Author's Note: I thought it would be a good idea to take a little break from Shane and Steve after all, the story is about Shane and Becky's friendship. Here's a little look at the development of the relationship between these two friends. We'll go back to Shane's first week at the USPS to see how it all started.

A very special thank you to my dear friend and writing mentor Felicia felicia_writes for beta reading this chapter and providing me with great feedback that I hope is making me a better storyteller.

Shane's eyes squinted as she scanned her computer screen studying the parameters of the project she'd been given. Second day, first project. Worried she was in over her head the adage 'fake it till you make it' became her mantra. Once she had a handle on the task at hand, testing a new internal communications system, she felt more confident. On a scale of one to ten it ranked about a four in difficulty and was more tedious than difficult. Excited to sink her teeth into something where she felt confident and could demonstrate her abilities, Shane got busy.

The first phase of testing went quickly and just as Shane hit the start button on the next phase her stomach growled. Gnawing hunger pangs reminded her she hadn't eaten all day thanks to her early morning nerves about the job and meeting Steve Marek for coffee.

Half past one. The current program would take a while to run so lunch was now or never. She grabbed her tuna sandwich and kombucha from the employee refrigerator and went in search of the lunch room she'd passed during yesterday's building tour.

Shane smelled the lunch room before she found it. The odor of fast-food French fries lingered in the air. Trash bins along one wall threatened to spill over with half eaten sandwiches and dirty napkins. Steering away from the remains of other people's lunches Shane went in search of a clean table. Crumbs and smears of ketchup on table tops left her with few choices.

A waving arm caught Shane's attention. Rebecca Starkwell was waving at her from a table toward the back of the room. "Shane, come join me?" Shane looked around the mostly empty cafeteria. Sitting with Rebecca seemed a good option. Rebecca's obvious enthusiasm for the post office shared during yesterday's orientation was contagious.

"Hi Rebecca, I wasn't expecting to see anyone down here." Shane took a seat, her can of kombucha hissing as she snapped open the tab.

Closing her kindle Becky turned her attention to Shane. "Oh please, call me Becky. "My office tends to be a revolving door so I appreciate a little peace and quiet even if it's just a quick lunch. I find this time is best for that. What about you?"

Shane unwrapped her sandwich as her stomach growled again begging for food. "Oh, I got started on my first project and wasn't paying attention to the time. Before I knew, it was half past one."

For someone looking for a little peace and quiet Shane found Becky to be quite chatty which suited her just fine. Shane's curiosity made her more comfortable asking questions than answering them. All it took was one question about how she started working at the post office and Becky launched into a history of her familial ties to the USPS. "My father started as a carrier right after high school and worked his way up to branch supervisor in Alexandria."

Shane's eyes grew wide. "I'm from Alexandria. Did you grow up there?"

"What a small world!" Becky's voice bubbled with excitement. "I grew up in Friendly so not far from you."

Shane snickered at how fitting it was for the very friendly Becky to be from a town named Friendly. Biting into her sandwich she listened as Becky went on.

"I interned in the Executive Program thanks to my dad's service with the post office. Preference was given to children of USPS employees and dad was desperate for one of his children to follow in his footsteps." Becky picked up her mug of coffee and blew on it before bringing it to her lips. She set it down and smiled. "My dad was so happy when I told him I was going through the program. I think it gave him bragging rights among his fellow retirees. After the internship I was able to choose the department where I wanted to work." Becky shrugged. "Human Resources seemed like a good fit for me. I worked at three other branches each one a bit bigger than the one before." Becky began gathering her things putting them in her bag. "About a year ago I was promoted to the main branch here. Now I can't imagine doing anything else. What about you? Why did you join the USPS?"

Shane shrugged. "I didn't plan to work for the post office. I just wanted to see if I could compete for a job in computer programming." Shane's cheeks heated realizing what sounded okay in her head might not sound okay to the head of Human resources. She continued quickly hoping to gloss over her gaffe. "I was working at an art gallery but wanted something different and more challenging. I minored in computer science so when I saw this job I applied more to see if I had what it took to compete for a job in computer programming."

"Shane, listen. I know some scoff at the idea of working at the post office but I've found it very rewarding in its own way." Becky's eyes softened and she patted Shane's arm. "Give it a chance. I know it's not the most glamorous of places to work but what we do really matters."

As the week wore on they met for lunch several more times. Becky's company was comfortable for Shane and easy conversation filled their time. Becky was one of those people you feel like you've known your whole life. Her empathetic nature encouraged Shane to share about her life before the USPS. It had been a long time since Shane had opened up to anyone yet every meeting wore away at the protective shell Shane had built around her heart after her dad left. Slowly Shane opened up telling Becky the history of the McInerney family and all its skeletons.

By the end of Shane's first week she had successfully tested the new communications system having found and fixed several bugs that would have certainly slowed down the implementation process. The positive feedback from her supervisor boosted her confidence and convinced her she'd made the right move when she took the job.

A glance at the clock on the wall told Shane she was running behind. Grabbing her purse and her lunch Shane hurried to the lunchroom apologizing to Becky for being late. "I'm so sorry. I hope you haven't been waiting long." She plopped into the chair across from Becky her heart still racing from the mad dash to the lunch room.

"No worries. I always have my kindle with me to fill the time." Closing her device Becky turned her attention to Shane. "I hear you made quite the impression this week."

"What do you mean?" Shane took a swig from her water bottle.

"The testing you did was supposed to take two weeks and you finished it in one. The USPS isn't known for finishing things ahead of time so that kind of performance doesn't go unnoticed." Becky told her. "You keep that up and you'll be moving up the postal ladder in no time."

"Thank you. It feels good to have this first project finished." Shane finally let herself relax after a week spent staring at code on her computer screen. She'd been desperate to prove herself and it was reassuring to know it hadn't gone unnoticed.

Reaching into her purse Becky pulled out two tickets and slid them across the table to Shane. "What are you doing this weekend?"

Shane's eyes grew wide as she saw the name on the tickets. "These are tickets to the Touchstone Gallery's new show. They're almost impossible to get ahold of. How did you get these?"

"A friend of mine gave them to me." Becky drummed her fingers on the table. "My knowledge of art could fit into a standard sized envelope but you are an expert. I was hoping you'd go with me and maybe educate me a bit?" Becky gave Shane a hopeful look.

Shane picked up the tickets and ran her finger over the embossed name. Touchstone was one of the most well-known galleries in DC. "You know, I applied for a position at Touchstone." Becky's eyebrows raised. "Yeah, I didn't even get an interview." Cleaning, grocery shopping, laundry and binge watching on her iPad could wait until Sunday. Going to an art exhibit with Becky sounded like much more fun. "This sounds great."

15' ceilings, concrete floors, and a bright modern space greeted them at the gallery. Leather leggings and a red silk blouse and Shane fit in perfectly with the contemporary vibe of the space. She chuckled at Becky's blank look as her eyes drifted from painting to painting. Looping her arm through Becky's Shane told her "Stick with me kid. By the time we're through here you'll feel like an expert yourself." Sipping marginal wine from little plastic cups they spent the next hour wandering through the gallery. Shane flexed her art knowledge using words like aesthetic, modern, and expressive. Becky, on the other hand, kept Shane entertained as she gave her own commentary about each piece.

Rain fell softly as they left the gallery. Lacking umbrellas they darted into a nearby bar to wait out the spring shower. The upbeat rhythm of blues music greeted them as they entered. Settled into a booth, close enough to hear the band but with enough distance to carry on a conversation, they glanced at the drink menu. Shane ordered a chocolate martini while Becky ordered a glass of cabernet.

Clinking their glasses to a successful evening of art instruction Shane sipped the decadent chocolate concoction savoring its creamy sweetness. She set the drink down her fingers drawing a lazy circle around the foot of the glass. "So, what did you think of the gallery?"

Becky sipped her wine. "It was interesting. I'm not sure I see what you see when I look at a painting. You, on the other hand, have a different way of looking at things. Precise computer work by day and art lover by night." Raising her glass again she toasted Shane. "To a woman of many talents." Shane smiled and toasted her back.

Shane broached a topic the two had not yet covered asking Becky if she was dating anyone. The immediate flush of her cheeks spoke volumes. Shane giggled. "That look tells me there is someone. Don't hold back…tell me about him."

Becky smiled the smile of a woman smitten. "His name is John Robbins. He's tall, terribly handsome with salt and pepper hair and incredibly kind eyes. He works for a defense contractor so he's gone a lot but he always calls or texts me to see how I'm doing. Becky took another sip of her wine, her eyes dreamy. I've never been with anyone who makes me feel cared for like John does." She fingered the cross hanging around her neck reverently and spoke with conviction. "The best part is that he is a man of faith. I have prayed so long for God to bring me a Godly man and now He has."

Shane flinched when Becky said God had brought John to her. She had long ago given up on God doing anything for her. And bringing her a Godly man? What did that even mean? The thought that God could be bothered to play matchmaker left her skeptical.

If Becky noticed Shane's cringe she didn't let on. "What about you? Are you dating anyone?"

Shane averted her eyes. It wouldn't be a lie to say no. Coffee in the morning didn't equate to dating anyone. "No, not really."

Becky pushed back. "What does 'not really' mean?"

Shane couldn't help but smile. "Well, we haven't been on a date so no, I'm not dating anyone."

Becky pushed a little more. "Let me rephrase the question. Are you seeing anyone?"

Shane chuckled. "Wow, you don't take no for an answer do you? Fine. I've been meeting someone for coffee in the mornings before work. I met him, very briefly, when I worked at the art gallery. It just so happened that he was behind me in line at the coffee cart on my first day of work and he bought my coffee." Heat rising in her cheeks Shane looked away and then back at Becky hesitating. Sharing personal stuff wasn't usually her thing. "He's the one who sent the flowers."

Becky nodded leaning in. "Very interesting. So?"

"Oh, I don't know. I've only known him for a week so not long enough to know each other very well." Shane folded, unfolded and refolded her cocktail napkin as she revealed her first encounter with Steve and the embarrassment of the wine collision.

Becky did a spit take and snorted. "That is not what I was expecting. Oh I wish I could have been there to see that."

Shane couldn't help but laugh along with her. "It really was an awkward experience which is why I was so surprised when he called me by name at the coffee cart."

"You must have made quite the impression on him." Becky said. "So…tell me about him."

Shane's cheeks flushed and thrill shot through as she pictured Steve and the grin that made her knees weak. She took a slow sip of her martini. "He's tall and obviously works out. His hair is kind of sandy blonde and his blue eyes sparkle when he smiles." Shane's eyes glazed over. "He said he works for the government but he wouldn't tell me what he does for the government. Does that seem weird?"

Becky shrugged. "Not really. It is Washington DC. Half the people that live here work for the government and I would say half of them can't talk about what they do. I couldn't really explain to you what John does either other than he works for a defense contractor."

Shane nodded. "You're right. Besides, it's just coffee right?"

Becky nodded and raised her glass to Shane's one more time. "Here's to possibilities."

#####

Shane's stomach lurched as the elevator shook to a stop. Her shoulders relaxed and relief swept through her when she saw it was Becky. Becky's ever perky voice shook Shane out of her thoughts. "Good morning Shane. Did you have your coffee this morning?"

Shane chuckled. Becky was terrible at hiding her insinuation. Sucking in a deep breath Shane blew it out slowly. Tightening her grip on the handle of her bag Shane sighed. "I'm just trying to figure out what the universe is saying to me."

Balancing multiple files Becky punched the number nine sending the elevator up. "I don't know about the universe but let me know if you want to talk while you're waiting for the universe to make sense."

"Actually, do you have time for lunch today?" Shane asked. "One o'clock in the cafeteria?"

"Sure, I'll see you then." Shane exited the elevator thankful to have someone like Becky to talk to.

Shane looked at the time on her computer screen and realized she was due to meet Becky for lunch in a few minutes. She grabbed her lunch from the refrigerator and got to the elevator just as the doors closed. Repeated pushes of the down button did nothing to hurry the elevator back to the seventh floor. Not wanting to be late Shane opted for the stairs. Heels clicking loudly she hurried down wishing she'd have worn lower heels today.

Winded after her impromptu cardio workout down seven flights of stairs Shane fell into her chair. She spent the first few minutes playing with her sandwich while Becky eyed her curiously. Unable to ignore her anymore Shane said "What?"

"Shane, you asked me to meet you for lunch. Tell me if I'm wrong but I get the feeling you want to talk about something or would you rather wait for the universe to say something?" Becky's voice was coated with skepticism.

Shane took a quick sip of her water. "Mr. Coffee asked me to dinner tomorrow night."

"And?" Becky inquired.

Shane put down her tuna salad sandwich clearing her throat. "He asked me to dinner and I said yes." Shane laced her fingers together in an attempt to stop her shaking fingers. "But now I'm so nervous I can barely eat and I wonder if I've made a mistake. I haven't been on a date in years."

"Why would it be a mistake? He sounds pretty great."

Becky made a good point. "He is, or at least he seems to be. I don't know. Maybe I'm overthinking it. I just wish I knew a little more about him."

A look of confusion on her face, Becky asked "isn't that the point of a date? Go out with him, have fun and see if you're interested in him beyond the smile and blue eyes. If you're not you don't go out with him again."

Leave it to Becky to simplify it. "You're right. Thank you. I think I just needed someone to push me out of my comfort zone."

"Don't be nervous. You're beautiful, smart and any guy would be lucky to go out with you. But don't forget I'm expecting all the details on Monday." Becky laughed.