The brunette smiled and stepped forward to open the door for her date. Tina kept hold of Bette’s hand and arm and as the brunette stood from opening the door the blonde tug her arm.  Bette looked at the cellist who was biting her lower lip with a twinkle in her hazel eyes.  “What is it?” asked smiling at the blonde.

Tina released her lip, freeing a full smile.  “Can we ride with the top down?” 

Bette laughed with delight.  Right then and there she justified the cost of her luxury SAAB.  “Certainly we can…” capturing Tina’s hand with both of hers, “If you don’t mind, we’ll wait until we’re out of the city?... I believe you’ll enjoy it more on the coastal road.” gazing adoringly into the blonde’s eyes. 

Bette reached quickly for the car door and resumed the task of guiding Tina to her seat.  Once the blonde cellist was secure inside and she closed the door, the brunette walked slowly, taking several deep breaths, exhaling evenly, in an attempt to steady the sensual feeling caused by holding the virtuoso’s hand and receiving her full smile.

Rounding the car to the driver’s side where the valet held her door, Bette readied the tip and noted the young man’s nametag.  “Thank you Marshall.” Handing him the cash with a smile, “Have a good evening.” 

Easing into the driver’s seat, Bette was met with a smile that defeated the brunette’s efforts to calm her heart.  “I’m sooo excited…” Tina said causing the brunette to lose her grip on the seatbelt she was attempting to fasten.  Bette swallowed involuntarily and fumbled to retrieve the seatbelt that had coiled back to its start point.  She smiled at Tina and quickly diverted her eyes trying desperately to gain control of herself to accomplish the otherwise simple task of securing her safety belt.

“There’s nothing more spectacular than the sunset over the Pacific.”  Tina said while Bette was angled and focused on the fastener for her seatbelt that she had finally brought around her body.  “Don’t you agree?”  The blonde asked with a light touch of a hand on the brunette’s thigh.

The seatbelt hummed as it recoiled back across gallery owner’s torso and a loud pop punctuated its return to the other side.  Bette let out an audible sigh and her mocha features changed with a subtle flush as, for the third time, she pulled the seatbelt across in front of her. 

Tina smiled softly.  “Here…” said with a gentle voice and taking the task from the hand of Bette.  “There you go.” clipping the seatbelt securely in its fastener. 

“Thank you.”  Bette managed to say in a quiet, embarrassed tone exchanging smiles with the blonde.

Facing forward, Bette calmed herself enough to engage the motions of driving the car.  Approaching the end of the block from the hotel, the brunette felt her confidence return and she glanced over at her blonde date breaking the silence with a warm smile.  “Sunset will be around eight…” she began, “…unless you’re hungry now; I thought we’d eat afterwards.” 

Tina traced the edge of the convertible top sealed against her window with her index finger studying the interior of the brunette’s car, she hadn’t been in very many personal automobiles; taxis, town cars, and limos where her usually modes.  “That’s fine… I’m not particularly hungry right now.”  She said bringing her hand to the soft leather door panel and over the ledge framing the window.  She turned her attention to the gallery owner and watched Bette’s profile expressions as she drove. 

“Have you always lived in LA?”  Tina asked as she adjusted her position to look more comfortably at the gallery owner.

Bette smiled softly and glanced over at Tina for moment then faced forward as she spoke.  “No, I moved here five years ago after collage… I was born and raised in Philadelphia.”