“No problem, it was nice meeting you all” she replied “Thanks for coming, couldn’t have faced it by myself”

“Certainly was a busy night” said Bette “Quite a few well known faces there”

“Yeah and all getting to retire to suites in the hotel rather than take cab journeys home,” said Shane tiredly

“Cab rides are all part of the fun” said Lena with a grin

The driver came to a halt as they pulled up to Alice’s apartment building.  She and Dana made their exit, Alice handed Shane some cab fare, as they bid their goodbyes to the others.

“Lena we’re having some of the girls over next week one night for a few drinks and such,” said Bette as the cab pulled off once more “Your welcome to come over”

“That would be nice thanks Bette,” replied Lena with a warm smile and a nod of agreement

“Great, I’ll get Shane to call you when we arrange which night”

“Oh there’s a thought” said Lena and opened her bag, pulling out a few items. 

Setting her purse back down, she wrote on the back of one of the business cards she’d happened to acquire throughout the evening, one which she wouldn’t have been following up.  She handed the card to Shane

“My cell number”

The cab pulled round the corner and parked outside Lena’s building.  She waited for Shane to exit the cab, making way for her and said goodbye to Tina and Bette before getting out of the cab herself.

“I’ll be right back” said Shane to the two and closed the cab door, following Lena as she made her way up the steps, throwing her wrap about her shoulders as she searched her purse for keys.

“Lena” said Shane, stepping up behind her. 

Lena turned midway up the steps and smiled

“I’d invite you in” she started, unsure as to how to end the sentence.  She had been tempted to ask, but something was telling her it wasn’t the right time to be pursuing such intentions. “I just don’t think it’s that good an idea at the moment”

She smiled apologetically, feeling relieved that she was confident enough around Shane to be at least honest despite only knowing each other for a short time.