Not quietly enough because Harper looks at her with a smile when she hears it. Alice covers her eyes, slightly embarrassed.

“LAST CALL!!!!” The bartender yells out ringing a bell, breaking the magic of the moment.

“Would you like anything else?” Harper asks.

“Mmm hmm.” Alice says in her dreamy state. She sees Harper looking at her as if waiting for an answer then realizes she didn’t mean *****. She meant to drink. “Oh um… a bottle of water would be great!” Alice says snapping out of her trance.

Harper flags down the bartender and orders two bottles of water.

Alice places her hand on Harper’s back. “You are quite a kisser.”

Harper turns to face her. “You aren’t so bad yourself.” She smiles.

The bartender returns depositing the water bottles in front of them. Harper lays money on the bar ignoring her, unable to take her eyes off of the dazzling blonde.

“Do you wanna maybe come back to my place?” Alice says much to her own surprise.

“I would love to.” Harper says.

******

A cell phone comes alive on the floor near the bed. The sound wakes up Harper and Alice.

“Your pants are ringing.” Alice says in her sleepy haze as she cuddles closer to Harper.

Harper lays still for a moment, eyes slowly opening, thoughts slowly collecting. She hadn’t meant to fall asleep and stay all night.

“What time is it?” Harper’s low raspy morning voice asks.

Alice lifts her head to look and then goes back to her cuddling. “8:45.”

“*****.” Harper says quietly. She rubs the sleep from her eyes and sits up in bed. Her eyes find the clock on Alice’s night table. “I gotta go.” Harper says not believing she slept so late.

Alice opens her eyes now fully aware that this beautiful woman is going to make a mad dash for the front door.

Harper swings her legs off the bed, planting her feet on the floor. She bends down and begins collecting her clothing. “I’m really sorry, I had no idea it was so late.”

“It’s ok.” Alice tries her best to sound unphased. “You can take a shower if you want.”

“I wish I could but I have got to get to work.” Harper says fastening her bra.

Alice watches the muscles in her back work as she moves into her clothing.

Harper stands up and searches for her boots. She finds them at the foot of the bed. As she shoves her feet in she looks at Alice and smiles.

“What?” Alice says not knowing what to make of the look Harper is giving her.

“You look very pretty when you wake up.” Harper smiles and leans in to kiss Alice’s exposed calf.

Alice feels a slight blush heat her cheeks. “Thank you.”

Harper makes her way to Alice, giving her a quick kiss on the lips. “I had an amazing time Alice. Thank you.”

“Yeah, me too.” Alice says.

Harper makes her way to the bedroom door. “I’ll call you!”

“You don’t have my number.” Alice says.

“Oh *****! That’s right.” Harper is feeling the pressure of time. “Uh… meet me at Milk on Thursday? 10 o’clock?”

“Yeah, ok.” Alice says with a smile. Not exactly what she hoped for but maybe it could work.

“Ok.” Harper says with a smile as she backs out the door.

Alice hears the front door shut and she feels confused and a little disappointed. She leans back into her pillows, “That went well.” She says.

The moment the door closes behind Harper she begins to feel guilty. “Good going Harper.”

She finds her car and immediately searches for a pen. She writes on her hand, “TH. MILK 10″ with every intention of being there.

***

Later that day over coffee at the Planet Alice confesses her roll in the hay to Shane.

“Your secret is safe with me.” Shane says with her usual smirk.

“Dana cannot find out!” Alice cringes at the mere idea.

“Come on Al, you know whatever you say to me goes no further.” Shane needlessly reminds her that she is not a gossip.

“I know.” Alice sighs into her coffee cup.

“So I’m guessing last night didn’t cure you of your desire for Dana.”

“Hardly. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it was totally hot and all. But yeah, my heart… my heart is focused on my best friend.” Alice’s eyes are full of sadness.

***