Chapter 18

Tina and Bette quit breathing simultaneously. The pull was still there because before Tina knew it the door slowly opened, and she was met with those perfectly brown eyes, the mocha skin, semi-unruly dark locks that she loved so much, the amazing physique, and for the first time in so long she was able to be touching distance from those luscious lips; it took all of Tina’s will-power not to kiss those lips that were beckoning her name. Taunting her almost.

Bette stood there in tears not knowing what to do, what to say, what to think. It was all too much. Tina’s eyes burst into tears at the sight of her old lover. At sight of the love of her life. The tears poured and before she knew it they were both sitting in the hallway just starring at each other. Moments, seconds, minutes past with out a word. Just starring in disbelief. Tears cascaded down each of their cheeks. Tina was the first to even move a muscle. She put her index on Bette cheek and caressed it. Bette leaned into the touch and sighed.

“Bette.”

“Tee.”

“We need to talk.”

“I don’t want to talk right now, all talking does it make things complicated.”

“Can anything get anymore complicated than I already is?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“No.”

Tina giggled. Bette tensed under the spell of Tina’s giggled. Her whole body stiffened afraid to move because the laugh would end, Tina would evaporate, and this would all be over. A dream.

“Tee, are you really here?”

“I am Bette, but this doesn’t change anything.”

Bette felt pain. Need. She needed to tell Tina everything she felt. It would probably drive her away, but she needed to get the things off her chest she’d been feeling for so long.

“I still love you, I’m sorry, and I want and still need you.”

“Bette, I love you too, but we need to talk. I’m not ready to give my heart to anyone right now. I just went through a divorce; and I have Spencer to think about now.”

“Spencer?”

“My daughter. She’s 16.”

“So weird; so is Ashley.”

“Yah I’ve already met Ashley.”

“Huh?”

“At the concert.”

“Oh yah, but Tee-”

“Bette, how about for now you call me Tina.”

Tina was quickly losing her resolve with every mention of her old nick-name. It was killing her. She needed to be strong and resist Bette. She had every intention of taking Bette back, but she needed to be sure that this time she could appreciate her, and Spencer.