The girl placed the order on the bar and Bette handed her a couple of notes to cover the drinks.

“All kinds of wrong” Bette agreed looking intently at Shane.

“We’d better get these back to the table,” Shane prompted “before Alice sends a search party.” 

The night went on with easy conversation and plenty of alcohol to fuel it. Alice was going on about some new editor at LA Magazine when Tina’s hand found its way around the back of Bette’s neck and pulled her close

“I want you on the dance floor, now.” She whispered. Bette’s heart raced as Tina’s warm breath tickled her ear. Tina didn’t wait for a response, taking Bette’s hands in hers she pulled Bette from her seat and began walking backwards toward the dance floor. The change in Bette’s expression registered but not until Tina felt herself collide with another body.

“I’m so sorry” The apology was a reflex, Tina turned from Bette to see who it was she’d hit and broke into a cold sweat

“Tina” Was the anxious reply.

Both women froze neither able to look away. Tina felt her cheeks begin to burn.

“I…*****…what can I say?” Candace looked like she was standing on hot coals.

“How about I’m sorry for ***** your wife?” Tina offered, trying to keep her voice level while her expression gave away her true feelings for Candace.

Candace looked away as if stung by the words

“Bette’s a big girl, she made her own choices”

“T” Bette’s tone was tense as she placed her hand firmly on Tina’s shoulder.

“I don’t care what you do or who you sleep with but if you come near Bette again, I swear I’ll…” Tina kept her voice low but was determined to make her point.

“Tina!” Bette pleaded

“Stay out of this Bette,” Tina warned not taking her eyes off Candace “I’d really like to know how you can show your face around here.”

“You have this confused” Candace shook her head “I’m not the one who cheated on my partner. Maybe you should be asking yourself why she needed to go and look outside your relationship for…”

“That’s enough,” Bette interjected “Tina we’re leaving” Bette grabbed Tina’s hand and dragged her from Candace.

“I didn’t need you to come to my ***** rescue Bette.” Tina hissed.

“You’re drunk. The last thing I need is you and Candace going at each other.”

“The last thing you need,” Tina was incensed “that’s right Bette, I forgot, it’s all about you.”

“You know what I mean” Bette snapped, her patience running thin under stress. She knew that she had to get Tina away from Candace or there would be a fight, Tina was clearly vying for one “We’re going home”

“I don’t want to go home” Tina protested.

“I don’t care, we’re leaving before you start something that you can’t finish.”

Despite the verbal objections Tina was too intoxicated to resist Bette’s will and it wasn’t long before they were in her car and on their way home.

Bette’s mind reeled as she tried to comprehend what had just happened. In a heartbeat their evening had slipped from mindless fun straight into *****. West Hollywood wasn’t so small that they had to be bumping up against Candace at every turn. Things had been going well but they were still far from perfect and Bette was concerned about how this little encounter would impact on the progress they’d worked so hard for. She sighed looking across at Tina who stared out the window, her face hidden in the darkness.

TBC