“And you found this out the day after you got engaged? That’s horrible.”

“So when you saw me that day, I was running home in tears like a little girl.” Tina stabbed at her salad with a fork. “Not my proudest moment.”

“So he’s sending you flowers to try to get you back?”

“Not exactly. I mean we haven’t totally broken up yet.”

Bette’s eyes grew wide. “You mean you haven’t kicked his sorry –”

Tina shook her head with a wry smile. “Nope.”

“Wow. You really do love him, then.”

“I do.”

“Enough to take him back after what he did to you?” Bette said. “It’s none of my business, but –”

Tina shook her head. “I haven’t taken him back yet. I just… miss him.”

“Well missing him doesn’t mean you have to forget about what he did.”

“I wish I could. I wish things could go back to how they were before I found out.” Tina toyed with her water glass for a moment. “It’s barely been a week since I found out. I just don’t know what to do.”

“I can’t imagine how you must be feeling.”

Tina shrugged. “It sucks,” she said simply. “But there are worse things.”

“So. You have no idea what you’re going to do, huh?”

“Nope. I keep trying to think it through, but…”

“Want some advice?”

“Yeah.”

“Stop thinking about it,” Bette said. “The answer will reveal itself in time. Don’t try to force a decision right now.”

Tina slowly smiled. “Easier said than done.”

“I know. But you’re not doing yourself any favors rushing into a decision, either way.”

“You’re right. I’ve been in my own head too much. It’s good to talk to someone else about it. Thanks.”

“That’s what I’m here for,” Bette said with a conspiratorial air. “You’re my first and only friend in this town,” she added. She dropped her eyes and glanced at Tina shyly. “We are friends, right?”

“Of course we are,” Tina confirmed. “And if you want to know the truth, you’re the first friend I’ve made here, too.”

“Yeah? Well then, it’s my duty as your friend, newly-minted or not, to help you deal with this. If nothing else, I can help you get your mind off things for a few days.”

Tina raised an eyebrow. “Sounds interesting. What did you have in mind? Nothing too crazy, I hope.”

Bette smiled craftily. “I’m sure you can handle it.”

“Don’t be too sure,” Tina said, giving a short laugh. “I work in a book store. That’s half a step up from librarian and no less tragically boring.”

“There’s more to you than meets the eye,” Bette said. “I know what they say about the quiet ones.”

Tina laughed again, feeling a genuine sort of happiness for the first time in days. She had deprived herself of female companionship for far too long. It was great to have a girl friend again.

Bette raised her glass. “To new friends and repressed memories,” she said.

Tina’s smile slipped a little and she clinked her glass against Bette’s. “To new friends.”