I put my hand over her fingers and she looks up. “It’s okay, I like that your not a coffee snob.” My heart swells with satisfaction when Dana’s smile widens and I get lost in her eyes for a moment before a voice breaks into our solitude.

“Okay, eew, enough with the gazing, you two, this is a public establishment.”

“Yeah there’s laws against this level of cuteness.” I smile at Dana one more time before I look up at three of her friends and I know immediately which one is Alice. Because even though they all look amused at the fact that they can make her blush, the blonde woman with the messy hair is the only one who is currently sizing me up. Dana pulls her hands back and the three women sit down around the table, waving at Marina to let her know that they are there. Dana introduces us in her usual nervous manner, saving Alice for last. We smile at each other quietly and both Dana and I sense Alice’s acceptance. I watch as the four woman chatter and catch up, and even though I rarely enter the conversation, I never feel left out. I laugh at something that Alice says and am suddenly aware of Dana’s hand finding mine under the table. I lace my fingers comfortably with hers and smile, knowing that I am falling in love with Dana Fairbanks…

My mind reels as it is sent back to that moment. I don’t know whether to think about falling in love with Dana, or meeting Alice for the first time. My jaw clenches as I make the coffee, trying to ignore the conflict raging in my head. I have been at war with myself ever since last night trying to decide what to do. Part of me wants to tell you that I can’t see you again, and the other part of me desperately wants to help you. But no matter what I decide I know that we can’t keep going like this, it isn’t good for either of us.

I feel a surge of anger at Dana for leaving us like this and I clench my hand into a fist at my side. A moment later and tears of guilt are threatening to spill from my eyes. I relax my hand and take a deep breath, trying my best to get my mood swing under control. I loved Dana, there should be no reason to be angry at her. I finish making Alice’s coffee order and take a second to collect myself before turning back toward her table. I have decided that now is as good a time as any to for the two of us to talk…