Slowly, Dana peeled her stare from her mug, and turned around. When her eyes met with Alices she felt her heart involuntarily flutter, the way it had last night when Alice had kissed her, and vice versa. “Hey” she responded, her voice squeaking slightly. An extended silence ensued. “Want to sit down?” Dana finally ventured.

“Ummm sure thanks.” Alice slid into the chair across from Dana and folded her hands on the table. More silence. The same thoughts were simultaneously running through both of their heads. “Come on, say something! This is your friend, not some stranger! TALK TO HER!!! Alice decided that she wouldnt touch on the topic of last nights encounter quite yet. As she racked her brain for small talk topics, she could think of only one to discuss.

“Tina came over my place last night. I didnt get the whole story, but it looks like her and Bettes relationship has hit a bit of a rough patch.” Alice said. She felt sort of bad being so gossipy, but it was the only topic she could think of.

Dana felt a flood of relief at this choice of conversation, despite its obvious negativity. At least she would be able to contribute. “Yea, I actually went over to their house this morning, hoping to ummmtalk with them. Bettes in pretty bad shape too. Ive never her seen her break down the way she did.” Dana sighed as she remembered Bettes uncontrollable tears. It saddened her greatly to think that her and Tinas relationship might be over. At the same moment, she looked up, finding her eyes locked with Alices once again. For a few moments, neither woman spoke. The undeniable connection they had both felt the previous night was beginning to resurface.

It was at this moment that Alice decided to bring up the inevitable. Its gonna happen sooner or later. She thought to herself. She took a deep breath, and braced herself for whatever Dana might have to say.

“Yea well, I guess theres not much we can do for them right now. Just give it some time I guess.” Dana nodded. Alice nervously scratched her forehead. “Hey, Dana Im sorry if I put you in a weird position last night. I mean, granted, I can be crazy at times, but I think I may have gone” Alices sentence was cut short.

“Al it wasnt crazy” was all Dana said, casting her eyes back down into her coffee mug. A slight smile tugged at the corner of Alices mouth at the sincerity in Danas voice. “In factit was the most real thing thats happened to me in well I dont know how long.” Dana shocked herself with her honesty. Suddenly her mind flashed back to Tonya storming out of the house, telling her that maybe she had never loved her. She felt her face and heart drop a little.

Alice noticed her reaction, and guessed at what had caused it. “Did Tonya.”

“Yea she saw.” Dana paused. “She left last night. I dont know where she went.”

“Oh God, Dana, Im so sorry. It wasnt supposed to happen like this, I swear. I dont know what came over me last night, but I just couldnt let you go off and, you know, marry her, without doing anything I guess. I didnt mean to sabotage your relationship.” Alice suddenly felt guilty for her selfishness, and how she had acted without really thinking about how this would effect Dana.

“Dont be sorry Alice, to tell you the truth, Im actually a little relieved.” Alice looked at her quizzically. “Tonya said some really nasty stuff last night. Im starting to think she wasnt quite the person I though she was.”

“Oh my God Dana! You finally see it! Im telling you Dane, she was no good for you, youre amazing, and she didnt treat you right, you deserve” Alice could have continued, but stopped herself before she went too far. Still, she couldnt mask her grin, and the relief she felt flood over her at Danas words. Dana laughed quietly when she saw Alices ecstatic face. Alice continued to smile back at her. Slowly, Dana reached across the table and took one of Alices hands in her own. She smiled inwardly at the electricity that flowed between their simple contact. Both women stared at their interlocked fingers as Danas thumb grazed over Alices.

“Dana, if this is too soon for you, or too weird, please dont play along just for me.” Alice finally said quietly.

“Alice, Im not playing along.”