“You should come out with us one night,” Shane said evenly.

“Yeah, it’s been ages,” Alice added. “I need to do research for my show.”

“For your show? Do I even want to know the topic?”

“Fine. Come out with your friends,” Alice emphasized on the last part.

“The Planet’s having a ladies’ night on Tuesday,” Kit joined in. “I know you have a short day Tuesday, why don’t you come in for a drink?”

“I can watch Angelica for you,” Angus hopped onto the train of thought.

“All right, I’ll check my schedule,” Bette shook her head in defeat. “No promises.”

By the time all of them had gone home, Bette felt composed enough to venture down the road that is her relationship with Tina. She stepped into Angelica’s room quietly, checking on her daughter before heading for her own bedroom.

It was still early, but she couldn’t force her friends to adhere to the schedule she had adopted with Angelica. Try as she might, she could not stop thinking about Alice’s earlier question.

Did she really want to be with Tina again? A part of her screamed yes, but a part of her chose otherwise. Bette touched her left cheek absentmindedly. She still could feel the sting of the slap from moons ago.

The black hole that is her relationship with Tina consumed her, robbing her of sleep and overtaking her dreams. It always began differently, but the end always was the same. Tina would leave her, and she would be left alone without ever seeing her daughter again.

As the sun rose and Angelica’s cries made her fussiness known, Bette went through the motions on autopilot. They enjoyed a quiet breakfast, the little girl sensing her Mama B’s need to be close to her.

With breakfast tucked away, both mother and daughter spent the morning dancing the day away. A knock on the door startled them, and a diaper-clad tush landed on the floor with a thud.

“Come here, babycakes,” Bette laughed when Angelica raised her hands toward her.

“Up!” the little girl reveled in her mother’s reaction.

“Aren’t we demanding today,” the brunette picked up her daughter with ease, blowing bubbles as she lifted her. “Let’s go see who’s at the door.”

The figure at the door was the last person she would expect to see. Bette gripped the doorknob tight, fighting to control her emotions.

“Hi.”

“What are you doing here?” Bette kept her voice neutral.

“I… can I come in?”

Bette sighed, moving aside to let the woman through. “Of course.”

She leaned in to kiss Angelica’s cheek, realizing immediately how tensed Bette was. A little hurt by the brunette’s reaction, Tina tried not to let her disappointment show.

“Do you want something to drink?” Bette stood at the door, unmoving.

“Uh, water. Thanks,” Tina met Bette’s eyes. “Why don’t I get it myself? Your hands are full.”

The brunette was strangely bothered by Tina’s remark. “No, it’s OK. Why don’t you take Angelica instead?”

As soon as Tina had a firm hold of the little girl, Bette bolted for the safety confines of the kitchen. She gripped the countertop for leverage, the beginnings of a headache forming rapidly.

Playing peek-a-boo with Angelica, Tina silently wondered when Bette would return. The shock at seeing her must be overwhelming, but she knew she must charge on. She contemplated going after Bette, but the woman’s return squelched the thought.

“Here,” Bette handed her the glass, choosing the seat furthest away from Tina.

The silence was awkward; Tina knew Bette was waiting for her to speak. “You must be wondering why I’m here.”

“That crossed my mind, yes,” Bette said calmly.

She took a deep breath. Here goes nothing.