Dana couldnt believe her eyes when Lara opened the door. Her heart immediately jumped to her throat, then plummeted to her heels, and her mind was reeling with questions as they stood wordlessly looking at one another. Beyond everything else was the immediate palm sweating elation that the mere sight of the redhead brought Dana.

Just as Lara was about to speak, Danas phone rang.

Dana picked up enough of the conversation to realize that Sadie had planned the evening to go just as it was going. Tight-lipped, Lara flipped Danas phone shut and handed it back to her. Lara stood there, with a closed expression.

Dana smiled and said, So, I was just in the neighborhood her voice trailed off, as Lara took a deep breath.

Look DanaI know that Sadie set this whole thing up. Im sorry that shes pulled you into this. I understand if you want to just go home.

Do you want me to go home? Dana straightened to her full height. Lara, do you want me to leave? she asked a little more forcefully. She suddenly realized that this was it. Her opportunity to show Lara that shed changed.

Lara looked at Dana and asked, Since when does it matter what I want?

Dana was stung by the words. She nodded. I deserved that. Lara, a lot has happened since I walked out on you. You have no reason to listen to me, but I would like to talk to you.Ive missed talking to you.

Suddenly the sound of water boiling over came from the kitchen. *****! The pasta! Lara turned and headed for the stove. Dana took the opportunity to come in and close the door.

Lara grabbed the pot from the eye, and dumped the contents into the strainer. Ever the chef, she tested one of the penne pastas. She nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Dana. Penne with vodka sauce and caviar.

Dana smiled, My favorite.

Lara nodded without smiling, her eyes never leaving Danas. I know.

Laras cell phone rang. This time Lara picked up her phone. God. She said in disgust when she saw Sadies cellular number flash. What is it? She asked by way of an answer.

Just wanted to let you know theres a cooler under the dining room table. You may want to use whats in it.

Got it. Now leave me alone. Lara hung up the phone and looked at Dana, guardedly.

Alright. Ive missed talking with you, too. Why dont we have dinner—it would be a shame to let all this food go to waste.

Dana agreed with a smile. Id like that, very much.

Lara finally smiled, just a little. Ill plate salads and pasta. Look under the tableSadie says theres a cooler with stuff we may need.

Dana pulled out the cooler while Lara busied herself in the kitchen. When she turned with two salad plates in hand, the table was set with glowing candles, two glasses of chilled chardonnay, and the single red rose in a small bud vase.

*-*-*
Sadie turned her cell phone off, and smiled at Marina. Thats that then.

Marina arched an eyebrow, quizzically.

Sadie went on. They were still together when I called, I think. Now its up to them. So, whats for appetizers?

Just like that? Marina asked. Youve planned this for the last 36 hours, and now in the midst of it, youre done?

What more can I do? They either talk or they dont. Lara is either going to be okay with me or really, really pissed. When I get to that bridge Ill grovel if I have to. Either way, its time for us to enjoy our evening and forget about everything else. Sadie put her cell phone away.

Marina broached Sadies earlier phone conversation with Lara. I couldnt help but overhear your reference to a woman named Paige. She sounds like an important person in your life.

She was. Sadie said meeting Marinas eyes. Shes gone—she died about a year and a half ago. Her eyes fell on Mia who was stretched out on the cool tile floor. Shes the one who trained Mia. It was leukemia. She finished quietly.

God”Im sorry, Sadie.

Dont be. Paige was an amazing woman, and her presence in my life altered me forever. Ill always carry her with me in some small way, and Id do it all over again if I had the choice. But, life has a way of bending and ebbing and flowing in directions we can never forecast. And right now, my life has intersected with yours. My past with Paige helped to bring me here, to this moment. Im still very much alive, Marina.you helped me realize that over the last week.

The impact of Sadies words brought sudden tears to Marinas eyes. You dont really know me, Sadie. You might change your mind if you did. I have a past too, and Ive done some things Im not very proud of.

*-*-*
Dana and Lara sat quietly at the table. Neither ate much, though Dana had cooed over the velvety taste of the pasta.

Dana finally put her fork down, and raised her eyes to Lara, who was quietly watching her. Lara—I need to tell you some things.

Lara nodded and put her fork down as well. She took a sip of wine.

Dana took a deep breath and began in an impersonal tone. As you may remember, Im not exactly the best at communicating. Im stellar at not telling you what Im thinking; I stick my head under the sheet and crawl away when things are uncomfortable, and, finally, Im a ***** coward. By the time she finished, her voice had an edge of vulnerability.

Laras lip turned up in a slight smile. Dana was so adorable sitting there, twisted in anguish. Lara mentally shook her head. Dont touch herthat scared the ***** out of her the last time. She reminded herself.

So, why should you believe me when I tell you Ive changed? For one, Dana lifted her index finger to enumerate, Im out. Subaru knew all the time. Duh. Lara smiled.

Encouraged, Dana held up a second finger. Two. My family knows Im *****.

Lara looked startled.

Dana nodded. Yeah, they werent that excited. Except for my brother; he was pretty okay with it. Then again, hes sixteen and full of hormones. And, three (a third finger went up), Lara Id never forgive myself if I didnt tell you how much you mean to me. That Saturday morning was the lowest point for me. I know you werent judging meits just you are so confident in your gayness. I have only one thing that Im really good at, and thats tennis. I cant fall back on any career like Alice or Bette or Shane, or you. Ive only got a short period of time to make this work for me. I dont know anything else. So I walk around petrified that Im going to ***** up and wind up with absolutely nothing. So what did I do? I fucked up and wound up without you. Which has been really, really bad for me.

Lara started to speak, but Dana waved her off. Please, let me finishI need to make sure I tell you everything. Lara, I cant promise that things will be easy. Ive been pretty closeted for a lot of years, and that carries a lot of baggage with it. {snortbaggage, closet, ahem} But, I do know one thing. I Love You. Thats it. I Love You. Ive been miserable without you, and I would give anything to have another chance.

Dana was depleted. Lara looked down at her hands.

When she looked up, the candlelight caught the glint of tears.

Looking at Dana she said, Only one question.

Anything. Dana answered with hope written all over her face.

Your place or mine? Lara asked, and her voice broke.

Dana flung herself from the chair and came to a rest beside Lara, on her knees. Her hands were trembling as they reached up to cradle the redheads face. God, you are so beautiful. She pulled the woman close and as their lips found each other they mingled with the salt of their tears.

*-*-*

As they picked at a platter of roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, feta cheese and pita points, Marina filled Sadie in on Francesca, and their open relationship of the past several years.
Sadies reaction was a little guarded. I must admit thats new for me. Ive had lots of ***** male friends whose relationships are like that, but Ive never thought it was my cup of tea.

Marina nodded, her eyes clouded with unhappiness. The drama can be intense.

What are you looking for now? Marinas eyes snapped to Sadies with surprise.

Sadie shook her head, No, not with mewhat is it that you are looking for, Marina”in general?

Marina considered the question. A purpose. She refilled her sangria and nodded. Ive been floating along from one thing to another. Whatever”whoever– catches my fancy. Ive really enjoyed my work at The Planet, but that hasnt given me a strong sense of fulfillment. Im looking for someone to share my life with. Marinas answer seemed to surprise herself.

Marinas next words took them both by surprise.

You are safe.

Sadie sat back and blew out. God, thats the death knell. Safe? I might as well go home now!

Her retort broke the tension that had crept into the room.

Marina laughed. What I meant, is that I feel at peace when Im with you. You dont seem to get caught up in the head games that seem to abound around here. Maybe its because you are new around here, but I dont think so. I get the feeling that you are genuinely kind. And I think thats quite *****.

Sadie blushed. Wow. If the appetizers bring up this intense conversation, I cant imagine what dinner and dessert will be like.

Marina winked, Why dont we go upstairs and see?