“No, not at all.  It’d be a pleasure.”  Alice flashed a wide grin which Dana returned blushing slightly.

“Dana…” Alice whispered as the brunette strapped Charlie into his seat, “What’s Silly Snakes?”  Dana giggled closing the door, “It’s an indoor adventure playground, it’s actually really cool.  Are you sure you don’t mind coming along?  Trust me you really don’t have to.”

“I don’t mind honestly, sounds pretty awesome actually and if you say it’s cool, I’ll take your word for it.  I’ll follow you in my car, ok?”  Dana smiled, “Ok”

Alice turned to leave.  “Oh Al… what about your research?”

“Research?” Alice asked, confused.

“Yea, you know, for your article”

“Oh… that… I can do it another time” Alice tried to sound convincing, “Or maybe I’ll write it on LA’s best indoor adventure playgrounds instead”

Two hours later Alice had decided that Silly Snakes was her new favourite place in all of LA.  She’d spent the time going up and down on all the different slides with Charlie, even when he’d told her he wasn’t scared anymore and didn’t need her to go with him. 

It was time to go home, Alice took Charlie over to the drinks counter, “After all that running around you must need a drink little guy”.  “Yes, pwease.  I want a swush”.  “A swush?” Alice asked having no idea what he meant.  “Yep, a swush” Charlie struggled in her arms pointing at the slushie machine.  “Ok, what colour? Red, blue or green?”. “Bwue and gween”.  “You can’t have both, which is your favourite colour?” Alice asked.  “I like both the same”.  “Ok, ok, we’ll ask the lady to do a mix.”

Alice and Charlie returned to Dana looking proud of themselves, holding a blue and green slushie each.  “I thought you might feel left out” Alice said holding one out to Dana.  Dana beamed, how cute, “Yum, thank you”.

They walked out to the car park, all three debating which Silly Snakes slide was the best. 

“Home time Charlie, say bye to Alice” Dana said, as Charlie held his arms out to Alice.  She picked him up.  “Bye Charlie, I had a fun day”.  Charlie hugged round her neck tightly, “Bye bye Awice”.  He giggled as Alice set him into the car and tickled him.

“I really did have lots of fun” Alice admitted to Dana.  “Me too, areyoufreeforcoffeetomorrow?” Dana blurted out so quickly that it took Alice a few moments to actually process the question and wait for the chills that threatened to cut off her oxygen supply at the thought of seeing Dana two days in a row to subside.  She wasn’t expecting it, she wasn’t really prepared for it but none of that mattered because, having spent the day with the woman she had been trying to come up with reasons to see her again, this way she didn’t need one.  Alice smiled, “Definitely, I know this great place.”  They exchanged numbers and agreed to meet for coffee the next day.

Both women got into their cars, smiled and let out a sigh.  “I wike Awice” Charlie said.  “Me too” Dana replied.