“Why, thanks Alice. I’ll let my sister know about our little sleepover. That is, if the offer still stands, and if it’s perfectly fine with the host.” Carmen smiled at Shane.

7:47pm @ The Planet

Even before the party started, Joe had already reserved the gang’s table for them. He had a couple of candles put up as well. The Planet had a mellow theme that night – there wasn’t much of a raucous unlike the typical party set-up.

As Shane was mediating between Jenny and Moira, Alice and Dana entered the bar and went straight to their table. Dana gave Shane a weird look, and Shane returned it with an equally confused face, shrugging her shoulders, wondering why she even bothered playing bridge.

Joe approached the table and gave them a round of beer. “Here you go girls, go easy on the beer now. If I didn’t know you, I wouldn’t be doing this.”

“Thanks, Joe.” Dana said before the bartender he disappeared into the thick crowd.

“I think you guys better settle this yourselves. The dance floor still has some space for you.” Shane was telling both Moira and Jenny.

Moira stood up and offered her hand to Jenny. “Yeah, Shane. You’re right. Jenny?”

“I don’t need your help to get up, Moira.” Jenny retorted.

“For the thousandth time, Jenny; it’s Max, all right? Call me Max.” Jenny gave in and even led Moira/Max to the dance floor so they could settle their complicated issues.

“There was absolutely nothing I said that made sense with those two. Why did I even take the trouble of caring?” Shane slumped into her seat, and breathed out heavily for a couple of times before taking hold of her beer. “What’s wrong with you? You watching out for someone? You’ve been looking around since you got here, Dana.”

“I actually am meeting someone at 8, Shane.” Dana put on a big smile. “I got a date with Lara tonight. She said it wasn’t a date, but it sounds like one to me. That has got to be an improvement even so.”

“No shit.” Shane and Alice chorused. Shane added with, “That’s great, Dane! That’s awesome.”