Bette, checking the time for the third time in the last couple of minutes stopped her pace. She looked around, checking one more time that everything was in its place, that her clothes were fine, that her hair was ok. God am pathetic! she cried to herself again, something that was becoming her mantra. Sighing, she walked to the pool. Not knowing what to do till Tinas arrival she lay on her new chase lounge, letting the sun calm her nerves.

Tina finally pulled the car on the drive way, checking the number of the house, happy to find out that as she hoped, it was the right house. She took her bag and climbed out of the car. Jumping the stairs she again wondered about the meeting, not sure about anything any more. She rang the bell and waited for a few minutes, hearing a soft jazz music on the back. As no one answered, she looked around wondering about what to do when she noticed a tiny hidden path at the right end of the entrance. Following the path she arrived at the end of what it looked like a garden by the pool.

Bette? she called, looking around.

Turning around a tall tree she saw the big pool and at the other end, laying on the chase lounge, Tina saw a peacefully sleeping Bette. Unaware of the smile that was growing on her face, Tina shyly tiptoed to Bettes side.

Watching Bette sleep Tina wondered what to do. Moving closer, she knelt at her side and after a few seconds looking at her, she sweetly whispered,

Bette?… Bette?

Mmm mumbled Bette, still half asleep.

Bette Tina tenderly whispered again.

Eh? Bette asked, her eyes slowly opening, feeling the bright sun hitting on her.

Oh *****! Bette shouted, sitting still, noticing Tina kneeling at her side.

Ive must fall asleepam sorry, didnt get much sleep last night Bette said standing up, straightening her clothes.

Its okI love falling asleep under the sun too Tina nodded, smiling, noticing Bettes curly messed hair falling on her face.

Yeah, so did you find the house easily? asked Bette leading Tina inside, trying to change the topic, tidying her hair.

Yeah, it was fine Tina said, noticing the paintings on the walls, recognizing Bettes perfume I the air.

You want something to drink? asked Bette, trying to act as cool as possible.

Sure, whatever youre having is fine

Ok make yourself comfortable Bette added, opening the fridge, deciding what to get.

Thanks Tina whispered, snooping around, noticing the neatness of the house .It was, as Tina expected from the way Bettes office looked, very elegant and chic but Tina happily noticed too, not as cold and soulless as her work place.,

Here Bette said, handing Tina a cup of coffee.

Thanks said Tina, watching a framed pictured of Alice, Dana and Bette in what it looked like San Francisco.

Bette, noticing what Tina was looking at, asked,

How you met Dana?

Oh, thatwhen I started with photography, twelve years ago or so I worked on the women tourmostly taking pictures of American tennis playersI met Dana there and after a couple of assignments we became friends Tina answered, sitting on the couch.

I guess youve known her for longer, then added Bette thinking for a while, briefly looking at the picture.

Yeah, maybebut we havent seen each other that much this past years nodded Tina, relaxing, leaning on the sofa.

Right, she said you have been abroad Bette said, nonchalantly placing the legs on the coffee table.

Yes, Ive been working in Europe mostlyin Japan too but never lived there

Where did you live? Asked Bette, loving how relax Tina looked.

Mostly in Italy but I travel a lot shyly said Tina, hating being the topic.

Doing what? inquired Bette, anxious to know more about Tina.

How you met Dana? asked Tina then.

Shane and Alice met her seven years ago Bette answered, noticing Tinas subtly changed of topic.

Shane?…slim brunette Shane?.. asked Tina, sitting still, leaning forward, truly curious.

Yeah, the one and onlyan unusual name I knowshe is a close friend too smiled Bette, remembering Shanes comment about meeting Tina.

Wow, in three days Ive enter your six degrees of separation parallel universe Said Tina astonished, leaning backwards on the sofa again.

Yeah, seems so chuckled Bette, feeling her knees melt by Tinas cute frowning.

Silence filled the room for a couple of minutes till Tina said,

Hope you dont mind me saying, I dont want to presume or anything but I guess youyou unable to voice her thoughts Tina felt how she was fully blushing.

Yesam a ***** too Bette said, broadly smiling, amused by Tinas blushing.

Oh oksorryis not of my business I just didnt want to presume.. Tina added, trying to find the easiest way to move on.

Is ok Tina, and since you have met her too you should know Alice is too Bette added, hoping to shock Tina, enjoying her uneasiness.

She is? Tina asked, remembering Alice staring at Marco.

Yeswellbeing precise she is bisexual added Bette.

Right…ok nodded Tina, looking at the garden.

What about you? asked Bette, back in control, cutting to the point.

Excuse me? shyly asked Tina, blushing again.

Youyou withwhat was his name?… Marco? Bette asked, dying to know the answer.

Marco?…no, nohe is just a friendmy best friend cleared Tina, standing up, surprising Bette.

You know, you have a beautiful pool out there Tina said, feeling stupid, suddenly needing fresh air.

Yes, thank youyou want to go outside? asked Bette, noticing the awkwardness on Tinas face.

Yes, thatd be great quickly answered Tina, walking towards the pool.

Following Tina outside Bette noticed her beautiful back again. Tina was wearing an old plain grey green t-shirt with and old pair of jeans, and again, her curly hair was lazily tied up, making very difficult for Bette no to stretch her arm and caress it. Softly as it looked like.