Bette and Jodi had had a wonderful five-year relationship, but when it started to be clear that Bette wasn’t going to give up Art or New York, Jodi realized she needed to put the cards on the table, no matter how much it hurt her.  Bette understood, and the reality was she didn’t want the same things as Jodi.  She didn’t want to live around the world for years at a time.  She didn’t want to make “just enough,” to travel from country to country.  She wanted a sturdy life in New York.  She wanted a place she knew she could call home, no matter what time of year it was.  She wanted to eventually have a family and move into a New York suburb and live life comfortably and peacefully.  It had been a long time coming, but once it had arrived, there was no going back.  As hurtful as it was for the two of them, it began a beautiful friendship between them.  One that they would not have traded for anything else.

Tina had known about the breakup, since Jodi was working with her until her final days in America.  To-date, Jodi had traveled to four different countries and had been a crewmember on several movies, always with Tina’s reference at hand.

“Don’t even sweat it.  I can relate to the over-achieving mentality that often takes control,” Tina said.

“Well listen, I have to run to a 10am meeting, but how about you let me make up for being such a bore in the past and let’s go grab a drink tonight,” Bette asked.

“Um, yea sure.  I probably won’t be out until 9ish, if that’s ok?” Tina responded. 

“Absolutely! But let’s get this straight, this isn’t a date or anything.  I know you’ve always had a thing for me,” Bette poked fun at Tina.

The truth was, Bette had always thought Tina was incredibly attractive, and Tina knew it.  Jodi would often tell Tina how Bette had a “crush” on her.   In everyone’s mind, it was all right because Tina was straight, so it was more of a boost of self-esteem than anything. 

Tina laughed, “Right, you nailed me.  You’ll probably slip something into my drink tonight if I don’t keep an eye on you.”

“You’d be so lucky,” Bette said as she gave her a mischievous eye.  Bette knew Tina had never been with a woman, or at least she thought she knew.  Regardless of that fact, Tina was straight, and though that had been made clear, Bette had always felt as though there was something different about the way she and Tina would interact.  Even when Jodi was around, there was something about Tina’s interaction with Bette that made her suspicious about Tina.  Bette knew she could be a little cocky, and would often go after straight girls just to prove she had been right all along, but the thing that kept her doing so was, she would be right, all along.

“Alright, here’s my card.  Let me know later if you’re still up for it,” Tina surrendered. 

“Great.  All jokes aside, it was really great seeing you this morning.  I’ll be in touch later this afternoon to see where we can meet up.  Nothing too crazy, “ Bette finished.

“Sounds like a plan,” Tina agreed.

Bette left feeling content with the friend she had just been re-united with, as well as interested in where the evening could lead, though not expecting anything, since after all, Tina was straight.  She remembered some emails once exchanged with Tina in the past as she planned a surprise birthday party for Jodi.  Tina’s responses had seemed as an invitation to flirt, and subtly, Bette had accepted.  Even on one occasion when Alice, Bette’s best friend, had read them, she remarked, “Um, this is like soft-core cyber right here.”  It wasn’t, but Alice knew Bette’s suspicion, and her record when it came to straight women.  Bette laughed and decided to dismiss the thought.  She was just looking forward to getting to know Tina as a friend this time around, without a third party involved.