Annie, I dont know if Ill be back today or not said Tina as she walked out of her office.

Oh yeah? And where might you be off to? asked Tinas assistant.

Well, I believe lunch with my elusive other half, but until we are actually sitting at the table looking at a menu, its anyones guess laughed Tina as she zipped up her laptop bag.

Well thats nice said Annie. Its been a while since the two of you have done something like this, lunch in the middle of the week

Trust me, I am painfully aware of that. Actually, its part of the reason for this lunch explained Tina. Its time I set Ms. Porter straight about a couple of things.

Not that I know Bette all that well said Annie, but she doesnt seem like the kind of woman who is used to being set straight

Well, well just have to see about that smiled Tina. If you see me this afternoon, I will be sure to fill you in, but if I have anything to say about this, and I certainly believe that I do, you wont see me until tomorrow morning.

Cool. Well have fun!

Thanks and do me a favor she said as she began to walk down the hall. Please dont forward any calls to my cell cause it wont be on, ok?

Got it she answered.

Tina walked out of her office building to her car. After loading everything in the trunk, she began the 30 minute drive to Bettes gallery.

Along the way, she couldnt help her excitement that began to mount at just the thought of seeing Bette. It wasnt as if this was a long stretch that they had gone without seeing the other, but three plus days was enough for her.

Thinking back to their conversation last night, she couldnt help but smile at Bettes ability to turn down the heat of her anger with just the right words or sultry chuckle. The trick was not to let Bette know that she had this power over her so that she could wield as much control over a situation as possible without totally giving into Bette, which she admitted to herself, was usually quite easy to do given Bettes persuasive talents.

That woman could get me to do just about anything in the world for her she chuckled. I just cant let her know that, not yet anyway she thought.




As usual, Bette was having an extremely busy day. She looked at her watch and saw that it was already 1:30. Making me wait, huh T? she thought to herself.

She had not spoken to Tina since they had hung up last night. She knew that she had pissed Tina off but just hoped that she had mended at least a couple of fences before they got off the phone.

She hated seeing Tina as little as she had of late, but quite honestly, didnt know what to do. She didnt feel as if the hours that she was spending at the gallery were wasted, quite the opposite actually. This gallery was her baby and she was determined to see it thrive. She kept saying to herself, just another couple of months working these hours, but those months kept extending to a couple of more and she knew that Tinas patience was wearing thin. Who was she kidding? Her own patience was wearing thin. She was just not sure how to bring the right balance to everything.

***** she muttered out loud as she returned her focus to the folder in front of her.



Tina parked her car next to Bettes and after checking herself out in the mirror, made her way to the gallery. As she entered, she had the same tingling sensation that she always got when she walked in here. This place was just so Bette. It oozed Bette from every possible place, all of her senses assaulted at the same time in both expectation and excitement.

Sharon looked up just as Tina was walking in the door. She was always amazed at the physical beauty of both women, but put the two together, and it was almost breath taking.

Hey she said to Tinas approaching form.

Hey she smiled, walking right up to her desk.

How are you doing?

Pretty good and you?

Pretty good she smiled. Lowering her voice she added conspiratorially, Probably better once you get her out of here jerking her thumb over her shoulder towards Bettes office.

That bad, huh? laughed Tina.

Lets just say that she is due, over due actually, for a break from here.

I couldnt agree more laughed Tina.

Couldnt agree more with what? asked Bette as she approached the two women talking in hushed tones.

My, what good hearing you have laughed Tina as she took in the sight of Bette walking towards her.

As usual, she did not disappoint. She was dressed in one of her normal suits but had left her jacket in the office and the beautiful blue color of her blouse against her skin took her breath away.

If Bette noticed the catch in Tinas breath at seeing her, she did not show it.

Hey she said as she stood in front of Tina.

Hey Tina softly replied as she leaned in for a kiss.

Bette softly kissed her hello while wrapping an arm around her waist. Tina naturally allowed her weight to slightly settle against her, loving the feeling of Bette holding onto her.

As Bette pulled back, she repeated her question.

The two of you are in agreement on?

Tina looked at Sharon and just giggled. Thats just between the two of us, babe.

So, thats the way its gonna be, huh? said Bette.

Yep said Sharon and Tina at the same time.

Hmmm was all Bette said as she pulled away from Tina.

You bout ready, babe? Tina asked Bette.

Yep, just need to grab my keys.

What about your jacket, bag, all that stuff?

I dont need all of that for lunch, T said Bette as she made her way to her office.

Babe, just go ahead and pack all of that up instructed Tina as she followed Bette to her office.

What do you have up your sleeves, Ms. Kennard? asked Bette with a raised eyebrow, crossing her arms across her chest as she stood behind her desk.

Nothin she replied with a ***** smile. I just want to be prepared if we decide to turn our lunch into a long lunch or maybe even an early dinner she said, her own brow raised suggestively.

I see said Bette.

Good, than I shouldnt have to explain further said Tina still smiling at Bette.

No, I guess you wont she chuckled as she began to turn off her laptop and gather her things.

As they passed Sharons desk, Bette slowed and said, I may be back, but Ill call regardless.

Ok said Sharon as Tina quickly turned without Bette seeing her and mouthed, No she wont.

Have fun Sharon called out to the two women as they left. Were all pulling for you Tina she said under her breath as they walked out.

As they got to their cars, Bette said, So, where to T?

Well, I was thinking about that little French bistro not far from your house. You know, the one with the outside terrace?

Chez Henri? asked Bette.

Thats it! said Tina. I was trying to think of the name of that place the entire drive over here. I figured that we could just drop a car at your house and then drive together to the restaurant.

Ok, works for me agreed Bette as she threw everything onto the backseat of her car.

Wanna follow me? smiled Tina.

Sure said Bette as she returned the smile.

They made their way to Bettes house where she quickly took everything inside and then came back out to jump in Tinas car.

After closing her door, Bette said, I feel kinda like Im playing hooky.

Tina leaned over before backing out of Bettes driveway and gave her a long lingering kiss.

Does it feel all bad? she whispered into her lips.

Uh, not all bad whispered Bette as she slowly pulled Tina back in for another kiss, this time deepening it by slowly parting Tinas lips with her tongue.

God, babe Tina moaned into Bettes parted lips.

Maybe we should just skip lunch whispered Bette into Tinas ear that she was tasting with her lips and tongue.

Tina took a deep breath to clear her head and placing the palm of her hand on Bettes chest, gently pushed her back.

As much as I would like nothing better than to go into the house and rip your clothes off, we have a date and we are going to keep it she said, nodding her head in determination.

Whatever you want, T smiled Bette as she moved back over to her side of the car.

Tina just watched Bette, the knowledge of the effect that she had on Tinas body causing her to smile like the Cheshire Cat.

Well see how this one plays out Tina thought to herself as she pulled out of the driveway to head towards the restaurant.

Once there, they were seated outside at a table for two. They practically had the patio to themselves as it was after 2pm and the lunch crowd had pretty much left.

Nice, huh? Tina said to Bette as she reached over for her hand.

It is, T. This was a great call.

So, what would it take to get my girlfriend out of that gallery more often? she asked.

God smiled Bette. How much time do you have? she chuckled.

Just then, their server came over asking if they would like something to drink.

Can I see the wine list please? asked Tina.

Sure, Ill be right back he replied.

Wine list, T? asked Bette. Baby, I cant drink at lunch and then go back to work she tried to explain.

So, I guess that you wont be going back to work then she answered, the expression on her face leaving no room for debate.

Here you go said the server as he handed the list to Tina. After quickly scanning it, she chose a bottle of pinot gris for them.

A bottle, T? asked Bette after the server walked away, wondering what was going through Tinas mind.

Well, since weve determined that neither of us have to be anywhere for the rest of the afternoon, I dont see why not she said, winking at Bette.

Bette sat back in her chair and crossing her legs, looked over at Tina and said, Ok T. You wanna tell me whats going on?

Tina just looked back and said, Why does something have to be going on for us to go out to lunch and spend some time together? After all, isnt that what most couples do?

Bette was momentarily at a loss for words because she now realized that this was tying back into their conversation last night.

No, T. Youre absolutely right she quickly replied. There doesnt have to be anything going on for us to have lunch together.

Uh huh. As I thought said Tina, watching Bette trying to make her way around this possible minefield.

Ladies, may I take your order? asked the server as he brought their bottle of wine to the table.

Know what you want, babe? asked Tina as she perused the menu.

Oh, I could settle on something she said, making a decision.

After they both ordered, Tina raised her glass of wine in toast and said, To needing no reason to have lunch together during the middle of the week.

Absolutely said Bette as she lightly tapped her glass against Tinas.

So, tell me about your day, babe Tina said to Bette after taking a sip of the wine.

Mmmm, thats good said Bette after tasting the wine.

See? laughed Tina.

I do, I do, I do chuckled Bette. I am slowly crossing over to your side…

Finally laughed Tina.

She loved it when Bette finally relaxed and truly enjoyed herself. This was the side of Bette that she so missed. Before the gallery was opened, demanding all of Bettes time, they had spent many hours together, just enjoying the others presence with no agenda or schedule to adhere to. This state of relaxation was where she was trying to get Bette before she broached the real reason for this lunch.

So, your day, babe?

The next hour was spent just catching up with the other. It seemed like it had been forever since the two of them had spent any quality time alone with each other.

After they were finished eating and the plates cleared, the server asked them if there was anything else that he could get them.

Actually, I think that we are just going to sit and finish our wine Tina told him.

Certainly, take your time he said.

Bette looked over at Tina and said, Why do I have the feeling that there is more to this lunch than just spending a little time together?

Tina took a deep breath and said, Well, maybe there was something that I wanted to talk to you about.

Ah hah! I knew it! cried Bette. Little Miss Why does something have to be going on for us to go out to lunch and spend some time together.

Well, I meant that Bette Tina quickly said. There just happens to be something that I want to talk to you about also though she admitted.

Uh huh said Bette.

Reaching for her wine glass, Tina took a sip of her wine and watched Bette watching her expectantly. Now that she had opened this Pandoras Box, she began to feel a bit nervous.

So? said Bette, eyebrow arched in inquiry.

So started Tina, placing her glass of wine back on the table. Drawing deep within herself for strength, she said, Bette, I think that you know that I have been unhappy with the amount of time that we have been spending together, or lack of time we have been spending together she clarified.

Bette said nothing, just nodded her head in acknowledgement.

Well, I think that somethings gonna have to give she said, looking Bette directly in the eyes.

T she began.

Bette she interrupted, just hear me out.

Ok she said, slowly exhaling.

Im in love with you Bette. You know that right? she asked, searching Bettes face.

Well, yeah said Bette softly.

And so, given that Im in love with you, I dont think that it is particularly odd that I would want to spend more time with you, right?

Bette just nodded her head.

Baby, I understand that your career is in a very unique place right now and that you need to spend more time at the gallery than you would like.

Again, Bette just sat there listening to what it was that Tina wished to say.

But baby, so are we. We are in a very unique place also and as much time as you need to spend cultivating your gallery, I need you to spend some time helping our relationship grow and develop as well. She looked at Bette to be sure that she was really hearing what it was that she was saying.

Does that make sense, baby?

Yes she said. I just dont know how to make time for everything, T she softly admitted.

I understand that, Bette she quickly said, reaching for Bettes hand to let her know that she really did get the position that Bette was in.

Which is why I have been trying to come up with a solution said Tina as she slid her chair over next to Bettes. And I actually think that I have come up with one she said as she smiled at Bette.

Are you going to try and pull a Dolly on me? asked Bette.

No, baby laughed Tina at Bettes reference to the cloned sheep. Even I think that one Bette Porter in this world is enough.

Well then asked Bette, whats your solution?

Tina took a deep breath and looking directly into Bettes eyes said, I want us to live together.

Bette just sat there, totally in shock at what Tina had just said. Their living together had never even entered her mind as she didnt really think of herself as one to move in with a girlfriend. She had never asked anyone to live with her and she had certainly never been asked.

Baby? she heard Tina say.

Yeah Bette responded, not really sure what to say.

Well? she asked, searching Bettes face for a sign of what she was thinking.

Wow, T. I have to admit, I didnt see that coming Bette admitted.

Tina sat back in her chair and just watched Bette. She knew that Bette had never lived with a significant other before, but was a little surprised that she had not known that this was where she was going.

So? asked Tina. I take it that this never crossed your mind?

Uh, not really, T she said.

And why is that? asked Tina. Are you ok with the amount of time that we spend apart from each other? anger beginning to creep into her voice.

No Tina, you know that I am not happy about that. Its just she paused, searching for the right way to say this without coming off cold and unfeeling. Its just that I didnt see our living together as the solution to the lack of time spent together she softly said.

So, is that a no? Tina asked, studying her hands that were resting in her lap.

No, of course its not a no Bette quickly said. Look, T. Im just being honest with you. If you would rather I lie and tell you that I had been thinking about our moving in together, than I will, but it would simply not be the truth.

Tina felt the tears beginning to form in her eyes and knew that she wanted to leave this place.

Ok, Im gonna go she said as she stood to leave.

Tina, wait said Bette as she stood up as well reaching for Tinas arm.

No Bette. Im sorry. I guess that Im just in a different place with us than you are she said as she pulled away.

Tina, thats not true said Bette as she tried to get Tina to stay, but it was Tinas back that she was speaking to as she had already walked off of the patio and into the restaurant to leave.

Bette quickly got the waiters attention and asked for the check, but by the time that she had paid it, Tina was gone, the spot where they had parked the car hours ago, now vacant.

God damnit she said in frustration as she turned in the direction of her house to walk the few blocks home.

Way to ***** go Porter she said out loud as she listened to the sound of her heels tapping on the sidewalk as she made her way home.