"Why can’t you?" Bette asked as she stared at Tina’s back.

Because to Tina, it would mean admitting her feelings. It would mean letting someone in only to have them walk out on her. She had meant what she said to Alice about her future relationships being not only about her but about Angelica too. Tina knew without a shadow of a doubt that she had feelings for Bette but those same feelings had been crushed the night of the artist dinner. She didn’t want to subject her daughter to that kind of pain.

She didn’t want Angie to get hurt or disappointed by someone who should be doing the opposite. Kevin was a lesson learned and more than enough reason for Tina to be on her guard with whoever she allowed into her life and into Angelica’s. Bette loved Angelica and Tina knew that but an important fact remained. She was scared.

"Tina . . " Bette’s soft, pleading voice came from directly behind the blonde. Somehow she had once again closed the distance between them.

Tina didn’t know why or how but the words were out of her mouth before she could even stop them, "I saw you kissing her"

Bette didn’t have to ask for an elaboration, she already knew who Tina was talking about. She watched as Tina tried to look over her shoulder, no doubt looking for a reaction. Bette wanted to jump and cheer at the progress she had gotten from Tina but quickly decided that was something she should save for a later time. Preferably after she fixed the situation at hand.

"T . . what you saw . . was a total misunderstanding"

The blonde showed no reaction, she didn’t even move.

"Jan came into my office to celebrate Josephine wanting us to hang her work then I don’t know . . before I knew it, she was kissing me – but I swear Tina, I pushed her off. I didn’t want it, I didn’t want her. I . . I want you"

Bette had hoped that the last sentence would reach the quiet blonde, that she would believe her words. She waited with baited breath for a reaction but all she got was a simple, uncaring shrug.