Alice sat on the edge of her bed in a towel, bouncing her right leg up and down.  She pressed call, “Be cool Al” she said out loud.

“Hello”, Dana answered, sounding out of breath.

“Dana! Hi, it’s Alice.  Are you ok?”

“Yea, fine, just out for a run.  Are we still on for coffee?” 

Alice was temporarily distracted by Dana’s erratic breathing.  “Yep…You betcha, I was thinking The Planet in about an hour?  Or is that too soon?” 

“No, no that’ll be fine.  It’s in West Hollywood right? On Jefferson?”

“You got it.  I’ll see you then.”

“Looking forward to it.  Bye Al.”

“See you soon”.  Alice hung up the phone and flopped back onto her bed wearing a huge grin.

Alice waited patiently outside The Planet, after warning her friends already inside to be on their best behaviour.  She felt a sharp pang of nerves deep inside her stomach as she saw Dana’s BMW come into view, she masked it well waving at Dana as she found a parking space.  She walked to meet her, “Glad you could make it” she looked around, expecting to see Charlie, “aaww where’s the little guy?” Dana laughed getting out of the car, “Thanks, oh he’s with his Dad today.  So sorry, was your real reason for inviting me so you could drink ‘swush’ and go back to the slides at Silly Snakes?” Dana mocked.  “Nnoooo, not at all.  Don’t get me wrong, that sounds good but I’ll settle for coffee with you”.  “Let’s get some then.” Dana said heading toward The Planet’s front door.  “Wait, Dana.  I thought I should warn you…” Alice struggled for the words, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious, “my friends… they’re all gay”.  Dana threw Alice a semi-confused look, “and?” and walked through the door.

Alice was temporarily stunned by Dana’s blazé reaction, she at least expected her to look a little shocked.  She joined Dana at the counter, they ordered their drinks.  Dana passed Alice her Frappe, as they exchanged their fingers grazed each other, Alice was instantly overcome by ‘the chills’ and although she was starting to get used to them it didn’t make them any less shocking.  Her eyes looked deep into Dana’s and she almost could read somewhere deep inside that she felt it too.  Alice chastised herself, get over it Alice, never gona happen!

Alice caught her breath and walked over to the table where her friends were sitting.  “Guys…” she tried to get their attention, “this is Dana” she gestured towards Dana.  “And Dana… this is Shane, Bette, Tina, Jenny and Kit”.  Dana smiled politely, “Hi”.  Alice could tell she was a little embarrassed meeting all these new people at once, it just made Dana cuter in her eyes.

Once they sat down and got passed all the preliminary ‘getting-to-know-you’ questions Dana slipped into easy conversation with everyone.  Alice sat back for a moment, a little mesmerised, she came back to reality to here the tail-end of Dana and Bette’s conversation, “Alice told us how adorable your son is”.  “My son?! Who? Charlie? Charlie’s not my son, he’s my nephew!” Dana turned to look at Alice, “You thought Charlie was my son?!” she let out a giggle, “Uuumm, yeah, he’s your nephew? Wow, I should have probably found these things out yesterday”.  All the girls, including Alice joined in, laughing at the miscommunication.

Soon after, everyone left for work.  Alice and Dana walked together to their cars, “Hey guys” Shane shouted out of her jeep, pulling up beside them, “I forgot to say, Alice, I’ve invited some people round later.  Bette, Tina and Jenny are gona come too.  Dana, you should come, we could make it a little paaaarrty?” Alice and Dana both laughed, “Sounds good, I think I might just be there” Dana said, stealing a sideways glance at Alice.  “Great, see ya later” Shane said driving off.

“So sounds like I’m having a party later” Alice said.  Dana giggled, feeling like it’d been too long since she’d done this much laughing, “Yeah, you are”.  “Are you really gona come?” Alice asked secretly hoping and crossing everything she could possibly cross.  “Yea, of course, sounds like it’ll be fun and you’re friends are great.  I’ll call you later and check directions and stuff, ok?” Alice smiled, “Ok, I’ll talk to you later.”  They shared a brief and slightly awkward hug that lasted a little too long for two friends who were saying goodbye to each other, possibly because Alice was almost completely immobilized by the chills that once again took over her body.