“Thanks,” Tina said as she watched Bette place some clothing on the shelf.

When she stepped out of the shower, she was more than surprised.

_____

Tina opened the bathroom door and stepped out into the cool evening air that circulated so well through the house.  Bette walked up the hall, meeting her with the glass of sparkling water.  “Shower, okay?”

“Perfect.  I miss those showerheads.”

Bette smiled faintly.  “I’m going… just give me a few minutes.”  She passed by, then turned and said, “Tina, you look great in that.”

“Thanks.”

“I always liked that outfit on you.  You know, I found it balled up in the back of the closet.  When I was going to the cleaners, I took it in, too.”

“Bette, don’t you remember the last time I had it on?”

“No, when?”

“When we were going to meet Melvin.  You walked in, saw me wearing it and demanded that I change.”

“Why?  That dress really shows off your curves.”  Bette was truly stumped as to why she’d insisted on a change of clothing.  Her eyes trailed down the dress, admiring her in a way that had Tina feeling both modestly embarrassed and pleasantly stimulated.  “It just clings to you.”  Bette appreciated her the way she might a beautiful painting, but she pulled back, looked up at Tina and smiled.  “Okay, I won’t be long.” 

Tina felt a tightness in her stomach.  She was not going to let anything happen tonight.  This was going to be dinner and dinner only.  No matter how aroused Tina was, she was not going to linger on the way Bette’s gaze had skimmed down her body or the open compliments from her.  And she certainly wasn’t going to tackle the reason why Bette had picked a *****, lavender thong to go with the dress when she probably had a dozen other types of underwear to choose from. 

_____

When Bette exited the bathroom fifteen minutes later, she was wearing a pair of faded Earl Jean low-rise jeans and a white C and C classic T under her zip front black leather jacket.  Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail.  The once over that Bette had given Tina was nothing compared to the way Tina looked at her.  Both women turned away, not able to comprehend exactly what was happening between them.