She slowly turns the door knob and moves her first steps into Carmen’s room.
Everything is tidy, but something unfamiliar immediately draws her attention.
A bottle of red wine right on the coffee table. And two glasses.
Shane blinks and her smile disappears.
She suddenly feels so stupid standing there with her stupid pink package in her hands.
Carmen appears from the bathroom. She’s wearing only a black bathrobe and looks stunning.
“Hi…”, she says, slightly smiling at her.
Shane’s face is extremely serious.
“What’s that”, she asks, unable to control herself.
Carmen frowns, perplexed.
“What?”.
“That”. Shane points at the bottle on the coffee table.
Carmen turns her head.
“A red wine bottle?”, she says, calmly.
Shane’s jaw clenches.
Control yourself control yourself control yourself.
“What’s the matter?”.
“Nothing”.
“Shane… what’s wrong?”. Carmen moves some steps towards her and Shane steps back.
“Shane…”. Carmen’s lips part.
“Nothing… I am just surprised. That’s all. Not a big deal”, Shane states, trying to act nonchalantly. Unsuccessfully.
Carmen is now staring at her with her arms folded. She nods, slowly.
“I see. What have you got there?”.
Shane jolts.
“Uh… It’s… Uhm… I have something for you”, she says, trying to smile and handing the package to Carmen.
Then, she changes her mind and says.
“Look, I didn’t mean to disturb you. It seems that you are in good company, so I’ll leave you alone. Nevermind. Maybe some other time”. And she turns around, heading for the door.
“Shane…”.
“No, no, nevermind, really”.
“Shane… That bottle is for me and you”, Carmen says frankly.
Shane freezes, staring at the closed door.
She can hear Carmen chuckling slightly behind her back.
“I am sorry… I am an idiot”, she says, blushing.
“It’s okay. You have amazed me, anyway”, Carmen murmurs taking the gift-wrapped from Shane’s hands.
“Why?”, she asks, surprised.
“For a second, I thought you were about to make a scene. But you didn’t. And not because you don’t care, I can see that”.
Shane is speechless.
“I know you, Shane. When you called, I was sure that you would show with some colored package for me. It was all in the tone of your voice”.
For the very first time, her voice sounds gentle, gracious. There is no trace of sarcasm or tease in it. Just a genuine glow.
Shane smiles and relaxes.
Silently, Carmen unwraps the package and, a second later, she’s observing surprised a black evening dress. A beautiful Armani dress.
“Shane… You didn’t have to… I don’t really know what to say…”.
“Just say that you like it”, Shane answers humbly.
Carmen’s teary eyes
– teary? –
stare at her.
“I do like it. I like it a lot”, she murmurs, her voice trembling.
Shane tilts her head.
“Hey…”, and caresses her face with a thumb, a concerned look into her eyes.
They’re generating electricity.
Both of them.
And then something unexpected happens.
Carmen hugs her tightly.
Shane remains motionless for a second, then brushes her back. Slowly, gently.
Carmen’s lips on her cheek.
“Thank you…”.
And they’re inches apart.
They’re breathing each other.
They’re staring at each other.
Fight the urge, Shane says to herself.
I am going to die if I don’t kiss her now, Shane says to herself.
Remember your promise, Shane says to herself.
And she pulls away, with a bittersweet smile.
“Put it on, please…”, she murmurs, and then she walks out the room.