I folded my arms as I tried to read his thoughts. “No, I think it is. You seem to be annoyed, a bit out of your element at the moment.”

“I’m fine. I really should get going. Perhaps you should close your office door when you go back.”

It was the last sentence that revealed his discontent. It was about Fran. I just knew it. It was beyond just “sensing” something. It surfaced right there.

“What’s wrong with Fran?” I asked.

“Nothing. Like I said, not my business.”

“I think it is…..to a degree.”

“Do you think it’s right that she just come into your office and spread things out for some romantic lunch like that?”

I was shocked at James’ stark attitude surrounding Fran’s change in our lunch plans.

“I didn’t feel it was inappropriate if that is what you are saying.”

James struggled with his opinion. He adored Bette, and he had adored Tina. What he loved the most, was Bette AND Tina. He was always quiet about how he felt in terms of adapting to not seeing Tina’s weekly visits to the CAC, hearing her unique and childlike laugh that often filtered from Bette’s office to where he sat. The jokes that they would both share before she headed out. James was biased, more than he would care to admit. He hadn’t encouraged Bette to go out too much, and certainly seemed to refrain from pushing her towards more dates. In his heart, he knew Bette was a young woman deserving of love again. Yet, there was an incredible allegiance to Tina’s memory.

“Bette, it’s not my business.” James pushed the glass doors open, placed the sunglasses on his face, and walked towards the parking lot. I remained fixated on him as a small wave of guilt began to seep into my heart. For a moment, I felt paralyzed in that one spot. It was the first time I had actually experienced even so much as a hint of discontent in my beginning to move forward with my life. I was still so very vulnerable, and I knew that it wasn’t so far into this relationship that I couldn’t retreat. What I needed right now, was the love and support of those who would help me continue to take the steps forward. I held my muscles so tight within my folded arms as I struggled with what I was beginning to feel. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in to try to calm myself, at the very same time feeling a warm hand touch my shoulder.

“Babe? What’s wrong?”

I cleared my throat and did my best to regain an expression that wouldn’t cause Fran any alarm. “I’m fine,” I smiled. “…..are you hungry?”

Fran sensed there was something wrong, but she felt it might be best if they could at least sit in Bette’s office, where they could be next to the open windows which allowed some warm sunlight in, and which had the potential to create an equally warm atmosphere.

“Yes, I’m hungry. Why don’t we have lunch. I made us some turkey wraps with a little mustard, cheese, tomato and lettuce.”

“It sounds lovely.”

Fran and I returned to my office, where I immediately found the scene before us rather engaging and inviting. The visual before me, was different than the emotional one that had just been created in my head from the conversation with James.

Fran sat down on the blanket and removed her sandals. I joined her by removing my heels and placing them neatly, side by side. This caused Fran to laugh.

“What?”

“You’re too cute.”

I smiled at the innocent and light air about Fran. “Okay, but what do you mean?”

“I notice things about you. You like structure and order.”

I couldn’t help but glance at my shoes, and how I had placed them so they were equally lined up. It was habit, and something that came so natural to me, that I hadn’t given my actions much thought. I could see however, to someone else how it could look a bit anal.

“Ah….well I guess I’m fortunate that you didn’t use the word ‘anal’ to describe my habits.”

Fran handed me a turkey wrap. “Never sweetheart. I think it’s those small intricacies that I like about your personality….and other things.”

“Thanks so much for being with me last night. I know it wasn’t easy for you.” I bit into the sandwich and offered my opinion on how good her masterpiece was.

“It was a privilege to share last night with you both Bette. You allowed me into an area which is quite vulnerable for you, and for Angie.”

“I just hope this afternoon’s session goes well.”

“I’m sure it will. I don’t think you have a thing to worry about baby,” Fran said, leaning forward towards me. I felt her thumb, graze the corner of my mouth. “Um…..mustard,” she said before taking the same thumb and placing it inside her mouth, cleaning it from her own finger.

I felt my heart race. I couldn’t overlook the extreme feelings that had been slowly building, not only since I have known Fran, but especially since we had come so close to being intimate. I had urges and desires that I was finding nearly impossible to contain. It was in the smallest touches, or a particular look, that I found myself wanting, needing, requiring.

My eyes studied her face, every curve, every feature as I felt myself effortlessly leaning in towards her. She was evenly absorbed in my studying her. Without consciously doing so, I felt my mouth drop open ever so slightly, matching what was now her own reaction to my approach. The glazed look in her eyes was the last thing I saw before my lips merged with hers. My eyes closed as I invited her tongue into my mouth. She swept it ever so lightly across the roof of my mouth, before delving into a light tussle with my own tongue. I felt one of her hands slide to the side of my neck, then behind it as she pulled me towards her more, encouraging a deeper relationship with the two wet muscles that seemed more than happy to reacquaint themselves with the other.