I laugh at her. She’s so damn cute when she can’t find the words she wants.

“What? What’s funny?” She sighs, “Maybe this wasn’t such a good ideaI mean maybe we aren’t ready for this.”

“Hey, heycool you’re jets.” I obviously offended her, “I was just laughing becausebecause you’re so damn cute when you get tongue tied.”

It’s her turn to blush now. “Oh I see.” She brushes loose strains of hair behind her ear. “I just, I enjoy being with you Al. It’s been so long and I justI dunnoI feel”

“Lost.”

She looks deep into my eyes, not that we need the words but she says, “Yeahthat’s exactly how I would explain it.”

Here I’m sitting in front of Dana. I mean, its just Dane, who was by best friend for years, and I’m at a complete lose.

“What are we doing, Dana?” I cut to the chase.

“What do you mean, Al? We’re having lunch”

I roll my eyes, “Dana, you know what I’m talking about. Thisme and youwhat are we doing?”

She lightly throws her hands into the air, ” I really have no idea. I meana week ago I didn’t even know when the next time I would see you would be and today we are having lunch.”

” I see.” I don’t really know how to take that. Is she disappointed? Or does that mean she wanted to see me, but couldn’t. I shift my eyes to the table, fumbling with my napkin.

“Hey,” she reaches across the table, covering my hands with her own. The touch is electric. I feel it vibrate through my body. “Its just that my life has been throwing so many curve balls at me lately. Some have been bad and otherswell others have been really, really good, Al.” She squeezes my hand.

I smile, lifting my head to meet her eyes. She smiles. Just then our waiter has returned with our food. We break our grasp and concentration.

I push my plate aside, “Where do we go from here, Dana?”

She finds my hand again, ” I don’t know.”

“Ok, well where do you want it to go?” I ask. I know I am probably setting myself up for heartbreak but I have to know.