“You did what?!” Alice exclaimed, running to join Tina on the sofa.

“I kissed her Alice, I just walked in there and kissed her”

“Oh my God! What did she do?” Alice looked at Tina eagerly.

“She kissed me back. It was the sweetest, nicest kiss…” Tina stared into space.

“Earth to Tina” Alice grabbed Tina’s arm “You do realise this means something, don’t you?”

“I know, I’m just not sure what”

“She’ll think this means you’ve forgiven her” Alice pointed out.

“Maybe I have” Tina said softly.

“Maybe? You can’t just say maybe”

“Bette knows how I’m feeling right now. She understands not to push it. I’m calling the shots here”

“Good for you”

“I guess…but it means I have to make the decisions”

“Ok, well it’s pretty simple. Do you still love her?” Alice stared at Tina.

“Yes. I know people probably think I’m stupid, but I can’t help it. I’m as much in love with her as I’ve always been” Tina confessed.

“Do you believe that the two of you have a chance?”

“I really hope we do”

“Then you have to try and make it work” Alice advised.

“I know, but there’ll have to be some changes, compromises. We have to do things differently else it’ll just go wrong again”

“I don’t think it’s me that you really need to be saying that to”

“I guess. But thanks for your help, Al”

“Anytime”

*********************************************************************************************************************************************

The next day Tina sat alone in Alice’s house. Alice had to work, and so Tina was left with just herself for company. She didn’t really mind, at least it gave her time to think things over without being interrupted.

The doorbell rang. So much for not being interrupted, she thought to herself as she opened the door.

“Tina Kennard?” the young man at the door asked.

“That’s me”

“These are for you” he handed her a bouquet of flowers “if you could just sign here”

Tina signed the slip, and the boy left. She put the flowers into a vase and set them down on the table. It was only then that she took out the card and read it slowly.

T,
I wanted to say thank you for not giving up on us. I still love you and one day I hope that you can learn to love me and trust me again.
Forever yours,
Bette *****

A single tear trickled down Tina’s cheek. Little things like this were a sign that Bette had started to change. These romantic gestures were something she used to do when they first started dating, but had been noticeably lacking more recently. If they even stood a chance they would have to rebuild the romance, and it looked like Bette was willing to do that. But would she be willing to change? There was only one way to find out. She picked up the phone and dialled the number of Bette’s office at the CAC.

“Hello, Bette Porter’s office?”

“Hi James, may I speak to Bette?”

“Who can I say is calling?” James asked.

“It’s Tina”

“Tina! Well I can’t say I was expecting to hear from you”

“Always expect the unexpected, James”

“With you two I suppose I should”

Tina wondered what Bette had told her colleagues about their break up. Then again, that was really up to Bette, so she decided not to ask.

“Is Bette there?”

“Well she’s got me screening her calls, but I’m sure she’ll have time for you. I’ll just put you through” James said with a smile.

“Thanks”

Tina waited a few moments before the familiar slightly stressed voice came onto the line.

“Hello?”

“Hey Bette”

“T! It’s good to hear from you”

“James said you were quite busy, if you want I could call back…”

“I’m never too busy for you”

Well that’s not strictly true, thought Tina. But hopefully it will be in the future.

“I just wanted to thank you for the flowers” Tina said finally.

“I meant every word”

“I know you did”

“How are you feeling today?” Bette asked.

“Better than I have done in a while”

“I’m really glad” Bette said genuinely.

“You know things aren’t gonna magicly go back to how they were”

“I have no intention of going back. We need to move forward”

“Things need to change” Tina added.

“Slowly”

“Slowly” Tina confirmed.

“Would you let me take you out for dinner one night this week?” Bette asked nervously.

“I’d like that”

“When’s good for you?”

“My schedule’s pretty empty, so I’m free anytime. Just fit me in when you’re not too busy with work”

“T, this is the first thing that’s gonna change. I’m not fitting you around work, I’ll fit work around you”

Tina smiled “That means a lot”

“You mean a lot. How about tomorrow night?”

“That sounds good to me”

“Great, I’ll pick you up about seven”

“Ok, I’ll see you then”

“Oh, and T?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you”

“I know” Tina said softly, and hung up the phone. She wasn’t ready to say it back.

Bette held onto the phone for a minute before putting it down. She didn’t know what she’d expected Tina to say, but it still hurt. Deep down she knew Tina wasn’t ready to say “I love you” back, but she still longed to hear it. But then again, it made her all the more determined to do everything she could to hear it once again.