Dana had fallen asleep on the stoop of Alices apartment. She was huddled in a ball when Alice returned. A bouquet of flowers lying on the ground next to her. Alice lightly kicked her, Hey you big lump, off my floor.

Dana jolted awake, Sor-Al! She jumped off the floor and gave Alice a big bear hug.

Whoa there, Tiger. She felt the cold skin on hers, *****, Dana. How long youve been out here? Youre freezing.

Uh, I dont know. Since maybe 5 oclock.

Dana, its like 2 in the morning.

Oh.

Let me get you all warmed up, before you catch cold. Alice rubbed her hands up and down Danas arms trying to warm them up. *****, Dana. What the ***** were you thinking?

Dana bent down to pick up the flowers off the floor and held them out in front of her. These are for you becauseIalways ***** things up.

No, no, no. You dont.

Uh, I didnt know what kind youd like.

So you got one of each?

Dana smiled sheepishly, Pretty much.

The flowers are really nice. Thank you.

I was um hoping that that you-that were ok.

Look at you, all nervous. Well more so than normal.

This isnt easy, Al. Im trying to say Im sorry.

I know. Im sorry, too.

Alice walked Dana inside. She closed the door and when she turned around, Dana was down on her knee. Alice could feel her head go light and her knees weak. She was hyperventilating and ready to faint, Get up. Get up now.

Al, you ok?

Dont ever do that again.

Do what?

That! What youre doing on the ground.

Im just kneeling.

Dont do it.

She put the other knee down on the ground, Is this better?

Alice finally was able to catch her breath. I guess so.

Forgive me?

Sure, now get up. Dana put her head on Alices stomach, hugging her around the waist. Alice glanced around her awkwardly. What are you doing? Her hand accidentally brushed Danas hair. She closed her eyes.

Dana stood up, Im trying to make you love me again.

Alice swallowed nervously.

Im not the only nervous one, huh? Dana let out a anxious laugh. She touched Alices arm.

Alice couldnt speak.

I want us to have another chance, Al. I love you too much to let you go any longer. I cant do this without you.

Alice hugged her friend in an attempt to hide the tears that were welling up in her eyes.

Dana squeezed her and then quickly loosened her grip when she realized Alice was crying. Are you ok?

Shut up. Youre making me cry, you big goof. A smile crept across her lips.

Dana gently wiped the tears off Alices cheeks. Her hand lingered on Alices face.
The words she wanted to say to express her fears would not surface, instead she said the first thing that came to her mind, Kiss me, but like you did that night.

Alice looked sad, Im not sure I can.

Wh-why?

Because when I kiss you, Alice whispered, I dont want to stop.

Whats wrong with that?

Alice couldnt hide the frustration rising in her voice, Nothing. Nothing!

Uh. Um. Im upsetting you. I uh

Alice turned her head, her lips pressing against Danas hand, silencing her bumbling friend. It was a moment that was moving too painfully slow for Alice. She pushed the thoughts that held her back, out of her head and wrapped her arms around Dana, pulling her body close. She kissed Dana at first gently and with a slight hesitancy but as Danas lips and tongue responded, Alice made the kiss deeper and more passionate.

They crashed into random pieces of furniture astonished that they could still keep their mouths and bodies connected. Dana then led Alice to the television chair. They fell onto the chair with Alice sitting in the seat with Dana in her lap at the same instant, their weight causing the chair to fall backwards. Alice giggled uncontrollably as Dana laid on top of her, mortified. Oh my God, Al are-?

Alice put her hands on Danas face. Im fine, babe.

Im so sorry. Im such a klutz.

She gave Dana a quick peck on the lips, Now this is the Dana I grew to love.

Dana groaned.

Alice slithered out from under Dana on to flat floor. She sat up and grabbed the straps of Danas shirt pulling her over towards her. She then playfully shoved Dana so shed be on her back and then straddled her.

Wow, Al, youre kind of rough.

Only because I get hurt the other way around.

Im sorry.

Rule number one, no more apologizing.

But-

Alice touched Danas mouth with her finger, indicating for her to be quiet. She pinned Danas arms above her head and began kissing her. Alice, this is your friend. She broke up with you, what are you doing? But you like *****. You like ***** with your friend even more. Oh what the *****. She took her shirt off.

Dana tried to relax and just enjoy the show. Her eyes took in the vision in front of her. She was more nervous now than she was the first time with Alice. She was afraid of making a wrong move and scaring Alice off. She knew she had messed things up with Alice before by breaking up with her and then trying to seduce her back. She believed that Alice disappeared because she gave the impression that she was using ***** as a weapon to pull Alice back in. It wasnt true in her mind. She had missed Alice and wanted to reconnect and it didnt help that she was celibate for awhile. Letting Alice continue doing what she was doing without a real talk seemed immoral on a level. Al.

Alice paused, Yes? Dane, you dont have to say anything. Tonight can be whatever you want it to be. Im willing to take anything. Foreplay, a quick *****, making love, its all good.

Dana frowned. She expected this on a level but hoped that Alice would have proved her wrong. What is this to you?

I dont know what I should feel, Dane.

Al, I love you. Im in love with you. Its more than all of that to me. You know that.

Alice sighed. She did know that. She didnt want to believe that Dana really felt this way towards her. She knew how she felt and hearing Dana say the same thing, frightened her a little. She had never felt this way towards anyone in her entire life. She stood up. I know. I have something for you. She went over to her purse and pulled out a tiny black box. She threw it at Dana.

What is it?

Just open it, ok?

Dana gave her one last look before opening the box. She took out the necklace, Thanks.

Take the insert out.

Oh, theres more?

Haha. Yes, of course theres more. Keep going.

Dana carefully took out the cardboard insert and underneath was a broken heart charm. Oh, Al. She looked sad, I never meant to break your heart. Im sorry.

Now read it. She stood over Dana. You have to put the pieces together and then read it.

Oh, it says best friends. Al, its beautiful.

Turn it over.

You really made this a process. She flipped the charm over in her hand, Alice and Dana forever. She smiled.

Alice blushed, Its only not broken when its together. She whispered, her voice barely audible, When were together.

Dana got up and hugged Alice. Thank you. I love it. So what half do you want st-ends or be fri?

Either one.

Then Ill keep the be fri part.

Ok.

Dana put her half of the charm on the necklace. Can you?

Of course. Alice moved behind Dana and did the clasp on the necklace. Good, I picked the right color to match your other chain.

Dana reached back and undid the clasp on her other chain. She put the other charm on it. May I?

Alice bowed her head, giving Dana access to her neck.

Dana put the necklace on and then tenderly kissed Alices neck, then her shoulders, her collarbone and then back up her neck to her lips.

Alice pulled away. Hold up for a minute. And dont worry about sparing my feelings. Now promise me, youll be completely honest.

I promise.

Ok. Are you ready? I mean really ready. I know the timing wasnt the best.

Uh huh.

Uh huh you know the timing was bad or youre ready?

Im ready.

Alice swallowed, Ok, um are you sure? Do you want to think this over? Dana shook her head and lunged at Alice. Alice blurted out between kisses, Im taking thatasaasa…

Dana started furiously unbuttoning her blouse to catch up to Alice, Yes, Im sure. Now shut up, Al.