“Indiana Jones or Han Solo?”

“Han Solo.” said Shane, smiling at Tina’s pop culture references.

“East Coast or West Coast?”

“Definitely West Coast.”

“Car or truck?”

“Truck.”

“Blonde or Brunette?”

“Right now, blonde.” smiled Shane, hoping that Tina would take it as a compliment.

Pyjamas or naked?”

“Naked.” smirked Shane.

“Breasts or ass?” said Tina, taking more of an interest in Shane’s answers.

“Breasts.” replied Shane, thinking that this game was getting a lot more interesting.

“Love or sex?”

“Sex.” said Shane, not knowing what Tina would make of that.

“Really?” asked Tina, taken by surprise by Shane’s response.

“Yes. Is that OK?”

“It’s fine. I just didn’t expect you to say that.”

“Why?” asked Shane,

“Don’t you think that love is more important?”

“Maybe, but I thought the point of the game was for me to tell you which one of the two options I prefer.”

“It was, but I’m still surprised that you prefer sex to love.”

“I guess that the ultimate combination is to be having great sex with someone that you love. I’m not immune to that but I think that love is complicated. I’m just trying to keep things simple. I see nothing wrong in two consenting adults having sex and leaving it at that. Right now, that’s where I’m at. Of course, if the right woman came along, I could be persuaded otherwise.” said Shane, thinking that she didn’t want Tina to think that she had no feelings at all.

“I’m probably going to regret asking this question, but, what would you consider to be the right woman?”

“Someone who lets me breathe.”

Tina stayed silent for a moment after Shane spoke. Maybe they were finding out a lot more about each other than it first seemed. She wasn’t sure that she could understand how someone would shy away from being in love.

“I don’t think that there is a right answer.” said Shane, knowing that she had said something that was causing Tina some doubt.

“Sorry, do you think I’m judging you?” asked Tina, looking directly at Shane.

“No. I know that I don’t know you very well but I do know that we’re different people. You’re in a relationship where you’re practically living with that person. I’ve never even gotten close to that. I don’t think either one of those situations is wrong. They are just what they are.”

“You’re right. I’m still surprised though.”

“Don’t be. We’ve barely know each other, and, even though I would like to get you more I know that there will be things about you that I don’t fully understand and will get surprised by. I think that’s OK.”

“Yeah, me too.” replied Tina, glad that the slight tension between the two of them had seemed to have eased.

“Call me to let me know what time you’ll be here tomorrow and I’ll see if I can get myself here.” said Shane, getting out of her chair.

“You’re leaving already?” asked Tina, surprising herself by how much she wanted Shane to stay.

“I have a job. I wouldn’t be good to be late in my first week.”

“But it’s late.” said Tina, looking at her watch.

“The salon opens late. It catches clients on their way home from work. It’s just one of those things.”

“OK, well don’t forget about tomorrow. You should definitely come down and meet some people.”

“I’ll think about it.” replied Shane, over her shoulder as she walked towards the door.

Tina shook her head as she watched Shane leave. She knew there was something wrong in the way that she felt right now. She didn’t know what it was but she knew that she had to find out how to shake the feeling off or she could find herself in big trouble.