Unable to stop kissing Tina back, Bette felt Paolo and Sandras looking at them. Breaking the kiss, she looked at Tina for a few seconds before saying.

Can I talk with you for a second?

Without looking back, forgetting about Paolos possible reaction, Tina nodded. She followed Bette to the far end of the beautiful garden, away for indiscreet ears.

Noticing the look on Bettes eyes, Tina tried not to smile, but she knew she was not being very successful as Bettes face was noticing the effort.

I dont find it funny

Bette said, still holding Tinas hand.

I know, I know is not funny but I just love the look in your eyes.I know what you sawor what you think you saw

Dont tell me that what I saw is not what I sawI know what I saw! Bette said, noticing the smile on Tinas face growing with each new word she was voicing.

I knowyou saw what you saw but what you saw is not what you really saw Tina said, finding her words growing the amusement she was feeling not only by voicing them but by hearing them too.

I mean she added, trying to straight her face what you saw is not what it seemedwhat you saw was just something you were not supposed to see because is not really what you were mean to see, I mean noticing she was going nowhere, she tried again. what you saw was a kiss that wasnt really a kiss because it wasnt suppose to be happening, not only because it didnt mean anything but because what you saw wasnt really a kiss, was more like a goodbye gesture

Looking at Tina, Bette was realizing what she was not saying but listening to her explanation she was loving how messy her words were becoming, how deep Tina was burying herself into her explanation, how unable she was of explaining the whole thing. Loving seeing her that way she let her continue.

I was trying to tell Paolo about us but he was not listeningyou know how men never listenwellI was trying and thenII guess I.. I was not listening either because he said something I didnt hear and the next thing I know he kissed me but I didnt mean I mean,.. I didnt kiss him back and thats what you sawseeit wasnt really a kisshe just kissed me but I didnt and then.

Taking Tinas other hand, Bette whispered,

Are you drunk?

Confused, briefly looking around, Tina answered,

No, of course not, why?

Then am in trouble Bette added, leaning slowly to kiss Tina not letting her go on with his rambling.

***

Where are we going? asked Kate, opening her eyes, looking at the open road.

Does it matter? answered Shane looking at her.

No, not reallyas long as my cell works Kate said, resting her head on the back of the seat.

Why? If you need to be somewhere, we can goI dont care Shane added.

No, is okI enjoy your driving Kate said, trying not to look at Shanes clothes, glued to her still wet body. The image of a single drop falling from her still wet hair to her bare shoulders, how it rolled all the way was still haunting her.

Nodding, not adding anything to Kates words Shane looked ahead, focusing on the open empty road.


***

AlAlyou are going to get coldyou should put something on Dana mumbled in between kisses.

Why? Dont you like my new look? A very wet happy Alice I will call itI knowdoesnt leave anything to the imagination but is accurate. Alice said, removing a wet lock of hair from Danas face.

Al!! Dana said blushing a little.

Loving the sight of Danas face, Alice took it in her hands before kissing her again.

Ok, Id live without this wet jeans She said talking about the dripping clothes, only to realize seconds later what could it means too.

WaitI know wait here Dana yelled, storming out of the bathroom leaving Alice with her mouth wide open. Giggling, looking at her wet clothes, Alice waited. In less than a second, or that she thought, Dana was back carrying a plastic bag.

Whats that? Alice asked, finally succeeding in removing her wet jeans.

Something you can put on Dana said, proudly showing Alice what was inside the bag.

Whats this? Alice asked, taking the bright coloured clothes.

Seeing the bright grey and yellow basketball shorts Dana giggled.

What? You didnt find anything better for me to fit in? Alice asked, looking at the piece of clothe.

I no Dana lied.

What? Didnt Tina has anything else I could use from the shooting?…I mean noticing the trapped look in Danas eyes.

Right, size one is the biggest they use Alice added with a smile, putting on the shorts.

Helping Alice, resting her hands on her hips, Dana whispered,

The only clothes thing you need to fit in is me

Looking at Dana, loving the look in her eyes even more than the words she just said, Alice felt speechless .Dana, feeling Alices eyes glued to hers started blushing, finding impossible to stop it.

You knew this? Alice then asked, sitting on the toilet

this? asked Dana, looking around, confused.

Yes you knowthe ozonethe new government politics, how the world turnsThis!… Daneyou and me! Alice whispered, unaware of her cheeks blushing.

Timidly, feeling like a teenager all over again, Dane whispered,

No

Then? asked Alice, still confused.

Looking at Alice, not sure what to say, Dana notices her messy wet hair, her bare arms as well as her trembling legs.

Why dont you put on this t-shirt, you are going to get cold, then we can go to another place to talk Dana said, trying to find the way to explain herself, looking for the courage she knew she needed to repeat what she almost said just a few minutes ago.

Ok Alice nodded, still feeling alcohol guiding her moves.

Easy Dana mumbled, holding Alice as she was clumsily removing her wet bra, making Dana to blush even harder. It wasnt the first time she was seeing her friend naked but it was the first time she was looking at her with different eyes.


***

Shane, this is beautifulwhere are we?

Smiling, trying to stop the chuckle growing in her mouth, Shane whispered,

Do you always have to know everything?

Yeah, sorryI usually need to know everything Kate said, lowering to take a stone from the cold sand.

Do you come here often? she asked, following Shanes quiet pace in the dark.

No, not often Shane answered, subtly slowing her pace to let Kate catch her.

Nodding, loving the bright stared sky above them, Kate smiled.

I used to come here a lot the house over there belongs to somebody I know Shane whispered, as a secret, as a gift.

Nodding, waiting for Shane to continue talking, Kate took another stone from the sand.

Last time I came here was almost five years ago I dont know why I thought about this place today Shane added, ducking her hands in her jeans.

Im glad you didits beautiful

Yes it is Shane whispered stopping her pace. Looking around, she took her jacket off and placing it on the sand helped Kate to sit on it.

Thanks mumbled Kate, surprised not only by Shanes manners but by anyone being so gentle with her.

Sitting at Kates side Shane looked at the ocean, loving the sound of the rhythm waves.

I didnt know Tina had a cousin Shane said after a while, knowing how lame her words were but wanting to hear Kates voice.

I didnt know Tina had a girlfriend Kate said, laying on her back, facing the stars.

You didnt know she was a ***** Shane said, leaning on her arm, looking at Kate.

Oh no, is not thatI always suspectedbut she didnt say anything andI wasnt going to tell her

You knew? asked Shane, nonchalantly playing with the sand that was resting in between her bare arm and Kates bare shoulder.

You know how this workI amand saw things in her that sounded familiarso I wondered

Does she know that you are? Shane asked, not looking at Kate, still playing with the soft cold sand.

Sure, we talked about it long time agobut is not like Kate started saying only to suddenly stop.

Looking from the sand that was falling off between her thin fingers to Kates eyes, Shane opened her mouth to ask, but then closed it again, realizing that it wasnt really her business.

Rolling to her right, Kate bent her arm, resting her head on it, looking at Shane, she said,

With my line of work is not like I have a very active social life so my sexual life is even less active

Nodding, unable to stop herself, Shane leaned forward. Resting her lips on Kates she kissed her for a long time.

Breaking the kiss, Shane whispered,

I dont know about your line of work but your kissing abilities are something to be considered

Looking at Shane, Kate smiled before saying,

I like to be good at what I doI might not kiss much but

Shut up chuckled Shane leaning forward again.

On the other hand, you seemed to be a master in the task at hand Kate said before feeling Shanes lips on hers.

After a long hot kiss, that surprised Shane, she said, sitting straight, bending her legs in front of her.

I, on the other hand, have had quiet a social lifesort of

Noticing the look in Shanes eyes, how her body language was changing from flirting to hiding, Kate sat in front of her.

Thats good, Its good to know that one of us knows what to do she said, trying to break the suddenly thick mood that was covering them.

Appreciating Kates words, Shane nodded but then, ducking her bare feet in the sand, she added,

Is more like that, I

Shanelook at meit doesnt matter.you dont have to say anythingyou have a pastI have a pastIve done things am not proud ofbelieve me I know what am talking aboutam sure you have your historybut it doesnt matter

but Shane tried again.

No, no buts Kate whispered, placing her finger on Shanes lips.

What do you do? asked Shane.

II work for the government Kate answered after a few seconds of consideration.

*****! mumbled Shane, unable to stop the words escaping her lips.

I knowI get that a lot giggled Kate.

Looking at how Kates feet were caressing hers, Shane whispered,

“II

Lest dont talk anymore, ok? Kate added.

Leaning closer, Kate rubbed her nose against Shanes chin, till she noticed her smile growing.

Good she added before kissing her again.

***

So, you think we can go now? asked Bette, caressing Tinas bare arm.

Yeah, but if you dont mind I d like to talk with Paolo firstI

Seeing that Tina was going to get into another never ending story, Bette nodded.

Sure, am going to see the girls ok

Ok Tina smiled, kissing Bette briefly on the lips before heading into Paolos direction.


***
and then.. a few hours later

Slowly, loving the velvet touch, Shane caressed Kates cheek. Opening her eyes, Kate looked surprised for a brief second before smiling at Shane who was still looking at her.

Am sorry she said trying not to yawn.

What for? whispered Shane noticing the sleepy eyes.

For falling asleep

Is ok, I just wanted to show you somethinglook she said pointing the pink horizon where the sun was rising.

Sitting close to Shane, looking at the sunrise, Kate said without looking at her,

I have to go to San Francisco for the weekend do you want to come?

Shane, still looking at the horizon, waited a few seconds before saying,

Yeah…Id like that…

Nodding, resting the chin over the knees, Kate whispered,

Good

***

Feeling Alice shivering under her touch, Dana thought about last night, how while she was preparing something to eat she realized what everything really meant. She walked back to her room to check on Alice when she found her completely gone. She was asleep on the bed. She wasnt even wearing the pjs that Dana gave it to her, she was in her undies and the tiny t-shirt she put on to leave the party. Without much thinking, Dana changed her clothes and carefully put her into bed.

Now, even with her eyes closed, Dana knew, could feel, that Alice was awake.

Are you ok? she whispered, opening her eyes.

Surprise to find Dana awake, Alice rolled over to face her. It was difficult for her to open her eyes but even in the blur image that was appearing in front of her she could see that Dana was smiling. Sighing, she nodded.

Do you want coffee? Dana asked, jumping out of the bed.

Shhh Alice mumbled, unable to talk, feeling her tongue not only dry but very thick.

Mmm? Dana asked, turning from the door, you dont?

Dane!..please.do you you have to yell?…godmy head!Alice said, the words coming out slowly as if voicing them was the most difficult thing in the world.

Slowly , very slowly Dana moved to Alices side of the bed and leaning down, removing a lock of hair from her closed eyes, she whispered,

Coffee then?

Unable to open her eyes again, secretly loving Dana closeness, Alice nodded while mumbling,

CokeI need a cold diet coke

OOk Dana said, smiling as she walked towards the kitchen.

Covering her head with the duvet, Alice thought, or at least try to, about last night. Everything was a vague memory, she was not sure, could not remembered part of the night but she could still feel the warm comforting feeling that run through her body when she heard Danas voice behind her. That and the look in her face before kissing her.

Feeling her feet cold she looked down, noticing that they were uncovered, doing that she realized she was wearing Danas favourite pjs. Unable to stop a silly smile growing on her face she wondered how and when did she change into them.

Suddenly, feeling very conscience about everything, about Dana, about her, about Dana and her she felt her cheeks burning.