Bette, Tina, Alice and Tash waited at the top of the ski slope for Dana and Shane so they could all go down the hill together. They exited the chair lift and headed straight over to the others, gloating about their solo runs. Dana hugged Alice protectively “So, what have you two been talking about?” Dana asked suspiciously. Before Alice or Tash could open their mouths to answer, Shane spoke “I apologise up front for anything Alice told you Tash, its probably not true”. “So you’re not the best hairdresser in California?” Tash asked, smirking cheekily. “Yes I am, that part is true” Shane played along, leaving the matter for now, but really wanting to ask Alice what on earth she divulged about her. They all started down the slope together for their final run of the day. No falls, everyone staying together and going at a nice leisurely pace, giving encouragement to Shane and Dana who had really come a long way since this morning.

Reaching the bottom, they say their goodbyes to Tash who tells Shane that she’ll see her at seven o’clock. Shane smiles happily, glad that at least Tash still wanted to get together after she talked to Alice about God knows what. On their way back to the cabin, Shane started her interrogation. “So what did you tell her Alice?”. “Relax Shane she likes you, nothing I said changed that” Alice reassured her. “But what did you tell her, I don’t want any surprises tonight, I don’t want to tell her one thing when she’s been told another” Shane rationalised. “Just don’t lie to her Shane, easy fixed” encouraged Alice who really only wanted to help. “So you told her the truth about me? Great, thanks alot Al, right now she’s fixing to hook up with someone who HASN’T fucked all of California” Shane was getting angry, she really didn’t like the picture that Alice may have painted of her.

By this time they were back at the cabin and the others went about keeping out of this argument and letting Alice and Shane sort it out themselves. “Will you relax …” Alice insisted, “okay this is what I said. That you were popular with the ladies, that you’d been hurt recently and just wanted someone to love and get love in return …”. Shane didn’t think that sounded too bad, “okay …”. Alice continued “and I also said that you liked her”. Shane’s face tensed again, “You did what?”. “Chill out, she said she likes you too, and wants to get to know you better …” Alice tried to explain, but Shane just shook her head and walked out onto the balcony for a cigarette.

Bette sighed, giving Alice that disapproving look, “Couldn’t help playing match maker huh?”. “Hey, SHE asked ME about Shane okay? I was putting in a good word. It worked” Alice reasoned, trying to defend herself. “Still Alice, it wasn’t really your place to air Shane’s dirty laundry” added Tina, joining Bette’s side. “What laundry, I said she was popular, I didn’t give out nitty gritty, and besides, she STILL wants to see her”. Bette still wasn’t convinced “Well I guess we’ll see … if Tash even shows up”. Alice had just about enough of this, “Oh come on, don’t be so melodramatic, she’ll be here”. Alice silently thought to herself “God I hope I haven’t seriously messed this up for Shane”. She excused herself and went out to talk to Shane.

“Al don’t, not right now okay?” Shane wasn’t in the mood for talking to Alice, she was trying to figure out what she should say to Tash if she shows up. “Okay Shane, I just want to apologise, I shouldn’t have even said anything about you. But she’s nice, and she likes you, she genuinely wanted to know more about you. She said you seemed to be a bit guarded, and she wanted to hear more about you from people who really know and love you. I honestly didn’t say anything bad, I was as vague as possible” Shane simply nodded, still not convinced until Tash was at her door. As if on cue, her phone rang, it was Tash. Shane’s face dropped, preparing for the dump ‘n’ run she thought was coming.

“Hi Tash, whatsup?” Shane tried to sound cheerful. “Hi Shane, not much, ummm about tonight …” Tash began. Shane closed her eyes as the words struck her like a dagger, “It’s okay … I understand, you don’t owe me any explanation”. “What? Shane I’m not cancelling on you” Tash reassured her. Shane took a deep breath “Ohh … ummm well good, so what’s on your mind?”. “Apart from you?” Tash giggled softly, “I just wanted to know if it would be okay if I came by at 7.30pm, I’m a bit achey so I’m gonna take a bath”. Shane was very relieved and blushing slightly from Tash’s admission that she was thinking about her, “Sure, no problem, I’ll see you then”. “Yes, you will, bye Shane” Tash purred. “Bye”, Shane closed her phone and smiled at Alice, sliding her phone into her back pocket.

Alice grinned, giving Shane a playful punch on the arm, “there ya go, told ya, no apology necessary, this one’s on the house”, she said as she turned to walk away. Shane grabbed Alice from behind and hugged her tightly, pretending to strangle her. Shane walked them both toward the door to go inside, when suddenly Shane stopped in her tracks and loosened her grip on Alice, looking to her right with wide eyes and gobsmacked mouth. Alice looked at Shane and followed her gaze, she became equally as surprised. They both walked in zombie like state over to the source of their stare. A room at the end of the balcony, partitioned off entirely by glass windows. Inside the room was, what could only be a mirage to these ladies, surely. It was a large hot tub, big enough for 8 people. Alice and Shane stood outside with hands and faces pressed to the glass, groaning softly and looking for the way in. There was a door to the back, next to the now apparent two sided fireplace. The gals turned to each other and smiled wickedly, both running inside to tell the others.

“You guys, we have a hot tub!” Alice yelled as she raced through the door. “Big enough for 8 hotties” Shane added as she grabbed the back of Alice’s shirt to slow her down on their way to the door beside the fireplace. It was very well hidden as the fireplace immediately takes your focus when you look in that direction. Bette, Tina and Dana all dropped what they were doing and went to investigate. The door flung open and everyone inside for a look, they stood around in awe, making “oooh” and “aaaah” sounds. “I wanna get in now!” Dana exclaimed excitedly. “What about dinner?” Alice asked. “Always thinking with your stomach Al” teased Dana, sliding her arm around her honey. “How about we have dinner first, then we can relax in it all evening” Bette suggested, “… besides, we have a bet to honour, and since it’s now five o’clock, Tina, what can we do for you?”.

Tina had forgotten about the bet, and got a wicked grin when she realised that both Alice and Bette were at her service, “I’m starved, how about something to eat”. “Certainly ma’am, and what can we get you for dinner?” Bette asked in her politest voice. “Pssst Tina … pizza, say pizza” Dana whispered, giving Tina a big shiny smile. “Dana, this isn’t your bet” Alice scolded, playfully patting Dana’s butt. “Ohhh pizza sounds good” Tina responded. “It’s okay Tina, don’t just ask for it cos I said so, I’m sorry, this is your night”, Dana graciously apologised. “You’re right, this is MY night, and I want pizza please” Tina ordered, snapping her fingers jokingly, watching Bette and Alice scurry to the phone to make the order. “I could get used to this” Tina commented to Dana, giving her a wink.

Shane was in her room, scrounging through her clothes for something suitable to wear tonight on her date with Tash. Everything was wrinkled and nothing seemed to be right for the occasion. It was just dinner, but Shane’s dinner ensemble was usually whatever she was wearing at the time of the invitation. “Alllllice!” Shane yelled, “I need fashion advice”. Alice squealed and jumped to her feet, skipping in to Shane’s room to help her out “So, what’s the dillio?”. “I’ve got clothes here, but nothing to wear. This is important and I wanna look hot” Shane explained, throwing clothes out of her suitcase and onto her bed. “I see, this is quite a collection of crapola” Alice joked, picking items up between her fingertips and tossing them aside like stinky garbage. “Attention all personnel, wardrobe crisis! Please report to Shane’s room with date clothing suggestions at once” Alice announced in her best *MASH* voice. “Why do I feel a fashion parade coming on?” Shane asked Alice as the others scrambled to their rooms and grabbed clothes.

It was almost seven o’clock and the fashions were flying thick and fast. The gals all sat out around the fireplace eating their pizzas. With every outfit she strutted out to her friends, twirled and posed like a real supermodel, making them all giggle at her antics. So far she had only half settled on a black pant suit of Bette’s with a burgundy blouse of Alice’s. Her next outfit was a white ruffled shirt and pair of snug jeans of her own which looked okay, but wasn’t quite right. It felt like she had tried every combination of all her friends outfits, but still was undecided. She wanted something to leap out and grab her when she put it on, so far she’d only been tenatively grabbed. Soon she would come across something that would blow her away.

Dana suddenly had a revelation, running to get her inspirational outfit and going into Shane’s room to help her with it. There was silence around the fire as the muffled sounds of disdain echoed down the hallway. “I can’t Dana, no way” Shane exclaimed. “Oh come on, don’t be such a baby, it’ll look nice, you wanna make a different impression right? Show Tash the new Shane?” Dana reasoned in a motherly way. “But not like this Dana, this is not me!” Shane pleaded for mercy. “Exactly, now hush up and put these shoes on, I’ll be out with the others, just try it, humor me okay?” Dana whined as she closed the door behind her and leapt onto the couch next to Alice, grinning like a cheshire cat. “What did you do?” Alice asked, drawing a shush from Dana as Shane’s bedroom door creaked open.

Shane was truly a sight to behold. Her heels clip-clopped down the hallway to signal her approach, and when she rounded the corner into sight, the gals had to immediately cover their mouths to stifle their giggles. Dana had given Shane a floral knee length dress with a long black coat over the top, stockings and high heels, dangling a handbag from her wrist. It was no use, their hands could not stop the laughter. Shane joined, knowing that this had to be a joke until she noticed Dana wasn’t laughing quite as hard as the others. “It doesn’t quite suit me Dana, thanks anyway though” Shane smiled at her friend, “I just don’t have your athletic gorgeous legs to make this work”. Dana blushed, crossing her ***** legs, Alice leaned over and covered Dana’s legs, giving Shane the stare “eyes off the merchandise *****!”.

Shane had one more outfit to try on, a nice pair of dark denim jeans, a black silk blouse and long black “Matrix” style jacket. This was the one, she proudly strutted out to the others, wearing sunglasses for effect. “THAT is it Shane, you look hot hot hottttt momma” Alice commented as she fanned herself. “Wow … incredible Shane, she won’t be able to resist you” Tina added, giving Shane a genuine smile. “Thanks guys, I feel like a million bucks” Shane gushed, dusting off her shoulders. “Well if you spill anything on that jacket, that’s what you’ll owe me” Bette joked, straightening the collar of Shane’s blouse for her. “I hear ya, thanks for letting me borrow it” Shane spoke softly. “You’re welcome, anytime” Bette responded, taking Shane’s face in her hands and planting a soft kiss on her forehead. “Go see Tina, she’ll fix ya up all nice and pretty”. “Make-up?” Shane asked worriedly, she rarely wore the stuff, but she did as asked on this occasion.

Tina was in the bathroom already getting her kits out. Shane shyly knocked on the door, “Hi, I’m here for my seven o’clock appointment?”. Tina giggled, “sure honey, come in and take a seat”. Shane sat down and let Tina work her magic. “So, doing anything special tonight?” Tina continued in her ‘unfamiliar make-up artist’ role. “Umm yeah I have a date” Shane played along. “Oooh what’s she like?” Tina applied the foundation basics first then set about highlighting Shane’s best features, her eyes. Shane closed her eyes and a smile spread across her lips as she started to describe Tash. “Well, she has sandy blonde hair with a few brighter highlights through it, about shoulder length. Blue eyes, a very ***** mouth, a beautiful body, ya know she’s a ski instructor, so she’s toned and filled out in all the right places”. “Mmmm she sounds dreamy, what do you like most about her body?” Tina teasingly asked. “Wow ummm good question, well ya know I love a nice ***** and a good rack. She certainly gets gold stars in that department” Shane laughed as she confessed her favourite womanly attributes causing Tina to giggle at Shane’s obvious answers.

“Tina …” Shane began, “I’m nervous, I don’t wanna ***** this up”. Tina’s heart warmed as she heard the vulnerability in Shane’s voice. “You’ll be fine honey, just be yourself, she really likes you for that” offered Tina. “I guess … but what if it’s not good enough? How will I bounce back?” Shane was really worried, this was her first attempt at closeness with someone since Cherie. “Shane, you need to take this one step at a time. You’re wondering how you’ll recover from something you haven’t even begun yet. Get through the first five minutes, then take it from there. I promise you, there’s nothing to worry about tonight, just have fun” Tina’s words of wisdom flowed forth as she put the finishing touches to Shane’s eye make-up, making her positively smouldering.

“Now, I think that this color lipstick will just set you off honey, see what you think” Tina handed Shane a deep burgundy as she opened her eyes and looked in the mirror. She was sooo surprised at what she saw in the mirror that she had to do a double take at her own reflection. “Oh wow Tina, you made me look hot!” Shane gushed, fixing her hair to compliment her face. “Well, I had a very beautiful canvas to work with, so I just applied some finishing touches” said Tina as she softly rubbed Shane’s shoulder before walking out to get some more pizza. Shane smiled standing up and moving closer to the mirror to apply the lipstick “Thanks Tina”, “Anytime honey” came the reply.

As she blotted and puckered up to the mirror, her stomach began to sommersault with butterflies. Shane smiled at herself in the mirror, this was what it was all about, something real, with substance. The other encounters she’d had with random women were fading into a part of her history she’d sooner forget. Regardless of whether this worked out or not with Tash, Shane was on the right track now to finding what she really wants from life and love. Shane didn’t hear the knock on the front door, Dana coming into the bathroom to let Shane know. “Shane … Tash is here for you” Dana informed her, almost giggling with excitement. “Okay” Shane softly said to herself and Dana.

“Wow, you look incredible, your eyes … so beautiful” Dana gushed. “Thanks Dee, so how does she look? Am I overdressed?” Shane asked, smoothing her clothes down and applying some perfume to her pulse points. “She looks gorgeous, you’ll see, and you’re not overdressed, you both fit perfectly” Dana smoothed the back of Shane’s jacket as she spoke, ushering her out of the bathroom to her waiting date. Shane ran her fingertips through her hair as she walked down the hallway, clearing her throat ready to greet Tash. The moment she saw her, she lost the ability to speak. Tash looked beautiful, her hair was in soft curls falling across her shoulders, eyes piercingly blue, highlighted by her makeup. Soft inviting painted lips a gorgeous shade of rose. She wore classic denim jeans and a figure hugging navy blue knitted top complimented by a navy suede jacket. The slight hint of bare midriff whipped Shane’s mind into a frenzy which thankfully re-activated her ability to speak.

“Hi Tash, wow, you look amazing” Shane complimented her date. “Heyyyy oh my God, you look incredible Shane” Tash retorted, studying Shane’s form from top to toe. Tash woke herself from her daze, “So … shall we get going?”. “Sure okay, cya ladies” Shane purred, smirking at them as they each gave their own “go get em tiger” signals of encouragement while Tash wasn’t looking. When she did turn around, the gals tried to act casual. Bette opened the door for them “Goodnight ladies”. “Have fun you two” said Tina, “Yeah, good to see you again Tash” added Dana, “Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do” joked Alice. Shane turned around, poked her tongue out and gave Alice the finger. “That’s right, a little of each of that” Alice continued, getting a playful slap on the arm from Dana.

Bette closed the door and leaned against the back of it, “They look soooo good together, I hope it works out for them”. Tina walked up to Bette slowly and smiled “Anything is possible”. She pressed her palms against the door just above Bette’s shoulders and leaned in to kiss her. “Oh gross, not another lovey-dovey couple” Alice complained, holding her stomach and feigning sickness until Dana grabbed her and kissed her with a passionate lust, reminding Alice that she was also part of a lovey dovey couple. Dana pulled back from the kiss leaving Alice breathless and panting. Dana flashed a wide smile at Alice then ran off giggling and chanting “HOT TUB … HOT TUB … HOT TUB” causing the others to laugh and follow her lead, going into their rooms and putting on their swimsuits.

**********

~tbc~