Tina lifts her head and nods in agreement before leaning over to tenderly kiss Bette’s back.

Bette smiles and closes her eyes. “If you keep that up, I’m gonna slide back into this bed, which runs the risk of us having a very interesting conversation with our very inquisitive daughter about why I’m here when she gets dropped off in a few hours…”

Tina giggles as she places one last kiss on Bette’s back. “Very true….” She then rests her face on her hand as she watches Bette get dressed. “I’ll walk you out…”

Bette’s eyes trace every curve and line of Tina’s naked form as she gracefully slips out of bed. With a confident stride, Tina crosses the room to the dresser in the corner. She notices Bette’s eyes lingering on her and can’t help but smirk. “Are you having second thoughts, Bette Porter?” she asks with a hint of playfulness in her voice.

“I’m woman enough to admit that I am…” Bette says with a smile as she buttons her shirt.

Tina slips on a T-shirt and a pair of shorts before she follows Bette out of the room….

***

Foyer….

Bette bends down to retrieve her jacket and the scattered items she had carelessly dropped the night before. She then rises and turns to face Tina, her brows slightly furrowed in thought.

“So, we’ll talk later….” Tina says, trying to read Bette’s expression.

“Yeah…but before I go….” Bette says as she wraps her arm around Tina’s waist and pulls her into her body. “I wanna address something you said during our talk…. you mentioned something about rebounds….”

“Bette—”

Bette shakes her head and holds Tina tighter. “I need you to hear this, Tina… I have no idea where we’ll be once we start our very casual trek down this lightly trodden road, but whatever we decide to do, whether we realize that we can’t live without each other or that we should just remain friends, whatever happens….you’re not a rebound, Tina….we’ll see where this goes, but this isn’t that….you will never be that for me….I need you to hear me when I say that to you…” She says as she pulls Tina even closer for emphasis while gently and fondly rubbing Tina’s chin with her thumb.

Tina’s heart races as she gazes into Bette’s piercing eyes. She fights the urge to swoon under herintense gaze, focusing on her words instead. ”I hear you,” she quietly says.

With a gentle touch, Tina brushes down the wrinkles on Bette’s shirt. ”And I feel the same,” she says softly, her eyes meeting Bette’s with an unspoken understanding.

Bette smiles as she leans down and nuzzles her nose against Tina’s. “Well, of course…one of one, remember?”

Tina giggles and shakes her head. “I knew I should have kept that to myself….”

Bette gently laughs. “I’m kidding…”

She inches closer, her breath warm against Tina’s cheek. Their lips meet in a soft, delicate kiss that sends shivers down both of their spines.

Tina’s fingers weave through Bette’s hair as their lips lock in a passionate kiss. She slowly pulls away but keeps her forehead pressed against Bette’s, relishing the moment and the feeling of their breaths mingling together. “You better go…”

Bett nods. “Yeah…” she says, nuzzling their noses one last time.  She leans in and quickly brushes her lips against Tina’s, savoring the warmth and softness before pulling away.

“Text me when you make it home, so I know you made it….” Tina says.

Bette gently nods. “I will…”

Tina opens the door, and Bette gently kisses Tina’s forehead. “Get some sleep…”

Bette’s graceful form disappears through the doorway. After she closes the door, Tina leans against it for a moment. A dreamy smile crosses her face as she softly presses her fingertips to her lips, savoring the lingering sensation of Bette’s kiss. With a contented sigh, she finally walks out of the foyer….

***

Outside…

Bette slides into the driver’s seat, her body humming with satisfaction. She leans forward and rests her forehead against the cool leather of the steering wheel, a contented smile playing on her lips as she replays the night in her mind. She glances up at Tina’s house one last time before starting the car and pulling out of the driveway. She drives slowly down the quiet street, wondering where this casual connection will lead.….