Leslie sat on the kitchen stool and stared in amazement as Allison scurried over the stove full of hot pots and pans.
"I don't want it to sound like I'm complaining," Leslie said as she took a sip of tequila, "but I honestly don't know how my payback rain-check dinner turned into you coming over and cooking this extravagant meal."
The chef flashed her a grin. "I'm Italian on my mom's side. And my grandmama always said that if you give an Italian woman a kitchen and mouths to feed, you give her a piece of heaven."
"You must eat fantastic every night."
She winced. "Well, cooking just for myself doesn't qualify as heaven. So this is a treat for me. Plus, I'm not about to go to a restaurant with both of us looking like the losing team of some ultimate fighter match."
Leslie shrugged. "Say what you will. I thought we would've gotten excellent service, whether out of pity or fear."
"Yeah, but a restaurant can't beat this," Allison declared as she came over with a serving spoon of steaming red sauce and held it up to the other woman. "Here. Tell me you feel Little Italy on your taste buds."
Leslie gamely took a sip of the offered sauce and then broke out into an impressed smile. "Okay, you win! You got my taste buds' full attention and anticipation."
Allison just looked pleased as she did a check that every pot and pan could momentarily be left alone. She then took a sip of wine and gave her a curious look. "So are you doing okay without your live-in nurse?"
Leslie reluctantly nodded. "Yeah. Devon as sexy nurse was great in theory but she does sexy way much better than nurse."
"But you two are still solid relationship-wise, right?"
"Oh yeah! I mean, I know where she is this time. After all, she did it all for her Dad and his new home is now where she is. You can't fault that kind of devotion."
Allison took a sip and then conceded with a nod. "It does sound noble. So does that mean you're going to finally meet the man?"
Leslie blinked as the thought occurred to her for the first time. "Yeah, I guess that's coming. I've never done well with in-laws. The parents of my previous girlfriend were all smiles and presents when we were together but they definitely jumped for joy when she and I broke up. Both times."
"Ouch. That's another thing that doesn't make me excited about getting back into the dating game. My entire picture with Gil was perfect. From great in-laws to him working at home as a consultant so he could be the Mr. Mom while I be Dr. Dad."
The comment stunned Leslie as she felt an emotional ache that she had thought had been long buried.
"You want children?" Then she realized how odd that sounded since Allison never said or did anything to indicate otherwise. "Sor-sorry I didn't mean to sound so shocked. I just didn't view the whole picture of what losing a fiancé really means."
Allison gave her a sad smile. "A boy and a girl. Maybe a third if my mom and dad have their way. That was the plan… And if I think about it, that's probably what will finally get me back into dating. I want kids but not by myself."
"Yeah, th-that's completely understandable," Leslie admitted as she finished off her drink and started to pour herself another.
"Okay, Chica," Gabby's voice came from the cell phone, "The limo's booked. They'll pick us up starting at seven and we have dinner reservations at eight. And for the record, you and Devon aren't paying. The rest of us will split your shares."
"Sounds good. Thank you," Leslie answered numbly as she sat on the couch and pressed the remote control for the next channel.
"… Leslie, are you okay? You sound a little less than excited given what we're talking about."
"Oh, it's not that," she responded. Not able to shake the low-burning glum mood she had been fighting for the past couple of days. Since after her dinner with Allison. "Gabby, I need your honest opinion about something."
"Of course. What kind of honest?" Though her tone sounded chipper, her concern was clearly evident.
"BFF honest. Think you're up for it?"
"BFF, hit me."
Leslie took a fortifying breath and then just blurted, "Devon won't let go of the idea that there's something going between me and Allison. No matter what I say."
"Really?!" Gabby was clearly surprised.
"I don't know where she's getting it from. I mean, you've seen me and Allison interact more than she has. Do you think we act inappropriate? Like even on the remotest level?"
"No! Hell, you and I flirt more than you and her."
"Exactly! That's what I'm thinking! But Devon instantly felt threatened by Allison. It started the instant they met in the hospital… I mean, yeah Allison and I obviously have some things in common than Devon doesn't but she doesn't know that. It's not like that kind of stuff just – just shows."
"Do you think it's because Allison's single? I mean, does Devon act like that about any of your other single friends?"
Leslie thought about it for a moment and shook her head even though this was a phone call. "I don't know anyone else who's single right now. But then again, when we go to parties or clubs, she's always at my side so there's no opportunity for anyone to get ideas that I'm even remotely available. And I sure as hell don't playful flirt with other lesbians. That's just an open invitation for dyke drama. I even told Devon that I have absolutely no interest in straight women because of my experience with Clare."
"Is that true?" Gabby now sounded bewildered.
"Well, no, but I threw it out there just to make her ease up. I mean, I feel like we're not in rational land so I don't need rational reasons."
"Have you talked to Allison about this?"
"Uh, no. It's embarrassing enough to talk to it about you. I mean, I don't think there's anything she can do. She's not doing anything now. So short of her not speaking or making eye contact with me, I don't know if it can be helped. And if we're going to act like there's an invisible wall between us all night, well, that'll just make it seem like there is something there."
"Yeah, I hear what you're saying. And you're right to leave Allison out of it. Okay, well, thanks for letting me know. I'll play intervention on birthday night if I see anything that could be a red flag moment. You feel better now?"
Leslie thought about it and smiled in that it could be heard in her tone. "Yeah, I am. Thanks, BFF!"
"Of course, Chica!"