Carmen cautiously entered the apartment.
"Hey." She said softly.
Shane nodded, lowering her hand to inspect the blood.
"Here." Said Carmen. "Let me."
Shane let Carmen wipe away the blood with a tissue, her actions soft and gentle.
Shane watched as she delicately bit her lip as she cleaned up Shane's nose.
Carmen prodded a little to harshly and Shane winced pulling away slightly.
"Sorry." Murmured Carmen as their eyes locked.
There was silence before Shane pulled away coughing slightly.
"Um. So what brings you here?"
Carmen paused, sitting down on the couch.
"I saw Sarah. You were right, she was drunk. She's booked into rehab."
Shane was surprised. "What about you two?"
Carmen shrugged. "It's for the best. We were never really that good together."
"I'm sorry." Said Shane.
Carmen smiled. "Don't be. We had a pretty bad fight though, we said somethings…
She asked me if I was still in love with you."
"What?" Exclaimed Shane.
"I know" Carmen replied. "She said that she knew you were in love with me and then she got all emotional… Anyway it doesn't matter does it? It's all in the past."
"Yeah." Said Shane as Carmen's heart sank.
Carmen abruptly stood up. "Well, I'd better be going. You've probably got work to do."
"Actually" said Shane "It's my day off."
"Still." Said Carmen as she made her way to the door.
"Carmen." Called Shane.
Carmen stopped but didn't turn as she felt Shane move towards her.
"Yeah?" She replied.
"What was your answer?"
Carmen turned. "To what?"
Shane paused before continuing, "When Sarah asked you if still loved me. What was your answer?"
Carmen's heart fluttered as she watched Shane take a step closer.
"I didn't answer."
Shane stopped. "Why not?"
Carmen and Shane locked eyes as Carmen whispered the tension blanketing the room like a heavy fog.
"I didn't need to. Sarah already knew the answer. Was she right about you?"
Shane nodded taking one last step to Carmen.
Their noses were grazing and Carmen felt Shane's breath on her bottom lip.
Shane's arms snaked softly snaked their way around Carmen's waist as Carmen dropped her handbag.
Their lips met and Carmen moaned.
"Shane. No." she said as she broke away.
"What?!" asked a confused Shane.
"No" said Carmen. "Not like this."
"What do you mean?" said Shane
"It's got to be different. You've got to promise me it's going to be different from before. I don't need you to try," she said pulling Shane close once more.
"I need you to promise."
Carmen looked deep into Shane's eyes and Shane nodded.
"I promise."
Carmen smiled and Shane felt her heart lift as if a lifetime worth of guilt had been taken.
She kissed Carmen rediscovering her mouth and tongue, smirking as Carmen moaned into the kiss.
Carmen broke away and locked eyes with Shane before disappearing into the bedroom.
Shane followed and together they fell onto the bed enmeshed in each other.
Shane broke away and grinned at Carmen underneath her.
"Wait a moment."
She dug in the wardrobe and pulled out a cardboard box. Out of the cardboard box she pulled a picture of her and Carmen.
Grinning at a surprised Carmen as she placed it on the empty bedside table.
Carmen sat up and looked at the picture.
"I think we should wait a little."
"What do you mean?" Asked Carmen.
Shane smirked. "I think we should make it special." She said motioning to the bed.
Carmen smiled wide. "I never knew you could be so sweet. The problem is what to do now."
Carmen grinned as Shane stood up and held out her hand.
"You up for a cup of coffee?" she said "I know the perfect place."
THE END