“Excellent.”

Dana continued to play with her muffin, which was now crumbled into small bits all over her plate.

“I know that she’sdifferent,” Dana said, not meeting Bette’s gaze. “But she justshe thinks I’m sospecial. Likehot and ***** andspecial.”

“Honey, you are special,” Bette said, touching Dana’s forearm across the table.

Dana cleared her throat, hesitantly looking up at Bette. “I’m not like Shane. I haven’t had women fainting over me my whole life. But for the first time there’s someone who feels that way. Tonya looks at me like I’m thisstar, or something. And I like that feeling. Maybe you don’t understand that or maybe you think it’s wrong, but”

“Dana,” Bette interrupted, leaning in. “Of course I understand. I almost lost my marriage because of that feeling.”

“What do you mean?” Dana frowned.

Bette shook her head and sighed. “That’s how Candace looked at me. Like I wasextraordinary. Exceptional. It was more complicated than that, of course, with everything that was already going on between Tina and me. But when Candaceindicated that she was interested in me, it was exciting. And it made me feel exciting.”

“SoI meanyou and Tina are back together now, right? Doesn’tis being with Tina exciting?” Dana asked, her entire face a mask of confusion.

“Yes, Tina and I are back together. And yes, being with her is very exciting. But it’s much more than that. It’sit’s home. Tina knows me better than anyone else. All of me. And somehow, she loves me any way. With Candace, I was thisfantasy. She didn’t know anything about me. Not the real me. So in her eyes I was this perfect person. And what’s more alluring than having someone think you’re perfect, right?” Bette smiled wanly.

“But”

“But that’s not real,” Bette said firmly. “Because nobody’s perfect. And once that fantasy of perfection is over, there’s not a whole lot left. Not unless there’s a strong foundation underneath. Love and respect and friendship andtrust. And knowing each other. There’s nothing more amazing than being loved-really loved-by someone who truly knows you. Not just some fantasy version of you.”

They sat in silence, Dana playing with the crumbs of her muffin, and Bette staring into her empty mug.

“Look. I don’t mean to lecture you, Dana. And I’m certainly not the resident expert when it comes to relationships. But before you promise away your forever to someone, make sure it’s the someone you want to spend the rest of your life with. If you really believe that Tonya is that person, then I’m happy for you and I wish you all of the best. But if you think there might be someone else out there who wants to truly know and love you? Then you might want to reconsider this wedding.”

“You’re so lucky, Bette,” Dana said quietly. “You and TinaGod. I justI don’t know if I’ll ever find what you have.”

Bette smiled. “You never know. It might be closer than you think.”