**Two weeks after Bette left for New York**

Tina stood on Jaylyn’s front porch, holding a bottle of wine and trying to work up the courage to knock. She’d been sitting in her car for ten minutes, rehearsing what she wanted to say, how to explain her plan without sounding completely insane.

The door opened before she could knock.

“Are you going to stand out there all day, or are you coming in?” Jaylyn asked, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. “I saw you drive up twenty minutes ago.”

“I was just…” Tina held up the wine. “I brought reinforcements.”

“Good. I have a feeling we’re going to need them.” Jaylyn stepped aside to let her in. “Kids are at Terrance’s parents for the weekend, so we can actually have an uninterrupted conversation.”

They settled in Jaylyn’s living room, wine glasses in hand, the afternoon sun streaming through the windows. Tina had always loved this house – it was warm and lived-in, full of the comfortable chaos that came with three kids and two busy parents.

“So,” Jaylyn said, settling into her chair. “What’s on your mind? And don’t say ‘nothing,’ because you don’t drive across town with expensive wine to talk about nothing.”

Tina took a large sip of wine for courage. “I’m moving to New York.”

Jaylyn nearly choked on her drink. “I’m sorry, what?”

“You heard me. I’m moving to New York. Carson and I both.”

“Tina…” Jaylyn set down her glass and leaned forward. “Please tell me this isn’t some crazy scheme to chase after Bette.”

“It’s not crazy. I’ve researched everything – nursing license reciprocity, schools for Carson, housing costs, job markets. It’s completely feasible.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

Tina was quiet for a moment. “Okay, yes. It’s about Bette. But it’s not just about her. It’s about me being brave for once. It’s about choosing what I want instead of what’s safe.”

“And what you want is Bette.”

“What I want is a chance to prove to her – and to myself – that I’m not the same scared girl who chose the easy way out ten years ago.”

Jaylyn studied her face carefully. “Tina, I need to ask you something, and I need you to be completely honest with me.”