Jason softened just a little as he watched Shane smile at the memory.

Relieved somewhat at the exchange, Tony continued, "So I said, I just couldn’t! I wouldn’t know what to do! And she said, ‘That’s easy, it’s always a good idea to bring the DJ a drink. So, she buys me two beers, hands them to me, and basically just pushes me towards you." Jason smiled fondly at the memory of their first awkward meeting. In his nervousness Tony had accidentally spilled some of the beer on him.

Carmen pulled away from Shane slightly and threw her a knowing look, "Well I guess that works every time, hmm?"

Shane blushed and smiled sheepishly back, "Pretty much, yeah." She winked at Carmen and pulled her back to her side.

Something about seeing Shane blush made something snap inside of Carmen. She suddenly wished her best friends would take their pizza to-go. When they first met, Shane always seemed so perfectly cool, unflappable. More and more lately she was getting to see other sides of Shane. She could be downright silly sometimes, endearingly sweet, and every once in a while, flustered. Something about seeing Shane lose her cool, if only for a moment, made Carmen want to throw her down on the couch and take her that minute.

Jason and Tony exchanged a look, their faces mirroring a look of awe. The heat coming from the two women across from them was suddenly palpable. Jason whispered in Tony’s ear, "Wow, I guess I should just drop it, huh? No amount of common sense is going to talk Carmen out of that."

Tony smiled, "I don’t think she should be talked out of anything. I’m telling you sweetie, Shane’s changed somehow, I can feel it."

Shane cursed Tony silently, she felt embarrassed somehow, she wasn’t sure why. Something about the way Carmen looked at her at times, just made her feel so exposed. Just as suddenly, something about the change in Carmen’s breathing made her awkwardness disappear. Everything about the circles Carmen’s hand were slowly tracing on Shane’s leg was making Shane feel out of control in a completely different way. She swallowed hard and looked up, willing Tony to make eye contact with her. She sent him her best pleading look.

Tony’s smile grew, the look on Shane’s face was priceless, she looked downright desperate. Tony leaned over to Jason and was just about to suggest a hasty exit when the doorbell rang.

Carmen jumped up suddenly, "Pizza’s here!"

"Thank God, I’m starving!" Jason exclaimed following her to the kitchen.

Tony caught Shane’s eye and mouthed an ‘I’m sorry.’

Shane sighed and downed the rest of her beer, "It’s cool man, come on, let’s eat."