“I missed you guys so much, you are amazingly entertaining.”

“Well Tina thought so.” Alice was still pouting but there was a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

“Hmmm. Obviously. So tell me more about the straight girl. Any chemistry?” Bette didn’t know why she was so curious.

“Well it’s been a year and she still hasn’t slept with Shane… I know my gay-dar is non-existent but I’m pretty sure that means she’s straight.” Dana dead panned.

“Not for want of trying Shane?” Bette arched her eyebrow at her dark haired friend.

“I wish I could say I didn’t… but I did give it a go… nothing, zip, nada” Shane looked disappointed in herself.

“Not even a kiss?” Bette attempted to stifle her laugh at Shane’s obvious regret.

“Nope… didn’t even cop a feel.” Alice sniggered.

“She’s lives with her boyfriend. They’ve been together for like 4 years or something. They’re practically married. She’s known him since she was in diapers.” Dana interjected.

“Nice guy?” This time Bette raised both her eyebrows, unsure about the feeling of disappointment that was settling into the pit of her stomach.

“Guess so, we don’t really know, we’ve only met him a couple of times… anyway; tell us more about your trip!” Shane moved to change the subject, uncomfortable with the group’s tendency to gossip.

“No, plenty of time to fill you all in about me, I want to hear about you guys!”

Alice gladly took the lead in telling the stories of the past 18 months.

Wednesday night.
Tina drove Shane home after work, preferring to be able to walk into Bette Porter’s house with a friend than alone. They arrived at Shane’s just before 7 so didn’t even bother going in, instead walking straight to Bette’s house. Tina had picked up some nice wine on her lunch break, it wasn’t family night tradition, but she felt uncomfortable arriving empty handed at a house she had never been to before. She knew it was still family night for everyone else, and although she had been doing this with them every week for the last 11 months, it was the first time she felt like she did not belong.

Bette welcomed them in and thanked Tina for the wine, Alice and Dana were already there, sitting by the pool sipping on beers, Shane grabbed another from the fridge and joined them.

“This is a nice Merlot… care to join me for a glass?” Bette asked Tina.

“I’d love one” Tina smiled, noticing the half drunk bottle of beer than now sat lonely on the kitchen bench.

“Great, I’ll get this open – we’re doing BBQ tonight, so they’re all outside.”

“Thanks…” Tina turned and headed for the backdoor, pausing just inside to take in the view.

Bette’s backyard was filled with palm trees and tropical plants, a combination of bright and colourful and green and graceful. In amongst the plants were well placed, solar powered garden lights that turned on at sunset, filling the garden with a soft glow, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Natural stone pavers, raw wooden furniture and hand-woven cushions completed the area, making it comfortable and homely – the whole setting was tropical and sultry, almost making it feel like it was a holiday destination, a place to relax, unwind, be wild and carefree.

“It’s beautiful isn’t it?” Tina felt hot breath tickle her neck as Bette murmured into her ear, she felt the electricity of her skin as their arms brushed briefly when Bette reached around Tina to hand her a glass of wine, she felt the warmth emanating from her body as she stood millimetres behind her. She felt her stomach flip for the second time that day and wondered if it was coincidence that her heart was once again beating faster than usual.