Dana leaned on her hands that were between the door and her lower back.  “When I see you, I feel something, too.”

“Yeah, but you love Alice.”

“I totally love her.”

“Dana, I’ve wanted to keep you in my life.  Making the meal plan was one way to do it, but it hurts me to see you with Alice.  You’re out and seem happy.”

“I am happy with her.  Usually.”

“What do you mean?”

“She smothers me, Lara.  You didn’t do that.  I was free to be me, but Alice wants me to complete her or something.  I can’t do that.”

“But you love her?”

“She’s my best friend.”

“But is she the person you want as your lover?”  Lara had moved closer and they were standing close, but not too close to accidentally lose themselves in something they weren’t prepared to see through. 

“When I’m with her, yes.  But I think you and I need closure.  I screamed at you, walked out on you, and it just hasn’t been, you know, resolved.”

“So are you saying that we just talk it all out and then really say goodbye?” Lara asked.

“No.  I don’t know.”  Dana stepped away, walked to one of the prep tables in the kitchen, and leaned on it.  “When I’m with Alice and we’re getting along, it’s really good.  We’re good together.”

“You know, Dana.  You’re already there with Alice.  Why don’t you try to make it work?”  Lara understood the situation and was resigned to the outcome.

“What about you?  What do I do about how I feel about you?”  Dana breathed in, and tilted her head up to stare at the ceiling.  “What do I do about this?”  She lowered her gaze and turned to Lara with fear and more than a hint of longing. 

* * * * *

Helena sat on the lanai of her beach house.  She had just grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders.  The orange sarong and cropped T-shirt she had changed into hours ago provided no warmth. 

Helena was alone looking out at the Pacific.  Her legs were tucked up under her rear end in the comfy Gloster Plantation deep seating rocker.  Sipping a glass of Krug Grande Cuvée, Helena considered her latest acquisition.  Shaolin Film Studios was an exciting new project for her.  Her mother had never involved herself in something so contemporary.  The young woman had no idea what kind of films she’d produce, but she was going to take the film industry by storm.  She’d make a name for herself and her studio.  The sound of the ocean moving in waves all around her served as background noise, as Helena daydreamed about walking the red carpet on Oscar night, sitting in the Kodak Theatre, hearing Morgan Freeman or Nicole Kidman announce the winner of Best Film of the Year, a Shaolin Film Studios production.  She saw herself popping up from her seat, kissing the person next to her, smiling happily, making her way down the aisle, up the steps, and grasping the Oscar with both hands as Producer of the winning movie.  It was thrilling just thinking about it.  Helena took another sip of wine, recognized the faint taste of honey and nuts, allowed it to slowly slide down her throat.  She thought about Oscar night again and the person who’d sit next to her, the woman who’d give her a congratulatory kiss and she saw no one.  There was no one who cared about her.  Sure, she could find someone to attend with her, but it wouldn’t be someone she wanted to share that special kiss with in front of several million people in the world.  No, there was no one.