“Lara, honey, who’s here,” the brunette asks, coming into the room. I notice her face almost fall to the ground. We lock eyes. I drop my head, staring at the ground.

I think the exchange between Dana and I isn’t lost on Lara. She steps closer to Dana, wrapping her arm around Dana’s waist. I look around the room, searching for an escape, but I’m trapped. Trapped in the memories of what I had and the agony of what I desire.

Shane notices the tension, “Dane, you look greatyeahAl and I were in the neighborhood and we were wondering if Lara and you would like to join us for lunch?”

I turn my head up to face Shane, looking her straight in the eye, giving her the “what in the ***** are you doing look”. I may want to try and be Dana’s friend, but please spare me the sight of her and Lara conoodling in a both across from me. God, I wonder how many nights they stayed up having a good laugh over ‘poor’ Alice.

Dana slips away from Lara’s grasp. “Well, I dunno. Don’t you have a meeting with Kit this afternoon, Lara?”

The red head nods, “Yeah, we are going over the menu. She wants to make some last minute changes before we put in our next order to the suppliers.”

Dana purses her lips together, shaking her head. She looks over at me, searching for my eyes to connect with, but I can’t let her. I can’t let her in.

“But why don’t you guys go ahead with out meI’m sure you have a lot to catch up on,” Lara says, glancing my way, then placing a kiss on Dana’s lips.

“Ok, well let me go throw something decent on guys” Dana says, vanishing up stairs. Like she ever looks bad. That woman could wear a potatoes sack and still be the most radiant woman in the room.

I’m lost in my thoughts. “You good Al? Lara asked if we wanted anything to drink” Shane asks.

“Uhoh yeah yeah I’m good. Thanks though, Lara,” I put emphasis on the Lara.

Lara throws a jacket on, calling upstairs to Dana, “Alright babe, I’m off. I will see you later tonight. Love you.”

I roll my eyes turning to face the other direction and Shane who is sitting on the couch.  I stick my finger in my mouth, pretending to gag. She chuckles.

I faintly hear Dana reply, “Ok, yeah, me too, see you later.”

“Bye guys,” she states.

I turn about face, “Yep. Later it is.” I say with the most fake smile one could ever plaster across their face. I wave.

I collapse on the sofa next to Shane,”Jesus Christ, if she was any sweeter I think I would have gotten a cavity,”

She laughs, “Heyat least she has an uber important, last minute meeting with Kit.”

I look at her suspiciously, “You didn’t?” She smiles. “You got Kit involved in this *****?”

She throws her arms up, “Hey, she’s a hopeless romantic”

I suck my teeth, rolling my eyes. I have to admit; I didn’t realize anyone else cared.

Now there’s Dana entering the room. It’s like my world stops rotating when she comes onto the scene. As much as I want to tune her out, I can’t.

We stare at each other for what seems like an eternity, when Shane finally disrupts us, “So, we’re off then?”

Shane leads the ways as Dana and I clumsily follow. Making our way for the door at once, we bump into one another. Letting our hands linger for a second to long on each other’s skin. I sigh. Dana bits her lip,” Oh, you go first, Al.”

“No you can go first Dana.” I try to compose myself. I think I could literally feel the blood drain from my brain.

“No, really, I have to lock the door” She laughs, a smile plastered across her face. Her hair falls into her eyes.

“Oh yeah,” I chuckle

Shane, having witnessed the event, walks between us, throwing her arms over our shoulders, “What are we gonna do with you two?” She shakes her head, laughing.