“I just don’t get it. How do you people do this?”

Alice just shook her head, “Dane, you just try too hard.”

Dana shook her head and dropped it on the table. “No Al, it doesn’t matter how hard I try. I’m just never going to get laid… ever!”

I chuckled to myself. “Now come on, that’s a bit harsh on yourself. I’m sure a beautiful woman like you gets cruised all the time. You just have to go with the flow and let it happen.”

Dana looked up at me, “Cruised? Me? Yeah, right.”

“No, I mean it. I mean look at yourself. You’re gorgeous, fit, tan, you have an amazing smile. You just have to loosen up, it’s like Alice said, you don’t need to try too hard.”

Dana looked at me sceptically. “You think I’m gorgeous?”

I smiled at her, “Yeah, I do.”

Alice smiled, “So do I Dane.” Just then a girl walked past the table and glanced at the three of us, staring a little longer at Dana. “See Dane? You just got checked out.”

Dana looked at both Alice and I as if we were high. I merely shrugged and nodded in agreement. We quickly fell into conversation about women, til Alice steered the conversation towards the article she had written about the thrift stores. They started talking about shopping and other topics, the three of us falling into a comfortable banter. Comfortable. That’s what I remember about those early days with Alice, and even Dana. We just fell into this comfortable relationship with each other, and they quickly became two of my dearest friends.

After drinks were finished, Alice headed off to hand in her story, and Dana left for training. I figured I had stayed away long enough, and started back towards Bette’s to shower and get ready for my afternoon appointment. Maybe I’ll have a nice long swim…

I walked into an empty house. Thankful I didn’t interrupt a sweet goodbye, I pocketed the key and headed towards the kitchen to grab a banana. As I passed the table, I noticed another note left for me. Bette wished me a good morning, hope I didn’t get into too much trouble last night. She said she would be a bit late getting home since she had a late delivery coming to the gallery. The PS informed me that she would be wanting all the details of last night’s escapades. I chuckled, thinking of what she thought I got up to, and how close she probably would be.