Lunch arrived right on cue, saving Tash from further questions, for now. The women chatted over lunch about what a great time they’re having so far, a little about themselves by way of introduction to Tash, and about their plans for the week. When they’d finished their meals, they talked about what to do for the rest of the day. Tash knew this moment had to end sooner or later, and she’d had such a good time, she wanted to do it again. But how to ask, without intruding on such a close knit group. “Well I guess I’d better head off” Tash began, “Shane, if you want any more tuition, let me know okay? Here’s my card, my cell is on the back”. Shane took the card and was a little disappointed that Tash was leaving after she thought they’d gotten on really well. “At least she gave me her number though, that’s a good start” Shane reasoned with herself silently.

“Ladies … it was an absolute pleasure meeting you all. I hope you enjoy the rest of your vacation” Tash continued, shaking everyone’s hand and giving them a genuine smile. Bette glanced over at Shane and could tell by the look in her eye that she was coming down from the high that she’d experienced ever since meeting Tash. “Hey Tash, why don’t you come by our cabin sometime for dinner, we’d love to have you” Bette extended the invitation, sure that Shane would most definitely “love to HAVE you”. “Okay, sure that’d be fun. Shane has my number, give me a call, bye gals” Tash grinned as she walked away, swaying her hips a little as she knew that Shane would be watching.

Shane was indeed watching, and as she did so, she leaned her head on Tina’s shoulder and groaned a little, causing the others to giggle at this rare display by Shane. Tina gave Shane a playful pat on her knee “I know hun … I’ve been there” she admitted, giving Bette a knowing glance. “She’s sooo nice Shane, and she seems to be into you” Bette commented. “Then why did she up and go … and why am I being so passive and stupid?” Shane tortured herself with these questions. “Shane, maybe she didn’t wanna intrude ya know. She’s staff here, she probably felt like it wasn’t her place to be socialising or something” Dana reasoned, making a lot of sense. “I didn’t have a problem with it …” Shane questioned, “did any of you?” she looked around at her friends for a response.

“Shane, honey, she was wonderful, right guys?” Alice confirmed, the others nodding in agreeance, “but Dana’s right, maybe she felt uncomfortable butting in on us, I mean this is our vacation, and she is part of the staff here”. “Well then, we have to let her know that she can hang with us” Shane suggested, almost begging for the help. “I think that’s up to you hun, you need to show her you’re interested in her” Tina advised her. “God, why am I suddenly such a bumbling passive idiot? This is sooooo not my style” Shane looked down at her feet, running her fingers through her hair. “Then why are you doing it this way?” Dana questioned, “why isn’t she a notch on your bedpost already?”. Something about Dana’s phrasing took Shane by surprise. “Is that all you think of me? Is that what I am to all of you?” Shane asked defensively. Was she really that much of an uncaring, unfeeling player to her so called friends?

“No, God I’m sorry Shane” Dana immediately apologised, “it’s just … we’re not used to seeing this side of you, you’re usually so confident and forward with women. The irresistable Shane McCutcheon, charming, seductive, brooding and mysterious. And well, now you’re like one of us!” Dana giggled. “But Shane, we love you, you know that, and we know that you went through a rough time with Cherie …” Alice comforted her. “But that’s just it Al … after Cherie I went right back to my old bed-hopping ways” Shane began, “ya know what, it just hasn’t been the same, I don’t know why, and I sure as ***** haven’t the foggiest clue why I’m feeling like this goofy smitten teenager when it comes to Tash”.

“I think it’s fairly simple to understand …” Bette chimed in, “Whatever happened with you and Cherie … you opened up your heart and now you’ve discovered some feelings that you hadn’t allowed to come out before”. “Tash is definitely stirring up those feelings in you, and honey that’s a good thing, embrace it” Tina reassured her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and giving her a hug. “And just because you don’t want Tash to be a one night stand, doesn’t mean you can’t be just as confident and seductive in trying to win her over” Alice added. “Are we doing anything together tonight?” Shane asked, a grin curling at her lips. “Go, call her, ask her out, take her to dinner, no ***** though” Bette ordered in a motherly way, “Yes Mom” Shane cheekily responded.

Shane got up to make the call outside, where she wouldn’t be overheard. She reached into her pocket and pulling out her cell phone, flipped it open and dialed the numbers as she held Tash’s card in her other hand. She felt a smile spread across her face as she saw Tash’s name. “Oh Shane, ask her if she can come teach us to ski or something, that way Alice can get some decent skiing in with Bette and Tina”. Shane pointed at Dana with her cell phone, giving her a wink “good thinking Dana, I’ll do that”, she walked out the doors taking deep breaths as she hit Dial on her phone.

“Hello, Tash speaking” came the sweet voice, “Hey there Tash speaking, this is Shane talking” Shane laughed. “Well hey there Shane talking” Tash retorted, “I wasn’t expecting to hear from you quite this soon I must say”. Shane blushed a little, wondering now if she was being too forward “Well I wanted to catch you before you got too far away … Dana and I were wondering if you had an hour or so to help us out with our technique … that is if you’re not busy already”. “I’ll be there in ten minutes, just gotta do something, meet me at that bench again, okay?” Tash told her, smiling at this opportunity to see Shane again. What she hadn’t quite expected was what she heard next. “And I was also wondering … if maybe you’d like to have dinner or something tonight” Shane asked clearly and with apparent confidence. “Sure, that’d be nice” Tash answered, a little surprised but growing more excited the more she thought about it. “Alright … well I’ll see ya when ya get here then” Shane responded as she ran her hand over her hair and softly bit her lip. “You will indeed, cya soon Shane” said Tash as she hung up after Shane said a soft “Bye”.

Meanwhile inside Blizzard, Bette, Tina, Alice and Dana were all watching Shane and making their own assumptions about the conversation taking place. Shane was pacing nervously, shuffling her booted feet, kicking snow and scuffing in a circle. When they saw Shane flip her phone closed then kiss it before putting it back in her pocket, the gang knew the conversation must have gone very well. Shane’s big smile only served to confirm their suspicions as she strutted to the table. “So? Do we have a date?” Dana asked, giving Shane a wink, “We do … and I have a second one later tonight” she proudly declared, drawing congratulations from her friends. Bette raised her glass “To the start of something new for Shane”, they clinked glasses and said cheers, the double meaning of Bette’s toast not lost on Shane who smiled appreciatively back.

**********

~tbc~