Each woman squinted in turn as the blazing California sun met their eyes. Dana gingerly stepped out of Alices building, clutching her head in misery, Oh, god, I feel awful! Alice pushed her out of the way and bounded down the steps, You had like two glasses, lightweight! Shane slumped down onto the steps and pulled out her morning cigarette along with her phone to check her messages. Both Bette and Tina, who luckily had changed after work before heading to Alices, looked remarkably disheveled in their wrinkled clothes. Sowho wants to go to Dennys? Alice asked brightly, putting on her shades. Everyone except Shane (preoccupied with messages) glared, to which she quickly replied, Cmon, dont you remember college: youd get trashed all night and then go get breakfast someplace really shady the next day!

Bette: Theres only one difference now

Alice: Being?

Tina: Were not eighteen anymore and we have jobs

Alice: That would technically be two differences

Shane snapped her phone shut and looked up at the party-pooper pair, I think you guys should call in sick, becausetechnically you areand come to breakfast with us. Finally taking the first step down, Dana chimed in, Yeah, lets just go, I could use some ***** coffee. The three chipmunks walked ahead to the Mini, leaving Tina and Bette to discuss their plan of action:

Tina: I think Im gonna go in late to work today, Im actually really hungry

Bette: Well, I wish I had that luxury

Tina: Babe, you own your own gallery

Bette: Which means I have even more responsibilities that I cant just shirk off.

Tina fished into her purse for her sunglasses and looked up at Bette after donning them, Well, Im kinda in a shirking mood right now, she said with a smile. Bettes lips curled into a grin of their own accord, Have fun, she said a little too sweetly. Tina leaned in for a kiss which Bette conceded to, and pulled on her neck to lengthen it when Bette tried to pull away. With a final brush of her tongue across Bettes lips, Tina released her hold and gently pushed Bettes shoulder, Off you go! Bette smiled and put on her shades, waving to the others and giving Tina a peculiar look.

***

The gang managed to all squeeze into a corner booth at Dennys. Their male waiter seemed a little flustered, because cmon, even hungover and unkempt, they are a good-looking groupanyways.

So is Gabby all out of your system, Dana asked after handing the waiter their menus. For the most part, and even if she wasnt, I wouldnt be seeing her after finding you guys IN my apartment waiting for us like you were the freakin’ FBI. Tina and Shane high-fived each other across the table, earning them an approving node from Dana.

Shane: Its a beautiful day outside, you guyswe really need to go out there and savor it.

Alice: All Im interested in savoring right now is my bacon!

Dana: Are we still doing poker night today?

Alice: Humph! I doubt Bette will be up to that tonight

Tina caressed the rim of her coffee cup with the tip of her middle finger, deep in thought. I think I can get her to soften up, she said, sounding far off.

Dana: Awesome!

Shane: Anyone wanna go to the beach?

Alice: (to Tina) What is going on in that little head of yours?

***

Oh, finally, Bette sighed breathlessly. She had spent every minute of the morning running around the gallery trying to get things in order and placate pissy artists. She eased her shoes off and sat back in her chair, closing her eyes and relishing the stillness of her office. I should eat something, she suddenly thought, but Im not really that hungrymaybe Ill just have Carla pick me up a sandwich or somethinga BLT sounds good right about now.

Who are you talking to?

Bettes body snapped upright at the sound of Tinas soft question; she hadnt realized that she was actually muttering out loud. Thinking about lunchout loud apparently, she explained, blushing slightly. Tina smiled and revealed the plastic bag she was holding behind her back, All taken care ofis a BLT, okay?

Bette: (smiling) I didnt even hear you come in

Tina: Thats because you were talking to yourselfthey say thats the first sign of insanity.

Bette chuckled mockingly at Tinas teasing and relaxed back into her chair, How was breakfast? Tina shrugged her shoulders as she emptied out the bag, Shane almost convinced me to go spend the day at the beachbut I remembered the farmers market was open todaybaby, they had the most beautiful squash! Bette lifted her eyebrows dramatically, an expression which didnt go unnoticed by Tina. She grabbed the plastic cutlery and chucked it in Bettes direction. Hey, theres no need for aggression, Bette protested, collecting the white utensils off her desk and chair. Tina scowled in jest, Why do I even bother with you, ingrate. Having set all the food out on Bettes desk, Tina placed her hands on her hips and just looked at her for a few moments. What? Bette asked, looking around her chair to see if Tina was staring at something she couldnt see. Tina walked around to stand in front of Bette and bent over her chair. With one hand on the arm of the chair, she trailed the index finger of the other over the exposed skin of Bettes chest, thankful that Bette always left the top three buttons of her collar shirts unfettered. I was thinking about how exactly to reward you, she said in a low voice. Bettes mouth dropped open and she watched amazed as Tina sank to her knees without another word. She slid her hands over Bettes shirt, lingering for a few seconds over the hardening nipples, and then traveling down to temporarily rest in the juncture of hip and thigh.

Swiftly, she undid Bettes slacks and tugged them down over the hips, pushing them until they pooled around Bettes ankles. With the little lucidity she had left, Bette clutched her desk phone and gasped into the phone, Carla, Im having lunchNO interruptions! She hung up just in time to feel Tina pushing the gossamer fabric of her thong aside and gliding the tip of her tongue across her *****. Bette gave in completely: she leaned her head back, one arm dangling over the side of the chair, the other wrapped around Tinas head. With her eyes sealed shut, her mouth hung open, except when she would bite her lower lip to stifle a moan. Tina plunged her tongue deep into Bettes body, using her fingers to pinch her ***** in time, bringing Bette quickly to a powerful climax. With a casual air, Tina straightened out her back and reached for the box of Kleenex on the corner of the desk. She placed it on the chair in between Bettes splayed legs and stood up, I think youre gonna need those, sweetie.

Walking back around the desk, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and grabbed one of the cans of soda she had brought. Bette rolled her head to the side and watched in bewilderment as Tina walked to the door, Arent, she cleared her dry throat, arent you gonna ea Tina chuckled and turned around as Bettes voice trailed, I already didyou look like you need some sustenance, on the other hand. Bette smiled weakly, still unable to move from her vulnerable position. Tina turned back around and opened the door, but before closing it shut, she poked her head through the door and smiled broadly, By the waypoker night is still on for tonight!

***

Hey Bette! Liquor in the front, poker in the rear!

The gang joined Shane in whooping it up as Bette deposited her bags by the door and settled herself on the floor. She shot Tina another peculiar look, which Tina returned. Looking from one to the other, Alice picked up the deck and started shuffling, Excellent work, Tinayouve got her purring like a ***** cat. Bette swatted Alices shoulder with the back of her hand and a dangerously arched brow. Dana lifted her beer bottle and motioned for everyone else to do the same, I propose a toast!

Dana: To the best group of friends a ***** could ever have!

Alice: Oh, so you really are a ***** now?

Bette: She is out with us, and thats what really matters

Shane: Here, here!

Tina: To us, you guysto us

CLINK. CLINK. CLINK