I dont know if she feels me looking, or if she just happens to look back at the rearview mirror then. But I feel her eyes on me and she lingers there for a minute. There is no softening in her expression, no anything there. I dont know why shes taken off her sunglasses, but I find it surprising. I would think that she wants her defenses up in full force right about now.

The trip out to Topanga is a long one, thanks to traffic on the PCH and a tractor trailer accident. Alice is playing this stupid game of twenty questions. She claims its for a story. She polls everyone on certain things. How old were we when we lost our virginity? I was fourteen, as was Jenny. Bette, Kit, and Alice were all sixteen. Kyle was seventeen.

What about you, Shane, Alice says.

Im still saving myself for marriage, Shane says. Her voice is perfect for dry humor, deep and uninflected.

Everyone laughs hard enough that no one seems to notice that Al doesnt probe further. I wonder about this. I put my shades on and watch her.

Okay, next question. How many times have you been in love?

I watch Shane. Her forehead wrinkles a little and her lips twitch. She is anxious either thinking about it or answering it.

Kit blows air out between her lips. *****, she says.

Ive been in love twice, Bette says quietly.

Me too, Jenny says. Im not sure why but I think shes referring to the elusive Jamie, and her ex-husband.

Ive been…three times, Alice says.

Have I ever been in love? I have no clue. This thing that makes me feel like a lesser character in an Alien movie, like it wants to claw out of my chest, thats the closest Ive been.

Ive been once, Kyle says.

Shane?

Im not answering that ***** question, all right? It’s easy to tell when she’s pissed, bcause her voice becomes a monotone.

Yeah, yeah, we all know, youre not that kind of girl. Alice rolls her eyes and I feel like smacking her.

Leave her alone, Al. I say it before I think it. And Shane is looking at me, mouth open, and Im unsure if shes pissed that I took it upon myself to rescue her, or if she even cares.