“Because I was scared. I have never been so scared in my entire life Al. The idea of you having even half the feelings for me that I have for you, it just didn’t make sense. Look at you – you’re Alice Pieszecki, the smart and beautiful and funny woman that just lights up every room she walks into. I’m worthless next to you.”

“You are not worthless,” Alice interrupted her, her eyes staring defiantly into Dana’s this time. “Don’t you ever say that.”

Dana simply nodded and continued talking.

“Alice if I had known that you had felt this way I would have held onto you from the day we met and never let you go.”

Suddenly Dana’s lips were met by Alice‘s. Neither of the two women had ever experienced anything like it before as their lips moved together again and again. It was a passionate kiss, but also a comfortable one. ***** but undeniably tender. Without breaking their kiss, the two made their way to Alice’s bedroom, stumbling over the lounge and through the doorway, both unaware of the photo frames that they tumbled over or the still half opened front door.

“Dana,” Alice whispered through their kisses as she was lowered onto her bed. “Dana, maybe..” she couldn’t believe she was going to say this. “Maybe we should wait.”

Dana looked up, somewhat startled. A giant wave of fear rushed over her body as she looked at the blonde. Maybe Alice didn’t want this. Maybe she had changed her mind. Dana suddenly jumped off the bed to stand near the door, distancing herself from Alice, allowing herself the perfect position to run out of the apartment if her greatest fear proved true. Alice felt physically ill as she watched the sadness and worry in Dana’s face, the hurt that she had caused so apparent. She jumped off the bed to stand in front of Dana and grabbed her in a strong embrace, her hands weaving around Dana’s waist, her head placed on Dana’s shoulder, her lips next to Dana’s ear.

“Please don’t be worried Dana. I haven’t changed my mind – you’re still the object of all my wildest fantasies,” Alice laughed into Dana’s ear, feeling the brunette smile into her shoulder. She moved her head away from Dana’s, allowing Alice to look straight into Dana’s eyes. “But it’s different with you Dana. We’ve been best friends for years and, and well I love you. More than anyone else I know. And I just don’t think that we should share our first wonderful night together only for me to jet off the next morning.”

Dana didn’t break contact with Alice‘s gaze, but her face fell and tears began to swell up in her eyes.

“You – You’re still going to go? Even after what I said? You’re still leaving me?”

Alice smiled at her, and leant forward to place a light kiss on Dana’s bottom lip.

“You don’t expect me to quit over the phone do you? I’ll need to go over there for a few days to hand in my resignation.”

“You’re not going?” Dana asked once more, her entire body tingling, waiting expectantly for some reassurance on Alice‘s behalf.

“Not for the world.”