Alice studied her for a moment. “You’re being kind of cryptic right now you know that?”
Shane shrugged. “Well I’m worried that if I say too much I might scare you off.”

Alice’s head dropped a little. She’d been hoping that things would go
smoothly tonight, that they could avoid having yet another
confrontation. “Shane…”
Shane shook her head. “Right, you don’t wanna talk about whatever it is
that’s been bothering you.” She took a swig of her drink. “Fine.”
Alice sighed. “Shane, I do – I do wanna talk, but not here.”

Shane looked at her. “Okay, so when, where?”

“How about we go to my place after the party?” Alice suggested.

Shane nodded. “Okay.”

The music stopped suddenly, and Dana’s voice rang through the room. “Hey, can I have everyone attention for a minute?”
Everyone looked at her. She was standing in the middle of the dance floor with Lara next to her.

“Thank you,” she said as the room quieted down. “I’m really glad that
you all came tonight, not only because it’s Lara’s birthday.” She
looked at her girlfriend lovingly. “But because there’s something very
important that I’d like to say.”
She directed her gaze back on the crowd of people who had gathered there to celebrate with them.
“When I met Lara, I was in kind of a dark place. I was struggling with
the demands of being a professional athlete as well as the pressure
that my manager was putting on me to stay in the closet. It was really
difficult for me, and when Lara and I started seeing each other, I
found myself in an even more complicated situation, or at least that’s
what I thought.” Dana turned so that she was facing Lara. She took
Lara’s hands and held them in her own. “I was wrong. Lara, there was
nothing complicated about it, but I couldn’t see that, and I almost
lost you because of it.” Lara’s eyes swelled with tears, remembering
the day they broke up. It had been there, in that very café. “People
think that I’m this strong, courageous person for coming out, but
you’re the strong one Lara. You gave me strength. You supported me and
encouraged me when I was too caught up in my own insecurities to do it
myself.” Tears began to roll down Lara’s cheeks. “You taught me that
the only thing I should be afraid of is of not living my life. I am a
better person, because of you…” Dana’s voice was becoming choked with
emotion. “A person who is so proud that the world knows we are
together. A person who is happier, and feels more loved, then she ever
thought was possible.” Lara smiled as she wiped the tears from her
cheeks. “Having you in my life has moved me beyond words, beyond
actions, beyond love…” Fighting back the tears herself, Dana bent
down and got on one knee.

The entire room gasped.

“Oh my god…” Alice said.

“Is she gonna do what I think she’s gonna do?” Shane asked.

Dana pulled a small black box out of her pocket. She held it up to Lara and opened it. “Lara… will you marry me?”

Alice’s jaw dropped. “Holy shit…”

“Did you know about this? Shane asked, not taking her eyes off the scene before them.
Alice shook her head. “I had no idea.”

Lara got on her knees so they were level. She held Dana’s face in her hands and kissed her passionately. “I love you so much.”

“Is that a yes?” Dana asked.

“Yes…” Lara nodded as the tears sprung freely from her eyes. “Yes…” She kissed her again. “Of course yes.”

The room erupted with applause.

Shane grinned. “Dana’s getting married…  Wow.”

“Who didn’t see that coming?” Alice asked.

They both raised their hands.