Dana leaned on her kitchen counter, fighting a losing battle with her fiancee.

“But I don’t want to go.” Head down and preoccupied with turning the water faucet off and on, Dana tried her hardest to change Tonya’s mind.

Tonya entered the kitchen, slapping Dana’s hand to stop the periodic rushes of water.

“That’s wasteful Dana,” Tonya quickly whispered in Dana’s ear as she swept past the tennis player, making her way towards the refrigerator. “Sweetie, you really need to get out and have fun. You’ve been training like mad and haven’t spoken to your friends in days.”

After retrieving a bottled water from the icebox, Tonya sauntered next to Dana and playfully scolded, “I’m afraid for your mental health.”

Dana continued to pout, and defiantly turned the faucet on, then off one last time. She finally looked at her fiancee with a pleading expression on her face.

“Why can’t you come?” Dana asked.

Tonya sighed in frustration and moved her way back into the den. Taking a seat at the computer desk, she began clicking at her mouse like mad after placing the bottled water next to the keyboard.

“Pookie, enough. I’m planning a wedding remember? I need peace and quiet, a little classical music on the stereo. Concentration is crucial.” Tonya sighed while staring intently at her computer screen. “The pressure is mounting Dana, and you are not helping.” She continued clicking away.

Dana pivoted angrily and leaned against the counter.   ”So you’re just kicking me out?”

Tonya looked up from the computer screen towards Dana, and with a sugary smile answered, “Exactly. Now go on and doll yourself up.”

Muttering under her breath but obeying Tonya’s orders, Dana headed to her bedroom to change. “I don’t want to go to stupid Milk,” she uttered while passing Tonya.

Entering her bedroom, she slammed the door and stood with hands on hips. She heard Tonya say something about “dancing the night away.” Dana ignored her fiancee as she crossed her arms and bit her lip, now deep in thought.

One week ago, she wouldn’t have minded going to Milk. Exactly one week ago, she would have loved the idea of hanging out with her friends. Shane, Jenny, Tina, maybe Bette would even be there. And of course Alice.
Always Alice.

The one person Dana felt the most comfortable and relaxed with. The one person she could be herself around. *****, Tina had once called them kindred spirits.

And now?

Now the thought of seeing and being around Alice turned her insides into unmanageable knots. She hadn’t spoken to her best friend since their encounter at the Planet… two whole days. Dana couldn’t remember the last time they had gone that long without speaking. The uncertainty of it all killed her, and she was slightly surprised Alice hadn’t made an attempt to reach out to her. No emails, no phone calls, nothing.

Dana found newfound courage as she began to get ready. This is ridiculous, she thought. Not speaking to Alice because of one little kiss? Surely there was a way through this. A manual of some sort? “Overcoming Kissing Your Best Friend For Dummies?” Dana smiled to herself for that one, and slowly her confidence grew.

Confronting Alice was the first step. Yes, Dana thought, I certainly can do that. Taking the initiative was never Dana’s strong suit, but this burden needed to be lifted. And tonight was the night.

Dana gazed at herself in her bathroom mirror, a look of determination emboldened on her face. She pepped herself up.

“We’ll talk, we’ll laugh.” She muttered quietly while gesturing with both hands. “We’ll agree it was one huge mistake.”

Dana’s resolution faded as she continued to look at herself. Confliction tore at her heart. She pondered the kiss for the millionth time. And yet again, she found difficulty in convincing herself it was a mistake.

“*****.” Dana cursed gently. Stirred from her thoughts by the sound of classical music resonating throughout her loft, Dana glanced at herself once more. Heaving a huge sigh of resignation, she began getting ready for Milk.