Tina laughed. "No it’s alright. Jenny IS a fucking nut." Tina hugged Dax and said, "Anyway, maybe one day I’ll tell you all about it, but for now I should get home."

Dax took a pen and piece of paper from the glove compartment and wrote some digits then handed the paper to Tina. "Those are my work and cell numbers, you know, if you ever wanna get together sometime for whatever reason."

Tina nodded then looked into Dax’s eyes. This time Dax was the one who moved in for a quick kiss on Tina’s lips which made Tina blush. "Thanks for the ride," Tina said as she opened the door and got out of the truck.

"Anytime," Dax replied with a warm smile.

Over the course of the next couple of months Dax and Tina’s friendship grew and none of Tina’s friends suspected a thing, not even Shane. She saw them all from time to time, mostly in passing, but she preferred Dax’s company. She eventually told Dax the whole story and Tina was worried that Dax would think differently of her, but that wasn’t true. Dax was touched that Tina felt comfortable with her to tell her those things and considered the past to be the past. She just wanted Tina to be happy, even if it meant suppressing her own growing feelings for the older woman.

Dax had had a few relationships but nothing that really rocked her world. Not that she was looking for her soulmate or anything, but she had started to grow a bit tired of being the party girl every weekend and seeing the same old faces. Dax began to wonder what a grown-up relationship would feel like, particularly with Tina if she was ready to try dating again.

Tina was thrilled to have met Dax. She was younger but not immature. She enjoyed a few wild weekend nights partying with Dax when she didn’t have Angelica for the weekend, but she also treasured more serene moments with her friend, some of which involved Angelica. Tina was pleased her daughter took a shine to Dax and Dax also adored the little girl. Dax admitted to Tina that she had been nervous about meeting Angelica as she wasn’t sure how well she’d get on with a child. Tina was actually relieved to hear Dax say that because she too was worried that Dax might shy away when the reality of her being a mother set in. Sometimes Angelica would cry for Dax when she wasn’t around. If it wasn’t too late sometimes Tina would call Dax so Angelica could hear her voice. It always worked and in no time Angelica was happy again.

Sometimes the lines of their relationship were blurred. They considered themselves to be friends, but sometimes they shared lingering touches and innocent kisses that lasted a bit longer than just a friendly peck on the lips. Usually when they watched a movie either at Dax’s or Tina’s they fall asleep on the couch and wake up in each other’s arms. Tina was used to things like that, but not Dax. Dax was most definitely surprised when she realized she enjoyed this softer side of life. That was the revelation that pushed her to make a decision.

One day Tina and Angelica went to Dax’s apartment to hang out. While Tina and Dax were on the floor playing with Angelica, Dax finally got up the nerve to ask Tina a question.

"Tina?" Dax asked quietly.

Tina looked at Dax. "Hmm?"

"Would you like to go out with me sometime? A real date?"