The two friends quickly caught up on what had happened since they last talked, which, was only the night before. Dana couldn’t help but wonder why, Alice hadn’t told her about bring Devaux to the party.

Apparently board by no longer being the center of Alice’s attention,  Gabby started kissing the blonde’s neck gently before whispering in her ear, “Let’s go dance baby,” tugging Alice toward the makeshift dance floor where other couples were already dancing.

Dana caught the torn look in her friend’s eyes and said, “I’m going to catch up with Bette. I haven’t said hi to her yet.”

“Are you sure,” Alice asked not wanting to cut her conversation with Dana short?

“Yeah, have fun,” Dana replied with a shrug and a smile.

“We will,” Gabby replied acknowledging Dana for the first time since she joined the couple. “Let’s go Alice.”

Giving Dana a little shrug of her own, Alice let Gabby lead her over to the dance floor.

Shaking her head, Dana walked back into the house and for the next hour pretended to be having a good time all the while wondering why the hell Alice was with Gabby again.

She deserves better. She deserves the best– someone that is not going to go screw around on her or fuck with her head. I better Devaux doesn’t even know Alice’s favorite food or color or movie.

Her mood soured, Dana decided just to call it an early night and just slip out of the party. Grabbing her jacket a purse Dana left Bette and Tina’s.

She made it almost all the way down the front walk to the side walk when she heard a voice call out, “Disappearing before midnight, Dane?”

Turning around to see Alice walking towards her, Dana gave the blonde a small smile, “I have training early tomorrow.”

There was a moment of silence between the two friends as they stood looking at each other.

“I know you’re not happy that I am here with Gabby,” Alice said. “But we just have this connection and she promised she’s changed. Begged me to give her another chance. Gabby begging… can you imagine? So I’m giving her another chance.”

A million responses rushed through Dana’s head and every single one sounded like a response of a scorned lover. So instead she just tried to be what she always is and will be to Alice- a friend.

Stepping forward, Dana pulled Alice into a huge, whispering, “If she hurts you again I will killer her with my tennis racket.”

Laughing at her friend, Alice squeezed Dana tightly before letting go. “Stay. It is only an hour until midnight. Please?”

It took everything in Dana to resist Alice’s puppy dog eyes, again citing an early practice for her tournament but promising to meet up with Alice for dinner the next night.

Face washed and teeth brushed, Dana put on her pajamas and snuggled into bed.  She glanced at the clock on her bedside table.

11:59pm

She tried not to think that in less than a minute Alice would be kissing Gabby to bring in the New Year.  Instead she tried to decide what she wanted to do for her New Year’s Resolution. She was a healthy person so dieting or cutting back on sweets was out. After a moment her mind once again drifted back to Alice and she knew her resolution.

I resolve this year to get over my attraction to Alice. A relationship between us would never work anyway.

Dana glanced at the clock again.

12:00am

She instantly thought what it would be like to kiss Alice then groan pressing a pillow to her face.

 “Not a great way to start Fairbanks.”

**

TBC