“No joke,” replied Alex, who pushed Shane’s bangs out of her face. “That’s pretty pathetic when compared to nine hundred and sixty, isn’t it?” Shane laughed, nuzzling Alex’s hand with her head. A certain warmness swelled up inside her, which Alex immediately fought down.

            “Let me guess,” said Shane. “You’re waiting for love to come up and bite you in the ass?”

            “You bet. I only involve myself romantically with people that can love me as much as I can love them. Does that make sense?”

            “Yeah, it does.” Shane nuzzled Alex again, making Alex unbelievably happy and absolutely infuriated with herself at the same time. “You look like someone who gets a different girl every night, though. I think it’s cool that you are so blatant with who you are.”

            “You aren’t half bad either, Shane. I think you and I could become really close friends.”

            “Me too,” Shane said, smiling, taking Alex’s hand from her head and placing it on her chest, resting both palms on it. “You know, a lot of friends do sometimes…” she started hopefully.

            “I don’t think so,” Alex laughed, pulling her hand away. “Listen, I’m going to go for a walk. Any groceries I could bring you?” Alex put on her coat and turned to see a subtly crestfallen look on Shane’s face. Why? We’ve only known each other a day, Shane. We’ll be the best of friends, I promise. But I can’t be any more than that with someone like you. Alex went back over to the double bed and laid down beside her, that crushed emotion still swimming in the butch’s eyes. “We’ve know each other for only about an hour, Shane. Who knows what will come in time?” Alex traced Shane’s nose with her index finger, smiling.

            “I like you,” Shane said, sighing, not breaking the eye contact they were sharing.

            “And I’d be lieing if I said I didn’t like you.”

            “So why not?” Shane now had a small tone of annoyance in her voice.

            “I’m going to go to the store and then catch up with Dana, so I’ll be in late tonight if at all. Feel free to bring home number nine-hundred and sixty-one.” Alex made to get up, but Shane had an ironclad grip on her arm. Alex sighed and sat back down, but Shane didn’t say anything, and eventually let go of her arm. “Just for future reference,” said Alex as she made her way to the door, “when people divulge one of their deepest secrets to you, the next thing you do shouldn’t be trying to pressure them like that.”