Dana walks over to the sink to wash her hands.  Alice stands, looking on in admiration.  It is one of the little things she has discovered to be a turn-on when it comes to Dana.  Dana finishes washing her hands in the sink and dries off.  She is suddenly still as Alice continues looking on.

Dana ”…I’m scared, Alice.”

Alice sighs.

Dana ”I’m scared of a lot of things right now.  I’m scared that I’m gonna get bad news.  I’m scared that I’m gonna frighten Lara.  I’m scared I’m gonna lose her.”

Alice ”You’re not gonna lose Lara.”

Dana ”I thought I wouldn’t lose you, either.”

Dana turns slowly toward Alice.  The two are closer, face to face.

Alice ”Baby, I’m right here.  I know I’ve been away, but…I’m here.  I’m right here.”

Dana is shaking.

Dana ”I miss you.”

Alice ”I miss you, too.”

They close their eyes and lean in.  Neither want to witness what it is they are feeling.  The lips connect into a kiss, which feels like it could last forever.  Both open their eyes and stop, their tongues still together.  Slowly, the tongues retract back into their own mouths.  Both feel the same lump in their throat.  Both feel the urgent panic within them.  Dana begins to breathe heavy, determined to regain her composure as she turns away from Alice toward the bathroom exit.  She leaves Alice to herself in the bathroom.

Back at the table, the plates have been taken.  Lara sees Dana return with Carmen looking on.

Lara ”Everything okay?”

Dana ”Yeah.  Fine.  Just uhh…bumped into Alice in the bathroom.  Wound up talking for a few.  Didn’t mean to worry you.”

Lara reaches out with her right hand, now clutching Dana’s left.

Lara ”It’s okay.  As long as you’re okay.”

Dana ”I’m fine.”

Lara ”And Alice is okay?”

Dana ”Yeah, yeah she’s good.”

Alice returns from the bathroom.  She sees Mark and leans towards his left ear.

Alice ”So um…about that go out and get drunk thing…I think I’d be up for that.”

Mark ”Sure, when?”

Alice ”Now?”

Mark looks at Alice.  He thinks back to his conversation with Alice earlier in the evening before arriving at Tile.  He glances over at Dana and Lara, seeing Dana looking away.  He sees Lara looking elsewhere.