Dana came in alone. She leaned over the countered and told Kit what she wanted, then scanned The Planet for her friends, she saw them and waved. Shane and Carmen giggled and barely noticed her, Jenny was reading and Alice averted her gaze. Dana’s face dropped at this and Shane noticed, smiling and telling Carmen that it was going to work. She smiled. She knew it would.

Jenny looked up and smiled at Dana, then slapped her forehead and recited her lines perfectly. “Oh my gosh. I left my laptop at the diner last night,” Alice looked shocked.

“I’ll take you Jen. Since Shane and I both drove and these two haven’t gotten their ‘Cheerio’s‘ yet,” Shane smiled at this and hugged Carmen a little tighter, seeing the emotions playing across Dana clearly. She was disappointed that Alice was leaving, also sad that Alice wasn’t paying attention to her presence. But not upset as a friend would be, upset as a broken-hearted lover would be.

“That would be awesome Al. Are you sure?”

“Totally sure. I guess I’ll see you guys later. Bye love birds, try not to make anybody chuck their breakfast. It might be to early for all that cuteness” Alice snapped sarcastically but playfully and picked up her stuff, when she stood back up her eyes caught Dana’s. “Bye Dana, it’s nice to see you.”

Dana looked like someone knocked the wind out of her and smiled helplessly. “Bye Alice,” she whispered.

Carmen waited for a few minutes as Dana sat down and got comfortable, she was far away, obviously thinking about Alice. Carmen kissed Shane deeply and lovingly then hopped up. “I’m gunna go check on our Cheerio’s baby,” Carmen said. Her fingers still intertwined with Shane’s as she stood and started walking away.

They let go at the very last second possible and Shane whispered a happy, “Okay.” All the while watching Dana out of the corner of her eye, who was seriously bumming at their interaction. A whispered of jealously or want in her eyes. Maybe both.

After Carmen left Shane cleared her throat and turned directly to Dana. Dana sighed, knowing Shane was looking at her and knowing the talk that was coming.