Bette broke away from the kiss, as she quickly said, “Mmm, wait here T.” leaving Tina in the bedroom before she even had time to react.

A few minutes later Bette led Tina into the dining area where she saw what Bette was fussing over for so long. In front of her was a lush spread of food, everything from appetizers to dessert was taken care of.

“Bette, you did all this?”

“Of course not T… I’m the take-out queen remember?” Bette flashed Tina a knowing smile and popped open a fresh bottle of champagne.

“Sit down with me babe.” Tina said sweetly.

“Wait, I just need to put in a few more finishing touches…” Bette said as she lit a couple of candles she strategically placed on the table, beautifully illuminating everything in its range including her face. Tina felt her heart melt as she saw Bette looking radiant in the subtle gleam of candlelight, watching her as she poured champagne into both of their glasses.

Tina closed her eyes as she heard Bette turn on the stereo, hearing the soft jazz music making it’s way into her ears, her guilt was eating her up. She was trying to find a way to tell Bette what she had been dying to tell her all day long, but she always found a way justify her chickening-out, ‘I can’t tell her in the middle of our romantic dinner’. Bette came back and sat down in front of her.

“So do you like it?” Bette asked, reaching for Tina’s hand.

Tina let Bette’s fingers intertwine with hers, saying in an almost hushed tone, “Baby, I love it…”

“Well I love you…” Bette said holding up a glass full of champagne.

“Cheers!” said Tina, clinking her champagne glass into Bette’s.
_______________________________________

Somewhere else in town Shane and Carmen were settling under a tree. Shane took out a blanket she found inside Alice’s trunk and masterfully laid it out across the grass for her and Carmen to sit on. They sat there enjoying dinner in the pale light of the moon as they feasted on Chinese food and each other’s company.

“Didn’t you have a different car yesterday?” Carmen pried.

“Yeah about that… my car sorta broke down this morning, so I borrowed this one.”

“Hmm…”

“What?”

“You liked me so much that you borrowed a car?”

Shane opened her mouth to answer, but the next thing she knew Carmen leaning into her giving her a kiss.

Shane pulled her closer, and Carmen maneuvered herself over Shane, straddling her. Shane immediately went to peel Carmen’s shirt off, revealing only a lacy black bra to cover her date’s ample assets. Shane took a moment to show appreciation for Carmen’s body, taking note of every curve that was accentuated by the pale moonlight. Shane ran the back of her hand across Carmen’s face, tracing the imaginary line that began from her cheeks, and ending at the side of Carmen’s arm, feeling her shiver with every touch. Shane gently kissed her lips, slowly making her way down onto Carmen’s neck. Carmen knew that she couldn’t stand the anticipation for very much longer. She feverishly worked on getting Shane’s blouse unbuttoned revealing another one of Shane’s trademark white sleeveless shirts, as both of them moved in an almost synchronized motion losing themselves in the heat of the moment. Carmen felt Shane’s hands graze along her back causing small gasps of pleasure to escape from her mouth, as Shane’s fingers deftly worked on unhooking her bra. But something inside Shane made her freeze, ‘What am I doing?’ she thought. She had to stop. Carmen looked at her expectantly; her eyes were begging Shane to continue.

“Carmen I really enjoyed tonight… but I” I can’t. It’s too soon.”

Carmen tried to regain her composure, feeling the potent mix rejection and confusion swirl all over her system.

“Just hand me my shirt Shane.” she said in a neutral voice, not wanting to seem more vulnerable than she already was.

Shane handed her the shirt, as Carmen slowly stood up and walked towards Alice’s car. Shane was hot on her heels.

“Look Carmen, I know you probably think I’m a whack job, but believe me there’s a reason for why I didn’t””

Carmen sharply turned to face Carmen, Let me guess your last relationship burned you?” she offered, her voice rising, anger visibly present in her tone.

Shane nodded simply and continued speaking in a barely audible manner, “She was a client of mine, and I really felt this incredible intensity when I was with her””

“What was the catch?”

“She was married…”

“*****!” Carmen said weakly, a little taken aback.

“Yeah that’s exactly what I thought when her husband found out…”

Carmen gave Shane look of curiosity, which, later turned into one of compassion. “Shane…I’m sorry… I never thought””

“Hey it’s okay… I’m sorry too…I just” I just wanted tonight to be perfect and it completely blew up in my face…” Shane looked down onto her feet and then back to Carmen, “I mean I can’t believe I’m laying all this out on you, it’s just that I haven’t told anyone… not even my friends.” Shane replied, not sure what just happened.

“Why not?”

“Because they all have problems much worse than mine right now.” Shane grinned, “Anyway can I take you home?”

Carmen shot her a look of surprise, I mean can I give you a ride home?” Shane rephrased giving off a nervous laugh. She opened the door for Carmen.

“Sure,” Carmen said, “And Shane…”

Shane turned around and looked at Carmen intently.

“Tonight was perfect.” Carmen finished, giving Shane a kiss on the cheek before she got in the car.
_______________________________________

Dana sat in her empty hotel room, thinking of how great a metaphor it would make for how she was feeling at that very moment.
Her mind was blank, and she had no idea what to do and/or say when she faced the press tomorrow morning. Tonya had called her a couple of times, checking to see if she made the trip all right.

“So how do you find the room?” she heard Tonya ask on the other line.

Dana took a moment and looked around, “Well…” Dana paused, “It’s so… YELLOW!”

“Well it was either that or purple Dana.” Tonya interjected.

“Well it’s still beautiful.” Dana said, trying to make amends for her last comment.

“So did you have dinner already?”

“Yes.” Dana lied.

Then before she knew it, she and Tonya were saying their goodbyes. Dana heard her empty stomach rumble, ‘I guess I really do need to have some dinner after all.’ She picked up the phone and decided to call room service. A few minutes later Dana collapsed onto the flashy yellow mattress, eager to get some shut eye, but before she could fall into a deep sleep she heard a faint knocking on the door. ‘Ah, the food is here.’ she thought, getting up from the bed and walking towards the room’s entrance.

“Thank you so much…” Dana said, fishing out some cash from her wallet, not really paying attention to who was standing before of her.

“Thanks, but I really don’t need the money Dane!”

Dana’s jaw dropped as she saw Alice standing outside her hotel room, with a couple of suitcases in hand, and wearing a hint of a smile across her face.