Alice’s door buzzer startled her. The radio host had been up since 5:30am, anxious about an interview she’d scheduled for that day.

As of yet Alice had nothing outlined for her segment and no idea what she’d discuss with the eco-architect, beyond the obvious. She had met the woman at a fundraising dinner Helena hosted. Alice had flirted shamelessly with the architect and found herself inviting her to guest on ‘The Chart.’ The buzzer didn’t interrupt much in the way of progress.

“6:45am?” her eyebrows knit as she checked her watch. Why would anyone be coming by at this hour to see Alice? She was hardly celebrated for her early morning charm. Pressing the intercom she asked who was there.

“It’s me.” Dana admitted, fairly certain she wasn’t welcome.

Alice’s stomach dropped, annoying her. “Are you okay?” she asked the tennis player warily. She couldn’t think of one reason for Dana to be there, especially at that hour.

“Alice, can I just come up?” Dana asked quietly.

Alice pressed the release, letting Dana in. She silently exhaled and looked at herself in the mirror. She looked as exhausted as she feltminus the troubling flutter in her stomach.

Alice’s brain was waking as well. What the ***** was Dana doing coming over at this hour? What was Dana doing coming here at all? The two hadn’t spoken since an ill-conceived gathering at Shane and Jenny’s several weeks ago.

Shane had thought it would be easier, more relaxed because Dana and Lara had recently stopped seeing each other. She had hoped that Dana not dating the chef would make seeing her easier for Alice. It hadn’t. If anything, things were more strained with Dana and Alice than before.

A soft knock brought Alice back to the present. She opened her door giving Dana a wide berth. Neither woman said anything as they looked at each other across the threshold. Alice indicated her living room with a nod and followed her ex lover. “It’s early,” Alice commented finally. Dana said nothing. “Would you like some coffee?” Alice tried again, a small bit of concern emerging as she actually looked at Dana; she was soaking wet and shivering.

Despite herself Alice worried about the look on Dana’s face. She gently sat her down on the couch and went to get some coffee.