I shrugged, “Never stopped me before.”

Alice looked a bit shocked, “Wait, you’re not 21 yet?”

I shook my head.

“Wow. Well, do you have a fake ID or something?”

“No, I just never had a problem getting into clubs is all.”

Alice smiled, “Well then it’s settled, we’ll party at Milk. Tina, you want to call people or should I?”

Tina opened up her phone, “I’ll let Bette and Kit know, why don’t you tell Dana and Marina?”

Suddenly all these plans were being made around me and I wasn’t feeling too comfortable about this. It was one thing to let Bette, even Tina in, and even to have chats with this Alice, but to suddenly be hanging in a group was a bit much. I never liked groups, didn’t do groups. As if sensing the change in my mood, Tina looked me over, and probably saw how stiff in my chair I had been getting. She leaned forward and tried to take my hand, which I pulled away and put in my lap.

“Shane, is there something else you would prefer to do? We are celebrating your job after all. I just thought it might be nice to meet some other people than myself and Bette. We have a little circle of friends, I’m sure they would all love to meet you. But its up to you.”

Alice watched this little exchange with curiosity in her eyes, and was looking at me as if trying to pick me apart. I forced myself to relax, “Nah, it’s cool. Let’s do Milk.”

The two of them finished calling people to plan the night, then Tina looked at her watch and jumped up, “Oh no, I’m going to be late if I don’t hurry. I have a meeting this afternoon. I will catch you two later.” She gathered her bag, downed the last of her drink, and rushed out of the café.

Alice and I just looked at each other. “Well, Shane, what are you doing the rest of this afternoon?”