Shane was jolted out of her thoughts by Carmens hand snaking around her neck. Its okay, you dont have to.

But I want to. I want to, I really do, Shane hesitated, the coiling in her stomach increasing.

Shane, I dont care. The best thing about the past is that its over. Carmen smiled up at her. The wind was blowing through her hair and Shane caught the fly-aways, and pushed them behind her ear.

I never lived with my mom, I only met her once. When I was sixteen, my father kicked me out on the street. It was to expensive to feed me what with all the unemployment check going to drugs, I worked odd jobs, did what I could, but it wasnt enough. I met a couple guys who introduced me to the wild and wacky world of ***** work, the sarcasm dripping from her voice masking the fear she really felt. When Carmens face didnt change she continued. I made good money, just hand jobs, I probably jerked off half of West Hollywood. After about two years I had a pretty good savings, then I got introduced to the wild and wacky world of hair, which brought me here. She stopped and waited for Carmen to say something. Her face hadnt changed but she remained silent. The silence was causing the knots to coil tighter and tighter in her stomach.

Ive been tested. Im clean. I wouldnt I wouldnt do that to you. To anyone, Shane said gauging the other girls reaction. When she still saw nothing she began pulling away from Carmen. Im sorry. Im sorry.

She had almost completely pulled away when the hand that was still around her neck tightened and Carmens other hand grabbed her shoulder. Dont walk away from me. Shane was surprised by her strength. Carmen looked up at her with an intensity that would have caused anyone else to look away. You didnt do anything wrong. Do you believe that?

Shane shook her head.

Well then have you forgiven yourself, Carmen asked her gaze never wavering. Shane nodded and Carmen could see that it was true. She balled her hand into a fist and struck Shane in the shoulder.

Ow. Shane grabbed her arm.

Well then suck it up and smile like you mean it, cause no one deserves to be as sad as you are, Carmen repeated smiling a big smile up at Shane. With that she pulled Shanes mouth down to meet hers. She swept her tongue into Shanes mouth and pulled her farther down into the kiss. Shane moaned into Carmen mouth and returned the kiss with as much passion as she had. She smiled against Carmen as she felt the knots in her stomach shatter. Shane broke the kiss and took Carmen by the hand.

Come on, she began pulling Carmen to her truck.

Where are we going, Carmen asked a glint in her eye.

If you have to ask youre in for a very pleasant surprise, Shane replied, catching another quick kiss. Before Shane could get in the car Carmen stopped her.

Im sorry about what happened to you, she said pressing Shane against the door of her truck.

Im not, because it got me she pushed her hips against Carmens making the other girl shiver. here. She leaned down and captured Carmens lips.

I do really have to talk to Alice about publishing other peoples news though, Shane said when she broke the kiss. Climbing in the car she started the engine and headed back to her new house.

Oh, that reminds me. She also said something about someone named Tina being pregnant, Carmen replied looking bewildered at the smile on Shanes face.

I already knew, Alice is a bit slow on the uptake. In fact everyone is a bit slow on that uptake.

Fin