It was silent for a moment, Bette breathless and Tina waiting.

Had it really been so obvious? Bette had to wonder if Tina spoke the truth, and what that meant. She was surprised to hear that Tina hadn’t noticed the other women swarming around her, and it gave Bette a sort of giddy excitement. With a wide smile, she could only utter a single work in response. “Really?”

“You are so adorable,” Tina smiled, “Yes really. Of course. I was … sort of daydreaming about you. But not in a bad way! Oh god …”

Now it was Bette’s turn to laugh. “What were you thinking about?”

“This phone call is getting worse the longer is lasts,” Tina giggled, dropping her head in hilarious embarrassment. “I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s really quite entertaining,” Bette chuckled, running her hand through her thick, curly hair. “And it’s a welcomed break from work as well.”

“Well I actually have to get back right away myself, but I just wanted to … well … just say hi I guess.”

“Tina, you know you don’t need a reason to call me, right?” Bette smiled, forever joyful with the way Tina spoke to her. She could hear the affection in her voice. “I love to hear from you, and I would actually love to see you this weekend.”

“You know what? I hope I don’t sound crazy for saying this, but honestly? I’d rather see you sooner if it’s possible. I mean, we don’t have to wait so long …”

Bette was stunned with how boldly they had averted the awkward dating games she had been introduced to so long ago. She’d never liked the confusion of it all, and Tina’s confession gave her a grand sigh of relief. “Oh thank god!” They both laughed for a moment before Bette spoke again. “That is so refreshing to hear. Honestly. I really hate games and all of that, but I didn’t wanna sound desperate. Whew.”

“Mmm … well then this week it is.”

Bette cleared her throat, smiling. “I thought I asked you to stop that.”

“You think I’m gonna stop doing it when you flirt with me that way? Oh, count on more ridiculously inappropriate sound effects.”

It was difficult to imagine who she would find interest in, or who she had ever fantasized about before meeting with Tina – before getting to know her. The more Bette heard from her, and the more time she spent with Tina, the more she grew to love her. And while she told herself it was too soon to feel so strongly, she was swept up in a romantic bliss every time Tina said something cute, or anything at all. She didn’t know what she was liable to do once she met with her again, and given all of her excitement, thought it best to end their call after arranging for a date.