Dana was standing in the bathroom gathering the things she had left on the countertop. She threw her toothbrush and toothpaste into her makeup bag and steeled herself for the conversation she was about to have with her best friend.

Al? she called out the bathroom door.

Yeah, there was no emotion in Alices voice as she responded.

Are we going to talk about this or not? Dana finally blurted out.

I thought you wanted to drop it. So I dropped it, Alice was throwing her belongings into her suitcase as she spoke.

You kissed me, Dana finally said with her eyes squeezed shut and her hands gripping the edge of the bathroom vanity.

You had a lime in your mouth after we had downed what seemed like our weight in tequila, I was going for the lime! Alice said in her own defence. Besides, you had just licked salt off my neck. Im not a ***** robot Dana, I have nerve endings in my neck you know

What about after I spit the lime out, Dana asked quietly.

Ok, I shouldnt have kissed you again. You shouldnt have kissed me back, though. Alice grudgingly admitted the tequila had gotten the best of her.

I was drunk, this time it was Danas turn to be defensive.

Yeah, thats what it was, nothing more than a drunken grope, I wasnt actually hitting on you Dana

Dana laughed nervously.

Ok, so really, its just that we were caught up right? I mean thats all it was? Right? Because we decided long ago not to get tangled up in the web of sleeping with your friends and what if it didnt turn out and Dana had more to say, but Alice interrupted her.

DANA, I think you have to let it gowhat happens in Palm Springs stays in Palm Springs. Alice was leaning against the frame of the bathroom door as she said this with her hand extended toward Dana as if awaiting her handshake to seal the pact.

Of course. What happens here stays here. Dana extended her hand out and for the second time, the two friends vowed not to sleep together.
***********

Tina was busy packing her few belongings when she heard Bettes cell phone ring. Bette was just lounging on the bed relaxing before they had to be out of the room.