“Honestly, Kelly”, Bette said,stepping back, “I don’t mean to be insensitive but I’d rather not know.”

“It was you Bette. There’s something between us___there has always been something between us__and not even seven years could kill it. I want it to have a chance.”

Bette’s mouth fell open,and she gaped at her, torn between ire at her outrageous outburst and mirth that she expected Bette to believe her. “Am I supposed to think__” Bette had to stop to swallow back an angry, hysterical laugh__ “that you’ve been carrying some sort of torch for me all these years?”

“Would you believe it if I said it’s true?”

“I’d have to be an idiot to believe it.” Bette had to admit that Kelly was a flamboyantly beautiful creature. All the details of her appearance that had escaped her before, Bette took account of now. Her eyes were a cool blue, but reflected no depth,no human warmth. -Kelly had a long beautifully shaped nose between two finely arched brows, and her mouth was wide and sensual. She was tall and thin,with a model’s figure. She was speaking in low cajoling tones. She was shallow and self absorb. Looking at her now, Bette wondered what she ever saw in her. She was selfish. Everything Tina’s not. No wonder they didn’t last.

“Dammit!” Bette swore,angrily shoving a hand through her hair. “I didn’t expect this. Not this” Bette walked away from her , then she turned on her heels. “I’ll admit you haunted me for years after we split up, I used to cry myself to sleep. Some days it was as if I didn’t want to get out of bed. I missed you terrible.__I loved you Kelly, and you broke my heart. Now you think that after seven years you can just walk back in my life and just drop a bombshell on me and think that we can pick up where we left off? Trust me Kelly___” Bette said, gesturing with her hand for emphasis, Had… is correct___,We have nothing between us. We have nothing in common…I’ve moved on, and I suggest you do the same.”

“You’re lying”, Kelly whispered. Her eyes wide with disbelief. “Don’t you find it odd that neither one of us bothered to be in a committed relationship?”

“No.” Bette answered.

“And the other night when you let me in?”

“Listen to me, Kelly” Bette raised her voice ,desperate to get through to her. “All I feel for you is a casual sort of friendship. ___ Believe me I have moved on…” Bette lowers her voice now and smiles, “I am in love, with a wonderful caring woman.” Bette’s voice became harsh once more. ___ “And no one’s going to get in the way of our happiness.”

Kelly watched in a stupor of shock and disbelief as Bette turned and headed into her room without another word. “It’s not over because you say it is Bette Porter.”

Bette takes out her cell and dials Shane number. She didn’t even wait for Shane to say anything after answering. “Shane, I need a huge favor. How do you feel about getting a room-mate?”

TBC