Tina at all, but she also had the deepest feeling that she was the kind of woman who was worth the wait. «Here’s a little something Alice didn’t tell you about me. I can be very patient too…». Tina’s beautiful face flooded with relief.

«One more thing… I don’t want anybody to know about this. Some people could think that I’m in a conflict of interest because of the zoning process with the city and… I probably am»

«In that case, I better not tell Alice…», Bette said and this time, she got a genuine laugh out of Tina.