“Okay, which one do you like best?” Dana asked, stepping back from Alice’s coffee table where she’d artfully displayed seven paper and envelope combinations.

“This isn’t really my area,” Shane frowned, rocking back on her heels.

“Shane, she’s not asking you to get married, she’s asking you to pick paper for her wedding invitation,” Alice said.

“That’s still a little too close for comfort,” Shane said with a smirk.

“I like the one with the deckled edge, Dana,” Tina said, running her fingers lightly over a cream-colored sheet. “That’s my first choice. The one with the flowers pressed into the paper is my second pick.”

“Thank you,” Dana said, beaming at Tina.

“I’m surprised Tonya’s letting you make this executive-level decision without her supervision. Something this important could mean the difference between years of happiness and a lifetime of misery,” Alice said sarcastically.

Dana narrowed her eyes at Alice. “Look, if you don’t want to help, fine,” she said.

“Dane. Wait. Tell me again what the difference is between this one and this other one,” Shane said, stepping forward to pick up two samples, holding them in front of her as if they were live snakes.

While Dana began a lengthy and detailed explanation of paper weight, texture, and color, Tina motioned to Alice to follow her into the kitchen.

“What are you doing?” Tina asked quietly.

“I’m being passive aggressive,” Alice pouted.

“And you’re doing a really good job of it.”

“I can’t believe they’re still going through with this farce of a wedding. Tonya is a manipulative, scheming *****, and everybody, including Dana, knows it,” Alice sputtered.

“What else?” Tina asked.

“Money-grubbing, status-seeking, celebrity hound?” Alice added.

“I don’t mean Tonya. I mean you.”

“What about me? I’ve told Dana what I think of this three-ring circus and she doesn’t want to hear it. She’s made that abundantly clear on several different occasions.”

“I know that you’ve told Dana how you feel about the wedding. Believe me, we all know how you feel about the wedding. But have you told Dana how you feel about her?” Tina said gently.

“Hmph. We’ve talked. It didn’t change anything.” Alice opened the refrigerator door, choosing that moment as the perfect time to inventory her condiments.

“Did you tell her you’re in love with her?” Tina asked.

“Close enough,” Alice muttered.

“Al,” Tina said, coming up behind her friend and closing the open refrigerator door. “Dana’s buying wedding invitations. Tonya’s booking a caterer. They’re going to be choosing silver patterns any day now. It’s time to take off the gloves.”

“I’m supposed to spill my guts on the ground so she can dance a tango all over them?” Alice crossed her arms in front of her chest.

“Something like that,” Tina smiled.

“Shoot the moon? Go for broke?”

“Alice,” Tina said, arching an eyebrow.

“What if I tell herwhat you said beforeand she decides to be with Tonya anyway?”

“Then at least you’ll know you tried,” Tina said softly, biting her lip.

“I don’t know, T. I don’t know if I can do that,” Alice sighed.

“The question is, can you live with yourself if you don’t do it.”

“Uh, guys? I could use some help out here,” Shane said, popping her head into the kitchen.

Tina put her arm around Alice’s shoulders and gave her a quick squeeze. “We’re coming,” she said.

“Good. Because next on the agenda is choosing their wedding song, and I can’t be the final word on that,” Shane said, shaking her head.

“What, Guns N Roses doesn’t have something for every occasion?” Alice asked.

“Shane!” Dana called from the living room.

“Guys,” Shane said.

“Okay, okay, you big sissy. Come on,” Alice said, bustling out of the kitchen.

“Everything all right?” Shane asked Tina.

Tina paused for a long moment before looking up at Shane. “Yes. I gave Alice such good advice that I might have to follow it, myself.”

“Excellent,” Shane said.

“We’ll see.”