Tina laughs softly. “I think you know what kind and where….” she replies, her eyes dancing with unspoken secrets.

Bette licks her lips, a teasing gesture full of promise. “Anything I can do to help?” she inquires, her tone both innocent and suggestive.

“I’ll think about it and let you know…” Tina murmurs quietly, her voice a soft promise.

Bette leans in, capturing Tina’s lips in a quick, tender kiss that leaves them both momentarily breathless.

“You two love birds wanna sit down so we can eat?” Alice calls out, breaking through their bubble of intimacy with a grin.

Tina steals another quick kiss before tugging Bette by the hand toward their chairs. Their fingers intertwine, thumbs stroking against each other.

Bette slides behind Tina’s chair and pulls it out with a slight bow. Tina sinks into the seat, her hand lingering on Bette’s wrist.

”Must be nice,” Lara mutters, eyes flicking to Dana, who suddenly becomes very interested in rearranging her silverware, shifting her knife a quarter inch to the left, then back again.

Bette takes her seat at the head of the table, next to Tina, as she notices the tension simmering between Dana and Lara but chooses to mind her business. She grabs her beer and holds it up. “Cheers everybody….”

Tina smiles, her eyes sparkling as she joins in. “To Carmen and Shane….and to their upcoming epic bachelorette parties.

Carmen laughs. “Hell yeah…to Wine vs. Whisky…”

“Hear, hear…” Everyone echoes, their voices mingling in a cheerful chorus before they dig into their dinner, the air filled with playful banter and lighthearted conversation….

***

Later, Bette clicks the deadbolt, leans her shoulder against the door, and crosses her arms.

Tina straightens the lapels of her coat, a half-smile tugging at her lips. “Baby… I told you I’m sleeping at home tonight…”

“Why?” Bette’s voice is quiet, curious under the tiredness.

Tina chuckles. “Because I’m running out of essentials here, babe…I just need to go home to get fresh underwear, clothes…”

Bette pouts, one brow arching. “Are you sure it has nothing to do with Michelle?”

Tina steps forward, brushing a loose strand of Bette’s hair behind her ear. “Hell no. It has nothing to do with her. I promise.” She presses her hands against Bette’s waist, and her fingers dance along the hem of her shirt. “Listen—if this thing with Michelle blows up, I’ll step back—”

Bette shakes her head, touching Tina’s cheek. “Hey, don’t you even think that.”

Tina’s shoulders dip in a soft slump. “I’m just saying, baby… if she somehow turns this into a big deal, I want you to do whatever you need to for your son.”

Bette’s hand drifts into Tina’s hair, tangling in blonde strands. Her voice cracks with emotion. “I love you so fucking much…” Tears glisten at the corners of her eyes.

Tina’s smile is gentle. “And I love you.”

Bette presses her forehead to Tina’s. “There’s no way Michelle’s going to dictate what I do with my life… who I love, who I share my bed with.” She closes her eyes, as if sealing the promise. “I appreciate your offer to step aside, T, but there’s no fucking way I’m letting you go again. Ever. Understood?”

Tina’s nod is firm. “Understood.”

Bette leans in, planting soft pecks along Tina’s neck. “You still sore?”

Tina grins, tilting her head. “I know what you’re doing, and you’re going to stop it right now, Bette Porter.”

Bette feigns innocence. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

A low laugh rumbles from Tina’s chest. She closes her eyes as Bette’s mouth finds the pulse at her throat. “I said, stop that…” she murmurs, but her breath hitches into a moan.

Bette lifts her head, eyebrows dancing in triumph.

Tina cracks an eye open and gives her a mock-stern look. “Why’d you stop?”

Bette laughs, arms winding around Tina’s waist as she resumes kissing her neck and gently backs them toward the hallway.

Their laughter echoes off the walls. Tina’s purse clatters to the floor, forgotten, as she hooks her arms around Bette’s neck. “Fine… one more night. But I’m going home tomorrow night.”

“K,” Bette murmurs against her skin.

Tina’s laughter softens into another pleasure-laced moan as they slip past the slightly ajar door of the kids’ room—where tiny snores drift out—and disappear behind Bette’s bedroom door….