"You don’t have to do this, Spencer."

"Yes, I do." The shaking in her voice signaled the tears that soon brimmed her eyes.

"Why, Spencer?  Why are you doing this?  Daring me to get her number.  A crash course in etiquette.  You’re my best friend, not my dating coach."

"I want to make sure you’re happy.  That you have someone…"

"No one said it’s gonna be Cate.  We haven’t even –"

"Gone out, I know."  Spencer finally looked up.  "But you will.  Soon.  And…I want to make sure you remember how to win a girl over."

"By making me into a prim and proper girl?"

"No.  I…I want you to be you.  I’m remembering everything you did on our first anniversary.  Don’t you remember?" 

It was like a brick hit her on the side of the head.

"Caleo’s.  Oh my god…". 

Ashley had wanted to prove to Spencer she wasn’t a rich bitch’s daughter and the offspring of a partying rock-n-roller.  She had made reservations to Caleo’s, gotten advice from Arthur on how to be elegant, even bought a dress that didn’t show off her cleavage.  Everything was perfect, running smoothly.  Spencer never stopped smiling.  And when Ashley tipped her soup bowl away from her, as was the rule, she tipped too far, sending mushroom broth all over Spencer’s lap.  She stood up to stop it, tipping the sparkling cider over as well.  The table next to them also jumped up to avoid the cider shower, knocking over their own wine glasses and causing general mayhem.  Ashley had run out of the restaurant crying; Spencer came out later, laughing, telling her it was ok and that she wasn’t mad or upset, but was actually highly amused.  Ash was too embarrassed to accept Spencer’s forgiveness; she had erased the memory, vowing never again to enter an eating establishment that gave you more then one fork.

"I want you to be that girl.  I fell madly in love with you that night, Ashley.  I know you can do it for another girl.  I want you to do it for another girl.  I guess I just didn’t realize it would happen so soon.  And I didn’t think she’d already be asking to meet your best friend…".

Ashley hung her head.  That was it.  Cate already saw a future with Ashley; she wanted to know her friends, wanted to know her ex-girlfriends.  To what?  To know more about her?  Know what she was getting into?  Or was she trying to show her that she respected her relationship with Spencer?  Maybe it was all of the above.  Guess I have to talk to her, too. 

"I know you want me to be happy, Spence.  But…I’ll be happy when I’m ready to be happy.  And if Cate can’t like me if I don’t attempt to ruin her best outfit, then I don’t want to be with her."  That drew a smile. "But, I won’t do this if it’s going to hurt you, Spencer.  If it’s too hard for you to see me date again, I’ll stop."

"It’s going to be hard whether I’m here or…not."  Spencer wiped her eyes.  "But, if I’m here, at least I can approve instead of rattling cupboard doors or throwing chairs across the room."

I smiled.  "As long as you don’t try to posess my teddy bear or something…".  Spencer laughed, "Or write in blood on your bathroom walls."  They both laughed at that.

"Thank you, Spencer."  Ashley reached for her hand and Spencer easily slid her into her grasp.  She squeezed once.  "I’m starving, though."

"Yes.  Please go reheat this."  Spencer handed the bowl to Ashley and she walked out to try dinner for a third time.