“You don’t have to think about it that way Tee. Sexuality is fluid; you just need to follow your heart.”

“That’s easier said than done.”

“What’s your heart telling you now?”

“I don’t even know what I’m feeling much less what my heart is telling me. I’ve been so unfair to Henry; stringing him along when he knows there is something wrong. He knows I’m not happy. I suspect he knows about these feelings. I’m not getting what I need from him but I’ve been using him to keep these feelings at bay.”

“What feelings? Is there someone else?”

“There is someone else.”

“Is it Kate?”

“What?”

“Kate Arden.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Tee … Kate Arden. Come on.”

“What about her … what do you want me to say? I mean…”

“What about Kate Arden. Is she the one you have feelings for?”

Tina could understand how Bette might have come to that conclusion after she’d brought Kate to her dinner party, but was she really that clueless? Anyone could see that Kate was just a substitute, but it wasn’t fair to Bette to reveal it now especially if she were in love with Jodi. Tina too decided to play it safe.

“Okay yes. She’s attractive. I’m attracted to her. It’s just she’s hot; she’s smart. It’s crazy. She’s not interested in me.”

“She’s interested.”

“No..”

“So you’re back with women now?”

“What?”

“You’re back with women?”

“Would that bother you?”

“What that you’re back with women? … No Tee of course not. I just want you to be happy.”

“I want you to be happy too Bette.”

“So are you going to ask her out?”

“I’m not ready. I want to be on my own for a while. Besides that’s messy. That’s really messy. I’m working with her. It would be unprofessional.”

“Yeah. I wish I’d never gotten involved with someone I worked with. I just was starting to do so well on my own. Fucking Jodi. Fuck.”

Tina was glad to steer the conversation back to Bette and Jodi.

“I’m not surprised that you’re running from her. You finally met someone that won’t put up with your shit.”