“Bette?”  Candace moved her hand from her thigh to her forearm.  “What is it?”

Bette turned to look at Candace and shrugged.  She hurt so badly.  “Let’s go,” Bette said, standing.  She took Candace’s hand and led her to the door.

Kit and Ivan watched Bette walked confidently out of the Palms.

_____

Bette put the car in park and turned the key in the ignition to off.  Candace jumped out of the passenger’s side and trotted around to the driver’s side to open the door for Bette.  They hadn’t spoken on the short drive from the Palms to Bette’s house and Candace hoped that Bette wouldn’t have second thoughts.

Showing much more resolve than she felt, Bette took Candace’s hand and stepped out of her car.  It happened quickly–Candace closed the door and then pushed Bette against the car, pinning her with her entire body covering Bette’s.  The carpenter’s kisses were frenzied—pecks to her cheek, tender bites against her neck, warm tongue on her shoulders.  Bette allowed her to explore freely, though her own arms had yet to embrace the woman.  They dangled beside her, offering nothing to Candace who had once again in their interactions been given control.

Candace pulled back and looked into Bette’s eyes as one finger slid down her neck.  “You have the most beautiful neck—sleek and *****.”  Candace’s tongue replaced her finger and Bette sighed deeply.  “Don’t you wanna take this inside?  Inside is good.”

As Candace’s mouth sucked on Bette’s neck, Bette turned away.  When she did, Bette’s eyes fell onto the façade of her home, the home she had made with Tina. 

It took only a moment or two before Candace noticed the change.  “What’s wrong?  What is it?”  She drew back and stared at Bette.

“I am so sorry.  This is just not going to happen.”

Ever so slightly, Candace rolled her eyes and then she sighed with exasperation.  “Why, Bette?  I don’t think you have any reason to feel guilty.  Tina’s gone and from what you said, you’re not all that sure that she’ll be back.  For all you know, Tina’s dating, too.”

Bette stared at Candace in disbelief.  The idea of Tina dating anyone was both absurd and frightening.  “Too?  I’m not dating.  Candace, I don’t feel guilty,” Bette said, shaking her head.  “It’s not guilt, it’s anger.  Tina said something today that really pissed me off. I was trying to get even with her for hurting me by doing this.  This is not what I want.”