She went to her office the next morning and concentrated on her workas much as possible. The phone loomed next to her and she started about a hundred times to pick it up and call Bette. But something kept stopping her.

She couldn’t forget Val’s words to her. “Bette Porter does not do relationships” and Bette Porter will break your heart.” Did she really want to give her body and her heart to this woman. She didn’t even know if she would like ***** with a woman, but something told her that she would like it with Bette. She liked and trusted Val and knew Val was genuinely worried about her interest in Bette. Maybe she should pay attention.

Tina was very confused about what to do. It was so unlike anything in her experience that she was not secure about her decisions. It wasn’t just that Bette was a woman, although that was a factor. It was that she had never before wanted anyone like this in her life. The fantasies she had about Bette embarrassed her. It was pretty bad, she thought, when you made yourself blush. She had never before thought, much less said, that she was in love. When she had revealed this to Val, she was surprised she had said it. But she instantly knew it was the truth.

Tina had never pursued a romantic interest in her life. Romantic interests had always pursued her. and now she didn’t know the steps to take. She had initiated a kiss because Bette had said that her girlfriend was coming back to town. Tina wanted Bette to understand her interest but that may have been the wrong thing to do. She told herself that Bette was interested in her, but maybe Bette was just annoyed. She had a really gorgeous girlfriend. And she had said, ‘No.’

Tina usually knew exactly how to handle things in her personal life, but not this time.

Carolyn

“I’m leaving if you don’t have anything else for me to do,” Carolyn said to Bette as she was standing in the door of Bette’s office.

Bette looked up, “No, no, go home.” But as Carolyn moved away from the door Bette called, “Carolyn,” and she stopped and returned to the door. “Did Tina Kennard call?” Bette asked, almost shyly.