“I want you to tell me that you’re going into this with your eyes wide open. That you understand what you’re asking of her. That you’re prepared to fight for this relationship instead of running when it gets hard.”

Tina set down her wine glass and looked directly at Jaylyn. “I spent ten years regretting the biggest mistake of my life. I’m not going to spend the next ten making the same mistake.”

“And if she says no? If she doesn’t want to try again?”

“Then I’ll respect that. But I’ll also know that I was brave enough to try.”

Jaylyn studied her for a long moment, then nodded slowly satisfied that Tina was in this for the right reasons. “Okay. Then let’s talk logistics. Because if you’re going to do this, you’re going to do it right.”

As they began discussing the practical aspects of Tina’s plan, Tina found herself thinking back to the moment she’d first realized her feelings for Bette went beyond friendship. The memory was so vivid, so painful, that it still made her chest ache.

**Flashback – Tina’s 17th Birthday Party**

The party was in full swing at the Kennard house, the backyard filled with friends from high school. Tina had been looking forward to this night for weeks – her first birthday party since starting her senior year in high school

But now, standing by the kitchen window, she felt like she might throw up

Bette was by the pool, talking animatedly with Sarah Palmer – tall, blonde, effortlessly beautiful girl from their class. They were standing close, too close, and as Tina watched, Sarah leaned in and kissed Bette softly on the lips and watched as Bette placed her hand around Sarah’s waist pulling her in close as their kiss deepened

The glass in Tina’s hand slipped, crashing to the kitchen floor

“Shit,” she muttered, kneeling to pick up the pieces, trying to ignore the way her hands were shaking.*

“You okay in here?” Jaylyn appeared in the doorway, having heard the crash.

“Fine. Just clumsy.” Tina’s voice sounded weird, even to her own ears.

“Uh-huh.” Jaylyn grabbed a broom and helped clean up the glass. “Want to tell me what’s really wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong. It’s just…” Tina glanced out the window again, where Bette and Sarah were now holding hands. “I guess I won’t have a best friend anymore.”