'Tell me about yourself then.'

Serena made sure to drag out the story of Bernie's life, including her divorce and late in life sexual awakening. She had a remarkable gift for it. Hesitant at first, Bernie gave in and told her everything, growing more confident as the evening wore on and Serena listened intently. Serena was the kind of person she'd always wanted to get to know; her company gave her a reckless thrill, from the complimentary service she'd received as Serena's date to the secret shimmer of excitement she felt watching her weave her charm. There was something so decadent about her, a manner that Bernie had denied herself all her life. Being with her brought out Bernie's naughty side.

'I saw you and heard that ridiculous laugh and I thought that I must try and engage you in some way. You're just too wonderful to pass up. I enjoy Fleur's kind of company but she's not someone I can seriously pursue. We'd never last. We're too alike.'

'So that sneaky kiss after curfew meant nothing to you?' Bernie teased.

'Oh she told you about that did she? Well it was exceedingly fun but we both got our kicks with others in the end. My permanent choice backfired on me. The older I get, the less fun men get. I'm glad to have the option to fall back on my earlier sapphic days. I certainly feel younger and less irritable with women.'

'She had a huge crush on you.' Bernie's wine-soaked state was getting out of hand but she enjoyed being reckless. She hadn't been in such a long time.

'I didn't realise she still thought of me so fondly. But she's never done anything by half measures, always has to be more flamboyant than everyone else.'

'More than you?'

'Absolutely. She's blazed through life in a cloud of rainbow sparkles. She's made things happen, got what she wanted. Left us all in the dust.'

She wasn't wrong. But Serena didn't strike Bernie as someone who had to learn her confidence. She said as much. Serena laughed delightedly and confessed that she had to work at it sometimes. She'd never been shy but several knocks in her life had made her doubt herself and feel like she was never good enough.

'If you know what it feels like, it's always there. Always ready and waiting in a corner to lash out at you.'

'I know what you mean.'

Having broken through to peer under the surface, the atmosphere between them shifted to a more intimate pace. At the end of the night, Serena didn't hold back on telling Bernie how much she wanted to see her again.

Bernie stuttered adorkably in agreeing. She felt a strong hand clasp her shoulder as Serena kissed her goodnight. Very lingeringly. With tongues. Bernie thought she might faint.

'Well, I don't think that was on the school curriculum' she nervously joked when they surfaced for air.

'You are actually adorable. How about you escort me home?'

'So you can ask me in for coffee?' Countered Bernie. She was starting to figure out how this game worked.

'Bingo. You are a quick learner.' Bernie basked in Serena's appreciation.

They made it to Serena's house; they made it into the kitchen, they even made coffee but they never drank it because they were too busy ending their night up in the bedroom on Serena's luxurious double bed.

'That definitely wasn't on the school curriculum' panted Bernie, on a comedown for the third time that night.

Serena stuttered out a laugh and laced their fingers together. She'd never met anyone like Bernie and she was intending to keep her.

'You two. Couple goals' Fleur commented enviously when she managed to winkle out the events of that night from a blushing Bernie.

Whatever that was, Bernie liked the sound of it.