“What’s new with the straight girl?” Alice tapped Bette lightly on the shoulder with the back of her hand as she asked the question.

“I think she’s just curious,” Bette replied. “Pass me a napkin Dana?”

Dana pushed the napkin dispenser over to Bette as the conversation continued.

“She’s cute,” Alice said. “Nothing wrong with a fling.”

“That was my original thought,” Bette replied. “But then I decided my days of being someone’s experiment are over.”

“No! Don’t say that!” Alice exclaimed. “Experimenting with bi-curious straight girls is one of the joys of living as a single woman in West Hollywood!”

“I’ve outgrown it Alice,” Bette replied. “Besides, I think I actually like her. And I’m not interested in getting hurt over a fling.”

“I’m sorry, you what?” Alice exaggerated a look of mock horror as she spoke.

“I. Like. Her.” Bette repeated slowly.

Alice and Dana exchanged looks of surprise as Bette finished speaking.

“What do you think it is about her?” Dana asked, all of a sudden much more interested in the direction of this conversation.

“Unobtainable?” Bette responded. “Self assured. Successful. Intelligent. Creative. And of course the obvious.”

“Well, yeah, the obvious is obvious,” Alice agreed with Bette and then leaned over to Dana and spoke in a stage whisper. “She’s fuckin’ hot.”

Dana nodded with a knowing smile.

“So are you going to call her?” Alice prodded. “See if you can nudge her in the right direction?”

“I don’t think I will,” Bette replied. “I don’t like feeling as though I’m being played. If she wants to talk to me before Friday, that’s fine. But I’m not going to pursue someone who I know to be unavailable.”

“Good to know ethics still rule the actions of some inhabitants of West Hollywood,” Dana commented.

“I know you just insulted me but you’ve been celibate far too long for me to care about your idea of ethical,” Alice glanced around the coffee shop looking for a playmate.

Dana slouched in her chair, having been duly chastised.

And Bette checked the voice mail on her cell for the eighth time since they had been seated.

********

Tina thrashed around on the bed, tangling the sheets around her as the dream interfered with her ability to get a restful night’s sleep.

She woke with a start, a thin sheen of perspiration covering her, her breath still coming in deep, rapid waves.

“Fuck what was that?” she said aloud.