Bette snapped the picture.

“Thank you,” Mikey said, claiming his camera from a distraught Bette. Tina didn’t say anything else. She immediately rushed out the door, followed by the others.

Bette turned around, starting to walk in the opposite direction. Her face burned red as she attempted to grasp what just happened. She grappled with the jealousy swirling through her veins. She stopped moving and put a hand against her head, the shock paralyzing her in place. The brunette felt so pathetic, standing there depressed and unable to collect the pieces of her life, while Tina was so happy. It wasn’t fair that she had to put up with this – Angelica was not supposed to be raised by a traditional family. She was half-black and the daughter of two lesbian mothers. She deserved a family that shared her differences. Angelica shouldn’t be living with people who were so white.

“Bette,” A low voice interrupted her thoughts.

Tina.

Bette inhaled.

“I’m so sorry,” Tina murmured, nearing her. “I didn’t mean..” Tina touched the back of her arm. Bette swiveled around. She sucked in air, distracted by her ex’s scent.

She pulled her arm away.  “It’s fine.”

“Am I not allowed to touch you now?” Tina asked. She chuckled softly, “Are you worried I’ll spread the straight disease?”

Tina’s words set off an eruption of anger in Bette’s body. How fucking dare she. The brunette had remained silent for too long – She had put up with the Henry’s stupid smile and Mikey’s family picture, but this was too much. She was no longer capable of preventing her flood of emotions from pouring out.

“How dare you make a joke about this,” Bette hissed, her body vibrating with anger. “You sit here laughing, rubbing in my face how happy you are to be with this man. In my fucking house!” She spat out, her frustration increasing with each word. “It’s as if all of our years together meant nothing to you.” The steam boiling from her ears was visible at that point. Tears still stained her cheeks, but she was past the point of caring.

Tina breathed deeply. “You know that’s not true! You told me to explore my feelings for men. You left me first. I’m just trying to be happy!” Her tone was exasperated, as if happy was the last thing she really was.

“How’s that going for you?” Bette asked gravelly, looking at Tina with disgust.

“Fine. Thanks.” Tina huffed, edging closer to Bette so their faces were only inches apart.

“Great!” Bette flung her arms in the air with frustration. This whole conversation was pointless. She didn’t notice how close Tina was to her until she caught another whiff of her fruity scent. Startled, she looked at her ex-girlfriend. She noted the creases of sadness lining her forehead, and the way her eyes jetted between Bette’s eyes and lips. Tina’s breathing had gotten more intense, and Bette could almost feel the arousal surging from her.

“You smell good,” Tina whispered suddenly, slipping into a trance. “I missed your smell.”

“Tina…” Bette began.

A moment later, their lips fused together.

Bette became a desperate animal, pulling Tina deeper into the kiss, grappling with her hair and letting her hands travel down the blonde’s back. She kissed her hungrily, the energy invigorating her. Bette’s lips narrated the jealousy she experienced when she saw Tina with someone else, the pain that resulted from Tina leaving her for men, and the passion that she always had for the blonde. She grabbed onto Tina like this was the last time she would ever hold her. Bette kissed Tina as if she was making love to her lips, enjoying the soft moans that escaped Tina’s mouth.

By the time they split apart, both of them were leaning over and gasping for air. They stared at each other for a while, unsure what to make of what just happened.

“Henry’s waiting outside.” Tina said finally, her tone expressionless. Her eyes were still wide with shock. She backed away slowly until she was out of the house, closing the door behind her.

Bette put a finger to her lips as she watched Tina exit.