“Umm, I should probably check on Dana.”

“Okay, I’m gonna go to the bathroom, how about you grab us some beers and I’ll meet you at the bar.”

“Sure,” I replied, grinning like a loon.

I found Alice and Dana just by the exit, Alice was trying to calm Dana down with little success.

“Hey guys, everything ok?”

“Are you kidding me, Tina?”  Dana yelled. “How can you let her touch you like that!”

“It was just a kiss, Dane.”

“No, no, just don’t.” Dana said looking me dead in the eyes “I don’t know this person standing in front of me, because it’s not the best friend I’ve known since we were three.”

“Dana come on; it’s still me.”

“No Tina, no.” shaking her head she looked at Alice “I’m going home, happy birthday Al.”

At that she left the club, Alice just looked at me, “I should go with her, you coming?”

“No, I’m gonna hang back, she needs space from me. I’ll text you when I get home to let you know I’m safe yeah.”

“Ok.” With that Alice went after Dana.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sitting at the bar waiting for Kate to return, the anger in me at Dana’s reaction was building. I chugged my beer and when there was still no sign of Kate, I downed hers as well, ordering two more in the process. When I was part way through my third beer in 10 minutes, I felt a tug on my arm spinning me around, away from the bar, without thinking or looking I grabbed Kate’s face and pulled her to me, putting all my frustrations and anger into a toe-curling kiss.

Her reaction to the kiss seemed delayed, at first, she didn’t join in, then suddenly, it was like a dam broke and we were both washed away in the ensuing passion. Eventually, body and mind caught up with each other and my brain started questioning certain things; did she suddenly seem taller? Kate was shorter than me when we were dancing so how is she now above me? You’re sitting down, Tina, that’s why my brain answered. Her lips, seem so much softer, her perfume, not as sweet. Her breath no longer tasted of beer but of stronger alcohol. Her fingers on my face seemed smoother. Unable to answer any of these questions I slowly pulled away and opened my eyes…Oh, fuck!

“Tina.”

“Miss Porter!”