Tina snuck up behind Liz on the dance floor and tapped her on the shoulder. Liz turned around to see Tina standing there, hands on her hips.

Can I help you with something?

Yeah, you can help me figure out what in the ***** is your problem.

I dont have a problem. Liz turned back around and continued dancing. Liz knew that once Tina was upset about something, she was audacious about confronting it.

Grabbing her shoulder, Tina spun Liz back around. Would you please at least talk to me? What do I need to do to fix… this. She waved her hands in the air.

How about not being *****.

How dare you ask me to change who I am. Do I even know who you are anymore?

I could ask you the same question. Liz stood there not breaking the stare between her and Tina with women dancing all around them. Despite Tinas confrontational attitude, her heart was breaking with each hurtful word Liz uttered.

Across the bar, Bette feigned interest in the conversation at the table as she watched Tina and Liz on the dance floor. She was worried but wanted to give Tina her space to deal with this on her own. Studying Tinas movements and gestures, Bette saw that she was upset and Bette had never seen Tina so… aggressive and take charge. Strangely, Bette found herself even more attracted to Tina seeing this side of her.

So Bette… what made you pursue Tina when it seemed she was straight, dating Eric? Adison sat back down at the table placing yet another drink down in front of everyone. Bette looked around the circle of women and realized all eyes were on her.

Well, I cant help but say that I was instantly attracted to her.

I think we all can say shes a looker. Adison laughed. There must have been something else, though right? I mean, there are plenty of gorgeous straight women out there but you dont run around kissing them… I hope.

Bette chuckled then paused for a moment trying to figure out how to explain what exactly it was that led her to Tina. Reflecting on the first few times she encountered Tina, Bettes face softened. She knew from the first time she interacted with Tina that there was something more to her actions. There was a curiosity in Tinas eyes and a longing that yearned to be fulfilled. Bette identified with that look because she saw it inside of herself many years ago.

Um… those of you who have been through coming out know youre straight until youre ***** and those of you who arent lesbians, bear with me and try to keep an open mind with what Im explaining. She looked at Tesa and Mandy.

Hold on a minute… I dont think I agree with you about being straight until youre *****. Alice said.

Ok, maybe I take that back. Sexuality isnt so black and white so its not fair to say Tina was straight until she came out. Lets just leave it at Tina had previously been with men before she discovered her attraction to women. Bette raised her eyebrows to Alice, Dana and Adison. They nodded in agreement and encouraged her to continue.



Im the same person Ive always been, Liz. Just now Im being more honest with myself and my friends than Ive ever been.

Liz scoffed.

Why did you come here tonight, Liz?

To see Adison.

Tina pulled Liz off the dance floor to a corner of the bar where they could talk without being trampled.

You couldve hung out with her any time while shes out here. Why tonight?

Liz grimaced. Ok, you want honesty? Tina nodded. I was curious. I didnt know what it would be like to see you with a woman.

And? Have I grown fangs or turned purple?

No.

What did you expect, Liz?

I dont know… weve been friends for so long and it hurt that you told Mandy about all this and not me or Tesa.

Listen, Liz. Mandy practically called me out on it. I didnt even have to really tell her.

I know that now. I guess I was mad at Bette, too. Tina raised her eyebrows in question. Liz continued. I thought she preyed on you after you broke up with Eric and took advantage of you when you were upset. I thought you ran to her just because you were lonely.

What do you think now?

I see now that she really cares for you and you seem to really like her. Lizs confession brought tears to Tinas eyes. She cared so deeply for the woman in front of her and she had a sudden nostalgia come over her, briefly wishing things could be the way there were years ago when they were all in college. Tina saw that same wave roll through Lizs eyes and hugged her, never wanting to let go, hoping her friend could still see her as the same person she always had been.

Where do we go from here?

First we dance then we go back to the table and drink with friends… a table full of them, new and old.

Smiling, Tina grabbed Lizs hand and directed her to the dance floor. Thank you. I hope some things never change… like our friendship. Tina moved in and said in Lizs ear.


At the table, Bette rambled about her and Tina, answering all the womens questions.

… so sometimes I can read people well. When I first met Tina, I saw the look.

What look? Tesa asked confused.

Well, Tesa, among the ***** community theres something we refer to as gaydar. Adison scrunched up her face in response to Lizs look of confusion. Ok, we can tell when other people are family or like us because of a look or a feeling or-

Alice interrupted her. Or instinct.

Tesa started to slowly nod her head as she began to understand.

Right, so my gaydar picked up on Tina but I thought maybe I was losing my touch because she seemed obviously straight to anybody on the street. But I knew there was an instant connection between us. I couldnt let go of that and I pursued her as a friend at first.

Mandy chuckled and said, Yeah you did, but funny thing is…. is that Tina had it for you bad the first night you met, she just didnt realize it until later. Trust me… all your attempts at friendship scared the ***** out of Tina and annoyed the ***** out of her because she liked you so much.

Bette smiled and said, I know. I knew it all along but I had to let Tina set the pace. One of the worst things to do is to force yourself on someone. That couldve scared her so much that she couldve run right back to Eric out of some stability and confidence in who she thought she should be.

You must really have liked her to be so patient even when she couldve just run away anyway. Dana said.

I knew I had to wait… shes amazing and worth any wait.

Well, lets raise our glasses in a toast… to waiting for true love! Adison stood up and held out her glass.

And to Bette and Tina! Tesa joined her, grinning.

They all stood in unison and clinked glasses, drinking to new understandings and a bright future full of hope.

Sitting back down, Bette glanced over to the dance floor and saw Liz and Tina laughing and dancing. Tina seemed happy and Bette watched how her body moved so gracefully as if she were calling Bette to devour her right then and there. Shaking her head, Bette tried to calm herself. This night was not about her and Tina but about friendships. But she couldnt help letting her mind wander just a little bit as her eyes looked Tina up and down as her hips swayed and her legs swiftly moved across the floor. Bette wished she could make those legs turn to jello…

Maybe you should interrupt them. Alice nodded in Tinas direction.

Yeah, looks like theyre done talking… and happy. Tesa said.

Bette stood up and shrugged.

Ill join you. Alice stood as well.

Me too. Adison followed them.

Arent you going to go? Mandy asked Dana.

Lets just say Im not that great of a dancer. Id need a lot more alcohol in my body before I make an ***** out of myself.



Tina felt someone behind her wrap their arms around her waist and nuzzle their face into her neck. Chills crawled up her spine and Bette felt goosebumps on Tinas skin.

Can I cut in? Bette asked Liz.

Of course… shes all yours. Smiling, Liz joined Mandy and the gang at the table.

Mmm… I cant wait until youre all mine. Bette whispered in Tinas ear, flicking it with her tongue.

You keep this up Bette and Ill be ripping your clothes off in the bathroom. And thats not very romantic, is it? Tina raised an eyebrow.

Romantic… no. Passionate… yes. But I know… tonight were hanging out with friends not playing tag.

Tina laughed and pulled Bette closer inhaling her scent. She wanted to always remember this moment when the world seemed to be a descent and good place to live.

Oh, Tina when can you come out to play? Bette whispered in her ear again causing Tina to go weak in the knees.

You heard Liz, Im all yours. Tina traced Bettes lips with her finger before crushing her lips with her own.