I pull my shades over my eyes hoping that would hide me.

“Hey, Porter!”

She turns first looking at Alice waving at me.

“Shes calling you.”

“Uh… yeah…”

“Cmon. Introduce me,” she says tugging at my hand.

I look over my shades at her. Her eyes beg me to walk over to the table.

Shes close on my heels as I maneuver over to the table.

“Hey guys,” I wave.

Alice hugs me.

“Introduce me,” she whispers in my ear.

“Guys… this is Grace Rickard. Grace, these are my good friends… Dana, Shane and Alice.”

A chorus of hellos were said.

“So youre the reason our good friend Bette has been MIA,” Alice jokes.

“Not entirely. Ive tried to get her to go out but she doesnt want to leave the house,” she smiles.

“Really? Ive never known Bette to be a homebody before.”

“Yeah, why you two come out with us to Milk tonight,” Shane suggest.

“I dont know… I have…”

“You have nothing to do, sweetie. I think we could make it,” Grace answers.

“I think your woman has spoken,” Alice teases.

I squint my eyes at the term my woman.

“So I guess well see you two tonight. Around ten okay for you two?” Alice asks.

“Ten it is,” Grace answers before I can.

“Uh… we got to go. Our order is ready,” I say wanting to escape the eyes of the three of them.

I pull Grace behind me and toward the counter picking up our bag.

*****

Its been six months since Ive went out to a club. I stopped going after I realized I couldnt fill the emptiness of Tinas love being gone. I dont want to go tonight but Grace is so excited about leaving the house, I cant spoil that for her.

I sit on the bed pulling on my high heeled boots. Grace glides in the room and stands in front of the mirror looking beautiful. Her hair falling perfectly on her shoulders hiding the spaghetti straps of her navy blue camisole. It matches brilliantly with her tight leather skirt. I watch her legs flex as she balances slipping one heel on after the other. I lick my lips just thinking of her leg nudging between mine on the dance floor later tonight.