“So who is it?” Tina said, resigned. Maybe Alice was right and she did need to go out. She was too lonely never to date again, she knew that already.

“Someone as different from Bette as night and day. As sweet and calm as an old Labrador retriever.”

“I’m really more of a cat person, Alice. Name?”

“Shelby.”

“Occupation?”

“Non-profit sector. Raises money for a foundation.”

“Mm. Sounds boring. What does she look like?”

The was a pause and Alice took a long sip of her iced tea and fixed her face into an innocent expression. Maybe she wasn’t kidding when she compared this Shelby to a dog, Tina thought warily.

“Alice, answer the question.”

“Well, you see, Tina…”

“Come on, Alice, I see you stalling. Out with it,” Tina said.

“The thing is, Shelby isn’t a woman. Shelby is a man.”

Tina choked on her iced coffee. “What? What did you say?”

“Shelby. Is a man,” Alice said. “Ooh, I didn’t know Regina’s had a boutique on this street,” she said, looking past Tina’s shocked face at a store behind her. “Wanna go in? We can pick you out something cute for your date.”

“Have you lost your mind? You’re telling me you set me up with a man?”

“Yes. Is that a problem?”

Tina spluttered for a second unable to answer, she was so surprised by Alice’s nonchalance. “Of course it is!”

“You’ve dated men before, Tina. You were living with Henry not that long ago.”

“Yes, but -”

“So you’re bisexual. Like me,” Alice added, hooking an arm through Tina’s and leading her into the boutique. “It’s not a big deal, is it?”

Tina wavered, unsure of how to reply. Alice did have a point. She followed Alice into the store and Alice immediately began pulling dresses off a rack and holding them up in front of Tina.

“Alice. I don’t think I’m ready to date a man again. I mean…”

“It’ll be fine, Tina, trust me. You’ll love him. He’s Southern, by the way. Funny, nice, sweet. Trust me.”

“You keep saying that,” Tina muttered, pushing a hanger Alice was holding away from her face. “Not that one.”

“I made a reservation for you two at March’s downtown. Friday night, 7 o’clock. Meet him there.”