“Good for her. I’m glad things are working out so well.”

“Tee. Phyllis just reminded me this morning that she’s having that dinner next Saturday. I’d talked to you about a few weeks ago to arrange for you to keep Angie remember?”

“Yes I recall us talking about it.”

“I know things are different now that we’re together but is that still OK? Phyllis isn’t inviting spouses or significant others. It will be just faculty networking with influential and potential donors.”

“I suppose Leigh will be attending then?”

“Yes. It’s part of her job to help raise money to support the arts programs. Jodi would have attended had she still been in the position.”

“Yeah. It’s fine. Angie and I will find something fun to occupy us.”

Bette could sense something in Tina’s tone whenever she talked about Leigh and decided to just confront her about it before it grew into something more.

“Tee? We’ve talked about Leigh. I can assure you there is nothing going on between us. I need you to trust me OK? That is so important to our relationship moving forward. You know how strongly I feel about monogamy. I am totally committed to you and to us. I would never cheat on you. I have no romantic interest whatsoever in Leigh or anyone else. I don’t think I’ve ever given you reason to doubt my sincerity but I keep getting this feeling from you ever time I mention Leigh’s name.”

“I’m sorry babe. I do trust you. I guess it’s my own insecurity. I’m the one with the history of cheating and being involved in non-monogamous relationships. I know you can’t judge it by my past behaviors but I do share your beliefs and your values. I guess this is one of the things that Emma will need to help me with. I’m sorry if my tone sounded accusatory. I understand that you and Leigh will need to attend business functions where I am not invited. It’s part of both your jobs and I need to respect that.”

“Yeah. I think we definitely need to talk this one through with Emma on Thursday. Tee I need to get going. I have another meeting in a few minutes. I’ll see you at home tonight. I love you.”

“I love you babe. Bye”

Tina felt horrible after she hung up the phone. She didn’t know where the jealousy and insecurity was coming from. Bette was right, never in their marriage had Bette given Tina reason not to trust her fidelity. Tina was the one who had had the affair yet Bette trusted her and she hadn’t even earned it. Bette had made amends with Leigh even before she and Tina reconciled and she’d led Bette to believe that she’d accepted it. Neither Bette nor Leigh had said or done anything to give Tina cause, yet here she was being accusatory when in fact she was the one keeping things from Bette. Tina hadn’t told Bette about her conversation with Kate earlier that day or the fact that she’d contemplated a friendship with a woman that had openly declared that she was in love with her.