Lara shook her head, causing concern to flash across both Alice and Bette’s faces as they seated themselves at the table. Lara smiled and winked to reassure them that she was not experiencing any further dizziness.

"Soooo, Bette, you were saying you got the job?" Alice tried to pick up the threads of their previous conversation despite her ongoing concern for Lara.

Bette, suddenly shy, nodded, "Yes….you’re looking at the newest Dean of Academic Affairs at LA Art College." Bette waved off Lara and Alice’s congratulations. "But that’s not all, I have another surprise."

"What’s up?"

"I heard from Shane last night." Bette said with a relieved smile.

"Where is she? How is she? Did she say when she’s coming back? What the fuck happened?" Alice sprayed the table with her questions.

"Easy there, Alice. Let Bette take them one at a time." Lara said with an amused expression.

"She’s in Austin, Texas. Some sort of a pilgrimage, I think. She sounded tired, but okay. She said she’d be home sometime next week. She sends her love, and says she’ll try and explain things once she gets back."

"Thank God she’s alright." Alice leaned back and ran her fingers through her hair. "I was getting worried."

"Me too," Bette admitted. "I feel much better now that I’ve heard her voice. I think she’ll have a tough road for awhile….I saw Carmen last night, and she wasn’t interested in hearing Shane’s name."

"Can you blame her?" Lara asked with a frown. "Shane really stepped over the line when she left Carmen at the altar. Can you imagine how that must have felt?"

Bette nodded. "You’re right. I don’t think what Shane did can be forgotten….but I think she realizes how devastated Carmen must be. I don’t know if she plans on trying for any reconciliation, but I know she feels like shit for having behaved the way she did."

Alice took a swallow of cappucino. "Well, anyway, that’s one less thing to worry about."

"I don’t know about the two of you, but I’m tired of worrying. How about a little celebration instead?" Bette split her gaze evenly between both Lara and Alice.

"What do you have in mind, Porter?" Alice asked with a grin. It was a nice change to see Bette in a playful mood.

"I’m thinking of a girl’s night out. Angelica’s with Tina this weekend. Why don’t you guys come over for drinks and dinner…and afterwards we’ll go to Milk for some dancing. I’ll give Jenny, Carmen a call to see if they are up for an adventure and Kit’s already said yes. What do you say?"

Alice glanced at Lara with a raised eyebrow. "I’m in."

Lara nodded with a grin. "Count me in, too. Thanks for including me, Bette."

Bette smiled. "I figured it’s time we get to know each other a little better."

Lara knew that Bette was referencing their heated discussion from the day before. She also knew that it was unlike Bette to take conciliatory measures, so her grin grew a little wider. "Here, here."

Alice, oblivious to the implications of the exchange, studied Lara. She was looking forward to spending a laid back, fun evening with the redhead, and felt as though the night ahead might be a turning point in their relationship.