Lara and Paige lean in towards each other and share in a kiss.

Paige: Good night.

Lara: Good night.

Paige departs, unable to wipe away her grin as Lara opens the door and enters.  She sees Carmen relaxing on the couch, drinking a beer.

Carmen: Hey you.

Lara closes the door behind her as she enters the house.

Lara: See, I told you I’d come back tonight.

Carmen laughs.

Carmen: Yeah…you did.

Lara: So…how are you?

Carmen finishes off what’s left of the beer.

Carmen: I’m good.  Have a seat.

Lara makes her way to the couch, taking a seat beside Carmen who places her right arm around her friend’s shoulders.

Carmen: Alright…now tell me how it went.

Lara: Me and Paige?

Carmen nods.

Carmen: You two look way too adorable together.  It’s totally unfair.

Lara bites her as she smiles.

Lara: It was great.  It’s like…everything we do or say…it just fits.  It’s been a really long since I’ve felt this.  It almost frightens me at times, you know?

Carmen: Yeah…I know the feeling.

Lara: It’s like I keep asking myself, is this really happening?  How can I be this lucky?

Carmen: You’re not the lucky one, Lara.  …Paige is.  Paige hit the jackpot with you.  And she’d be a fool to think otherwise.

Lara looks down for a second as Carmen looks at her.

Lara: Um…you said Papi was trying to hook you up with her friend?

Carmen: Tasha?  Yeah, she’s pretty cool, but…it just isn’t there.  I mean, we hang out, have some beers, bullshit a little, but…I dunno, I just don’t feel it.  I don’t think she does, either.

Lara: I’m sorry.

Carmen: Why?

Lara looks at Carmen.

Lara: Because…you deserve to be happy, too.  I feel kind of bad, at times…here I am, I’ve got this…beautiful woman and everything just seems to be working fine, but then I see you and…I know how much of a romantic you are.  And…it just doesn’t seem fair.

Carmen: Lara, no.  Don’t get yourself into that way of thinking.  If anyone deserves to be with someone special, it’s you.  And I like Paige.  I think she’s sweet, almost as much as you.  And…if she fucks up, I’ll have to kick her ass.

Carmen flashes a wide grin as Lara rolls her eyes, laughing.