‘Come on, Dana. It’s ok. Let’s not create a scene.’ Alice put one arm around the athlete, who was now flushed red with anger, and pulled her away from Marvin towards the gymnasium. ‘You know how he is. He’s always been the obnoxious sort.’

            ‘But Al He called you names! No one is allowed to call my baby names, especially not in front of me.’

            Seeing how protective Dana was over her, Alice couldn’t help but feel her insides get stirred up with a warm, fuzzy feeling. She loved how Dana always stood up for her, no matter how trivial the matter was. Yet, Dana hardly ever stood up for herself. It was another perfect example of just how much Dana really loved her. She kissed the athlete’s temple and asked, ‘Anyway, what were you going to threaten Marvin with?’

            ‘I was going to say that if he didn’t keep his mouth shut, I’ll shove my tennis racket into that big mouth of his.’

            The couple laughed hysterically as they both mentally conjured up an image of Dana’s Wilson racket halfway into Marvin’s toad-like mouth.  

            ‘Morning, girls.’ A familiar voice greeted them as they entered the gym.

            ‘Hey Lucia.’ The couple said simultaneously as they spotted Dana’s trainer at the side rolling up exercise mats.

            Dana put her training bag down on the floor and turned to face Alice. Putting her toned arms around the journalist’s waist, she said sweetly, ‘I’ve to start training now. Will you be ok, dear?’ She brushed a lock of blonde hair away from Alice‘s forehead. ‘You can wait in the caf like you always do and work on your article.’ Then, she realized something was amiss. She looked all around the journalist and realized the Powerbook that never left Alice’s side on normal days wasn’t around. ‘Where’s your laptop, Al? Did you leave it in the car? I can go get it for you.’              

            ‘No no I’m not going to the caf today. I’m going to stay here with you! And while you do your weight training, I can work out too!’