While everyone waited anxiously for Lara to appear Alice was in a complete fog. Looking at the teleprompter again she hoped it was typo but there it was “Lara Perkins” her name written at the bottom of the screen. Her name appeared to glow brighter than a neon light flashing! She hadn’t realized the mouth wide open expression on her face. To make matters worse the inside of her palms began to sweat, her heart slammed repeatedly against her chest, and for the first time in a long time she was at a loss for words. As she remained seated while her co-host greeted Lara immediately she regretted not looking at the interview questions like she was asked to do.

Amanda: [walking back to the table] Please come and have a seat. [Hearing them walk towards the table Alice remained seated with her back turned]

This cannot be happening right now, she silently thought to herself. To make matters worse there was only one seat available and that was next to hers. As the footsteps got closer she wished she could close her eyes tap her heels three times and disappear. Out of her peripheral she could see the chair move slowly away from the table. Inhaling as much air as her lungs would allow she held her breath when it felt like she would burst she quickly exhaled. Text, phone calls, movies, a trip to Catalina, Netflix and chilling, a shared kiss, she was in fact the side chick in this messy equation.

Sam: [taking her seat] Uh, Lara this is the main host—–. [Alice turns to face her]

Alice: [extending her hand] Alice Pieszecki welcome. [similar to Alice reaction Lara could feel the color drain from her face however, she did a much better job of concealing her shock than she did.]

Lara: [extending her arm she shakes her hand] Nice to met you.

Shaking hands staring into each others eyes it was as if time stood still. It had been over ten years since they seen each other for them both it was bittersweet. Although, it had been years ago staring at Lara she saw her nothing more than the woman Dana choose to be with over her. For, Lara she could see the same hurt, pain, and resentment that remained and never healed.

Lara (silently thinks to herself): My manger is so fired!

Alice: (silently thinks to herself): The staff, parking valet, the guy that cuts my grass, AT&T, the security gate officer, the inventor of Algebra, my mom-ager, ALL FUCKING FIRED!

Shanes House…..

Shane: Uh, Dane? [she yells]

Dana: [in the kitchen] Yeah?

Shane: I think you should come and sit down.

Dana: [carrying two plates in her hand placing them down on the coffee table] Brunch is served.

Shane: [clearing her throat] So what do you do when you’re riding a horse full speed and there’s a giraffe next to you and a lion chasing you?

Dana: [grabbing a strip of bacon from her plate] Get your drunk ass off the carousel.

Shane: Nope, you turn on the tv.

Dana: [reaching for her mimosa] Turn on the tv that doesn’t make any—–. [finally looking up at the tv she spits out her drink] WHAT THE FUCK!!!!????????

Shane: Did you know about this!?

Dana: [seeing Lara and Alice on tv together she could have sworn she was having a heart attack] NO! NO! OF COURSE NOT! HELL NO!!!!!!!!! HOW THE FUCK DID THIS HAPPEN!?

Shane: I don’t know!

Dana: [in a panicked tone] SHIT!!!!!!!!

Shane: Dane, listen to me maybe neither of them knew!

Dana: HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE ITS ALICE’S SHOW!? WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

Shane: [not knowing what else to do or say reaches behind the couch and pours Vodka into her drink]

Dana: MY GIRLFRIEND AND EX-GIRLFRIEND ARE SITTING TOGETHER ON NATIONAL TV!!!!!!!!!

Shane: So, whose who?

Dana: [shot her an angered look]

Shane: Sorry, to soon.

Dana: [holding her stomach] I think I’m about to be sick! [she says before running towards the bathroom]

Shane: Dane, listen everything is going to be okay [she says while grabbing her phone] whatever you need I’m here for you! [she says while hitting the send button on the group text]

With the exception of Tasha in a matter of minutes Bette, Helena, Kit, and Tina after checking their messages ran to the nearest tv near them.

Shane: [leaning her head back on the couch] Yeah, were all fucked.

TBC