“I should go after her…explain. Will you be alright here?”

“You want me to go with you?”

“No this is something that I think that I should handle on my own.” I say as I grab my keys and head toward the door. It is only when I am sitting in my car that I realize how little I actually know about You. Frustration grips me for a moment as I sift through the limited knowledge of your life. I know all of your friends, but have no idea which one you would turn toward right now. Then there’s the fact that you have become somewhat of a loner lately and I wonder if you would go to any of them at all. I have all of their numbers, but I don’t want to worry any of them if I’m wrong. I glare down at my cell as if it will start talking any minute. And then it hits me…

Dana hangs up the phone and looks worried for a second before she looks up and smiles at me. “You okay?” I ask as I hand her a glass and rejoin her on my well worn couch.

“Umm…Lara.” I can see the conflict on Dana’s face and I know that she is nervous. “I really…I’m really sorry…I have to go.” She finally blurts out. I feel my eyebrows raise in question. A rare burst of insecurity pulses through me and I wonder at this woman’s power to cause such feelings. It is only our second date, but then again I have never been taken in by a woman as quickly or completely as Dana has captured me.

“Is something wrong?” I move away from her slightly, trying not to let my nervousness show.

“No, no, god no.” Dana answers quickly and ends by touching her hand lightly onto mine. “It’s my friend.” Her hand closes gently around mine and I look up into her blue eyes and see the sincerity in them as she tries to explain. “She just broke up with someone who was really horrible to her and she needs me for a while. I just…She would do it for me and I love her and I worry about her so I think that I should go…I don’t really want to, but.” Dana shifts her gaze to our hands and quickly takes her words back. “I mean I want to go and help my friend. I just I don’t want you to be disappointed…I don’t’ want you to think that I’m blowing you off or anything.”

Dana finishes her explanation, but doesn’t look back up. Her hand is still warm against mine and I think again how adorable Dana is when she’s anxious. I shake my head and smile at the sudden sap that I have become since meeting Dana, and turn my hand over in hers so that I can squeeze it gently. “It’s fine, Dana. I understand.” She looks relieved when I smile at her.

“Thank you.” She says shyly.

“Well you’re welcome. But now you owe me another date.” I say playfully, keeping her fingers tangled in mine. She smiles at me again and I am unable to prevent myself from leaning forward and kissing her sweetly before I finally let her go…

Dana was your best friend. You would have called her, or driven over to her house. I start up my car and squeal my tires as I step on the gas. Suddenly I know exactly where you are…