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"Well, my name is on the building," Daniel scoffed.

"Don't be a smartass, Daniel," Betty warned. "I'm not the one who left without a trace six years ago."

"Sorry . . . You know what, maybe I'm not. What the hell choice did I have, Betty? To hang around knowing I meant nothing more to you than just a friend? To wait for the moment when you said it was okay to take the risk of being together? I can't just turn my feelings off and on when you want me to. I'm not your god damn puppet!" he retorted.

"Damn it, Daniel, that's not fair!" Betty objected. "I told you I wanted to wait because I knew I was busy with my new magazine and I couldn't concentrate on us the way we both deserved. I didn't want to lose our friendship, too. Only you decided it was all or nothing without even giving me a warning. You told me you'd call me and then you disappeared. You went and sulked somewhere because you didn't get your way. If I had known it was an ultimatum, if I had known I would've lost our friendship regardless, maybe we could have compromised. Maybe we could have tried. But I didn't – you didn't let me in. Running and hiding must be your M.O. – you did it with Sofia, and you did it with me twice. You'd think you'd realize by now that it never solves anything. But I guess you haven't."

"Are you done yet?" he scoffed. "You know, I don't think I did that much damage seeing how you were on Page 4 of the British tabloids practically every week with someone new."

"That was for publicity, Daniel. Half of those guys were gay and we were doing each other a favor getting press," she defended.

"Really? Why the hell should I believe you?" he asked.

"I don't know, Daniel – why shouldn't you? We both know I'm a terrible liar. And if that isn't enough proof for you, would it help if I told you that I haven't been able to think about being with any other man after you kissed me?" Betty confessed.

"Good. Maybe now you know what it's like," Daniel snapped and left her standing outside the building.

Betty was completely flummoxed. How could Daniel be so cruel? She was only trying to save their friendship, save them both from heartache. Part of her wanted to call Claire and tell her something had come up and she had to postpone their meeting. But she knew she couldn't avoid the place for forever. And it wasn't like she'd bump into Daniel every day. He had a charity to run. She took a deep breath, entered the building, and took the elevator to Claire's offices.

"Betty! Sweetheart, how are you? I've missed you so much!" Claire greeted her with a warm hug.

"Hi, Mrs. Meade. I've missed you, too!" Betty told her.

"Darling, how many times have I told you to call me Claire?" she insisted.

"Sorry . . . Claire," Betty corrected herself. "I'm great! My magazine is doing really well, and London has so many places to see and things to do -"

"Betty, how have you really been? You can skip the niceties; I have no tolerance for bullshit. I want details on one of my favorite girls," Claire demanded.

"Well, to be honest . . . not so good," Betty timidly revealed.

"It's my son, isn't it?" Claire assumed.

Betty reluctantly nodded.

"I had a feeling," the older woman replied, knowingly.

"I hurt him . . . but he hurt me, too," Betty revealed.

"Sometimes the greatest loves endure the most pain and suffering. You'll find a way back to each other," Claire assured her.

"No, I don't think we will. It's been too long," Betty shook her head. "I don't think Daniel feels the same way about me anymore. Our timing is off – when he was ready, I wasn't. And when I was, he was nowhere to be found. I lost my best friend . . . I lost the man who could've been my last . . . I guess I'll never know."

"He's here right now," Claire told her.

"I know. We ran into each other outside. And trust me, Claire, Daniel wants nothing to do with me," Betty said.

"He will, sweetheart. Just give him time," Claire advised.

"Look at you. You should be comforting your son – not me. Honestly, I wonder why you're even speaking to me after what happened," Betty confessed.

"Because I know there are two sides to every story, and my son can be a stubborn-ass, childish fool," Claire replied. "That being said, I won't dismiss your faults either, Betty. You turned Daniel away when I know deep down you had feelings for him, too. You were so brave at taking that job in London. What were you so scared of with Daniel?"

"Nothing! . . . And . . . everything . . ." Betty admitted. "Mostly of losing him, of losing my best friend. But I guess it didn't matter, because I lost him anyway."

Betty wiped away the tears that fell from her eyes. Claire gave her a tissue.

"Thank you," she said, sniffling.

"It will be alright. Things between you and Daniel will get better. I promise," Claire assured her, patting Betty's hand.

"I hope so," Betty sighed. "I'm sorry I'm such a mess. Seeing Daniel again just affected me more than I thought it would."

"It's perfectly fine, Betty," Claire told her. "Now, about this new magazine . . . I was thinking MODE for the average woman – chic knockoff styles that people can afford and models that look like your average body off the street. Meaningful pieces that appeal to the real lives of women. Women in politics, weight insecurities, sex issues, gender equality . . . anything you can come up with."

"That sounds amazing!" Betty cheered up a little. "And you want me to run it?"

"Yes, I think you and Daniel would make it a true success," Claire smiled as her son entered her office.

"Daniel?! Wait, you never mentioned he had anything to do with this before?" Betty questioned, surprised for the second time that day.

"And you never mentioned Betty to me either!" Daniel protested.

"I know. But I wanted to pitch you the idea separately, and hear what you honestly thought of it, without putting each other into the equation. I'm sorry," Claire apologized. "I hope you will still consider my offer?"

"Of course . . . I'm just not sure about working with Daniel again. We couldn't get along for five minutes, outside. How could we possibly run an entire magazine together, constantly having to work side-by-side day after day?"

"Her working with me? What about me working with her?" Daniel countered.

"Daniel, you did it with Wilhelmina. And you two certainly don't hate each other," Claire pointed out.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Betty scoffed.

"That's – wow . . . ! After everything, you hate me?!" Daniel questioned, incredulously.

"No, you hate me!" Betty corrected him. "You made that pretty clear."

"Betty, I don't hate you. I . . . I don't feel anything anymore," Daniel told her.

"Then you won't object to working with her then?" Claire questioned.

"I still think it's a terrible idea – I mean, it's obvious Betty still has some issues to get over," Daniel observed.

"Oh, come on! Daniel, don't you dare put this on me!" Betty argued. "And who said I felt anything for you either?!"

"You did – when we were talking outside. Look, I'm just saying that it might be hard for you to work so close with me. I wouldn't want the magazine to be compromised because of it," he replied smugly.

"Get over yourself, Daniel. I'm a professional. And I can assure you that that attitude of yours is making you less and less attractive by the minute," Betty scoffed.

"Good, I'll let Maggie know she has nothing to worry about, then," Daniel replied.

"Who's Maggie?" Betty asked, curious.

"Did you honestly think I wouldn't find someone else?" Daniel retorted. "Talk about an ego . . ."

"I never said that, Daniel. Stop thinking you know me, because you don't – not anymore," she claimed.

"I'm not sure I ever did . . ." he muttered.

"What?" Betty asked.

"Nothing," Daniel replied. "So when do we start? Now that we've both established we're professionals."

"I . . . I still have some legal paperwork to fill out on both sides. Plus, I need to officially inform Lindsay Dunne that I'm resigning as EIC of my magazine in London," she answered, still unsure if she truly was ready to jump into this predicament with him.

"So Monday?" he asked.

"Sure. Monday," she agreed, faking a smile.

"Great, Monday it is!" Claire exclaimed. "Betty, here are the forms you need to complete. Now, why don't we go somewhere and celebrate – lunch is on me!"

"I just remembered I have to meet Maggie. You two go ahead," Daniel declined, and gave his mother a hug before leaving. "Betty."

"Daniel," Betty politely nodded.

"It isn't as bad as you think," Claire assured her. "Now, there's a new restaurant a few blocks from here I'd like you to try. Their cheesecake is to die for!"

"Sounds great!" Betty feigned enthusiasm and prepared to go on another emotional binge-eating fest.