Alice walked into the restaurant, she felt so guilty. She really meant to be early, she even left her office 15 minutes earlier, because knowing her luck on the road, she would be held up. Perfect. Last week she didnt manage to meet up with tina for lunch because the editor wanted to have stupid meetings. Meetings which she never bothered to listen to. Those suit wearing professionals, BOR-RING! Damn! She couldnt read tinas expression, but she hope she wasnt pissed.

Im so, so, sooooo sorry Im late tina. Really I am. Anyway, here I am! she plonked herself into the seat, clearly exhausted from all that thinking and deciphering of tinas emotions.

Tina just waved the punctuality matter off. Bette had warned her about it. Alice was either really early, so early she would wander off and be back late, or just, well, late as usual.

So, erm, alice, what would you like? tina was so nervous she had to keep her hands on her lap, to prevent alice from knowing that they were shaking.

Like? I would like to know all about you, and Im sure youre curious about me too, aint that right? What alice said had really caught tina offguard. So she was willing to be open. Tina was going to dig up the truth of that night from her, and well, mayb iscover some stuff about bette as well. Within the first minute, alice had managed to win her over with such a genuine smile, tina felt right at home.

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Dana sat by the phone, contemplating if she should call and ask for an address. What would the person think? Oh, she wouldnt have to leave her name behind, would she? If not she would be highly embarrassed. Maybe she would just use a fake name. yea, she should do that. Gathering up her courage, she picked up the phone and punched in the numbers.

Hello, is this.. she couldnt utter the name outloud, she felt sooooo awkward.

Yes, this is ***** N Gadgets, Ivy speaking, may I help you miss?

erm..yeaI wanted to know, do you have *****? Oh, right, the name of the place. I meant, how do I know whats good, and, erm, whats not? Can I make a private appointment to see you? Erm.

we dont do private. Its a store honey. We just sell stuff, and advise you. So drop by, pass me your fax number and Ill fax over the map, ok?

Thanks. Ill ersee you soon. Phew, that was a relief. So it seemed normal for people to call and ask about such things.

OH *****! She slapped her hand to her head! She had just given ivy the fax number to her managers office! GODDAMNIT FAIRBANKS! Stupid me. Stupid me. Grabbing her keys, she sped out of the door and onto the road. I got to get there before he does.

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So youre telling me that you and bette have nothing going on right now? I mean, Im not trying to be the psycho girlfriend here, but if you love her, I dont want to act as some rebound or tool to get you jealous.

Alice shook her head. God, tina would have been right if she had said that a week ago. But not today. no way tina. If I were jealous, why would I be chatting with you now? Anyway, the truth? Yes, I was insanely jealous t first, but that night, I came to realize, you know, you two make for a cute couple. If you ever get married, please make me the organizer! I would do it willingly. I can just picture it right nowwhite lilies lining the

Ok, thats a little too farfetched for me alice. But thanks, Ill be sure to keep you in mind. Anyway, I would just like to add in a potential awkward moment here. Tina was afraid to continue. She was afraid that Alice wouldnt feel the same way about this.

Staring at her curiously, Alice couldnt stand the silence. Ok! Spill it blondie! Tell me, what is it?

Well, I was really afraid of you up until this lunch (Alice raised her eyebrows in amusement, putting her hand to her chest.), but Ive come to realize why Bette had fallen in love with you before. Youre sofun-loving, caring, concerned, I dont know if anyones ever told you this before, but, its a joy being in your company, and I cant begin to describe it. Well, was that weird, hearing that from the current girlfriend of your ex-girlfriends mouth? Tina played around with the cherry on her plate, leftover from her dessert.

Looking her in the eye with a serious face on, alice sat up straight. Oh *****, Tina thought, shes pissed. Boy was she wrong. Raising her tea cup, with little pinky in the air, Alice whispered, I would like to make a toast to my newfound friend, Tina Kennard, the love of Bettes life, and my future partner-in-crime for, well, anything special, ok? Remember, if you do need anything, or if Bettes so self-absorbed, you can always come to me! Ill slap some sense into her!

Tina couldnt believe that Alice had just accepted her, officially, as a friend. And had even called her the love of Bettes life. She felt tears welling up in her eyes, tears of happiness. Oh, silly her, crying at every moment. But bette was right, alice was one of a kind.

Seeing the wetness in her eyes, alice knew then that tina might eventually turn out to be a better friend than bette. But alice would be loyal to them both. A toast to new friendship. And a new kind of love. Something Shane had taught her.

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Sprinting down the hallway, Dana reached Conrads office, in time to hear him say, Yes, Ive received it, ok, Ill be there in about 15-20 minutes, no qualms about it.

*****. Boy was that man going to be in for a surprise. Dana hid, as Conrad left the building, she got into her range rover and followed closely behind.

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So, erm, tell me about Dana and Shane, how are they? Tina tried to veer away from the topic Alice had chosen, which well, was getting too personal.

Alice looked amused at Tinas question. well, their fine, absolutely fabulous. Oh, we all have to go to Milk together one day, all 5 of us, we would be like, a funky girl band without the music! You mean Bette never brought you to Milk before? Unbelievable!!! Thats it, this weekend were all going. I dont care what Ms. Im-all-arty-and-busy has on her hands, she has gotta unwind a little.

Taking a sip of her wine, Tina gave a nervous smile. Oh dear god, she was going to step into a ***** bar, first time she is actually being acknowledged as a member of the ***** society of LA. Feeling uneasy about the hasty decision Alice made, tina felt she needed to say something, constructive, perhaps a dinner outing or something like that would be better. Oh! And she just remembered about Marina. What was it between Bette and her, she wanted to find out once and for all. It had bugged her for days on end when Bette had pulled her away from that beautifully exotic woman.

Al? Im not sure if Im ready to well, go to Milk.anyway! before you say anything else, I wanted to knowwhats the story between Marina andwell, and Bette? Were they, a pair, before you and Bette, or something? Tinas curiosity was practically at its peak.

A moment of silence washed over the table. Alice didnt know how to put it, would Bette like Tina to know the truth? Well, if Bette didnt want it to be revealed, Tina wouldnt even know a hint about it in the first place. Ok. Speaking in a low voice, Alice repeated the entire event, starting from her break-up with Bette, to francescas return, to that fated night. Tina was appalled, and she reacted at all the right moments. So that was what Bette had gone through. Her heart panged for Bette at this very moment, wanting to embrace her.

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Keeping a safe distance behind, Dana drove her car with caution. Winding in and out of traffic, whenever it seemed as though Conrad was checking out his rearview mirror, she would sink down into her seat. She was terrified that Conrad had found the fax meant for her, and was also secretly giggly. It would be so hilarious to see the look on his face when he showed up at the address.

Pulling round the corner, Conrad had parked across the street, and made his way into a cigar store. Looking around her, Dana smacked her head! God! This was nowhere near any ***** shop, it was, a freaking upper class neighborhood! Realizing that the fax might still be in the office, Dana sped off.

That was strange, he swore he could have seen a jeep familiar to that of Danas. it couldnt be. What would that athlete know about cigars? Coming out of the store, Conrad looked around, before walking down two blocks, to ***** N Gadgets. Hey, the fax had come in, this was a sign from above that he needed some much-awaited fun.