“What’s taking so long?” Waiting for a refill, Shane glanced around the café as The Planet’s staff crisscrossed through the room, carrying tables, chairs, sound equipment and what not. “What are they doing anyway?”

“Wow, you’re really out of the loop these days, aren’t ya?” Alice snickered and finished what was left of her coffee. “Kit’s having this really cool girls-only party tonight, do you mean you’re not even coming? You have to!”

“I can’t, I already have plans,” Shane replied without even looking at her friend. She felt bad about not being able to be there for Alice who hadn’t taken the recent break up with her girlfriend Tasha very well, but she just couldn’t do what Alice wanted her to. She had something special planned for tonight.

“I knew it!” Alice sat up straight in her chair and her eyes shone, eager to figure out whatever juicy details Shane was keeping from her. “I totally knew you were seeing someone! There’s no way you wouldn’t be, it’s been ages since you and Paige broke up. Now spill it!”

Shane shot Alice an annoyed glance and shook her head. “I have stuff to do at the house.”

“Yeah right. As if you’d stay at home for a reason like that on a Friday night. You’re up to something.”

“I’m not. The house is a mess and someone needs to do something about it or it’s just gonna stay that way.” Shane smiled mischievously, knowing that there was no way Alice would never agree to what she was about to suggest. “If you don’t believe me, you can always help me out.”

“Hah… Thanks for the offer, but I think I’ll pass.” She paused for a moment to think, and then lit up. “I can always ask Jenny if she wants to come with me tonight.”

“No no no no!”

“What? Why?” Alice stared confused at Shane who was shaking her head furiously. “Why not?"

“Nuh-uh. You’re not calling Jenny, she’s helping me tonight and you’re not gonna talk her out of that.”

“Whoa, when did you guys become so boring?” Stretching out her arms, Alice let out a deep sigh. “You’re worse than Bette and Tina were and you’re not even a couple.”

“Well, what are you gonna do about it?” Shane asked with her brows furrowed, trying to repress a chuckle. “Come up with another intervention questionnaire? ‘Cause I don’t think I’d be up for that. Jesus Christ, Alice, just ask Papi or Helena or Tina or whoever.”

“Hola, chicas!”

“Speak of the devils,” Alice replied as Papi walked up to them with Helena in tow. “We were just talking about you two. Hi!”

“Aight, you guys are coming here tonight?” Papi replied looking from Alice to Shane and back again as she pulled out a chair and joined them. “Kit’s workin’ her butt off to make sure it’s the party of the year, you don’t wanna sit this one out!”

“I wouldn’t, but this one’s gonna,” Alice said with a nod in Shane’s direction. “She’s planning on staying home to clean the house and be boring with Jenny.”

“Well, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do!” Papi shrugged. “Ain’t that right, Vanilla?”

Papi still hadn’t gotten tired of the nickname she’d given Shane several months back when they first got to know each other, and Shane was just about to reply in the same manner when her phone started ringing. She took it out of her pocket and saw Jenny’s name on the display.

“Excuse me,” she mumbled and got up to answer it. “Hey, Jen! -- Yeah, I’m at The Planet with Alice, Helena and Papi. -- Do you know when you’ll be home tonight? -- Okay, I’ll see you back at the house.”

She lowered her voice and turned away from the others before she said the last few words.

“Yeah, I love you too. Bye…”