She hadn't booked a flight yet. She paused her rash actions to think a bit. She had to tell Lamont and Trevor where she was going. This was important that a day or two could be spared. It'd be fine on the work front because nobody really needed her breathing down their neck, and Trevor... He has his work, he'll be fine. Probably too busy.
Well, she wouldn't know that one unless she called him.
"Hey. I was just about to call you."
It was already nighttime and she'd sent a text to Lamont because he wouldn't answer the phone, so the person to try to talk to next was Trevor.
"Really," she said, sat by the dining room. She didn't have anything in front of her, except for a bottle of wine. No surprise there. Honestly, nobody supported her business more than her.
"You don't sound...good. Are you okay?" he asked, concern in his voice.
"I called to tell you something."
"Okay..."
"I was about to book a flight home."
He let out a surprise gasp. "Home?"
"Yeah. I'm going home soon. Tomorrow or next."
"Uh, why? Is something wrong?"
She sighed, looking down into her glass of wine. "Something almost was. My uncle had a heart attack and Andrew told me he was asking for me. So I think it's time I just go back home and see them. Even if it's for a day."
Because what if something worse happens now? She'd never have spoken to them, left in wonder and filled with regret. She didn't need that. She had to suck up whatever guilt she had. If not now, then when?
"Wow," Trevor said. "That's actually...great."
"I just wanted to tell you so you don't worry or anything."
"Then...thank you for telling me. I'd offer to go with you, but I think it's best you go alone. Next time we could go together."
She smiled. "We could. I'd like that."
And after a few more words, of partly Trevor offering to pay for her flight and them telling each other the sweetest words possible, the call ended. Which left Tina feeling better than ever before.
***
He'd planned to take her out, but when she told him she was leaving, he knew he had to push that back. Considering what Mike told him recently, it was best to let her be. She'd deal with her family and he'd deal with his. Having a heart attack was a serious issue anyway, because if it were his dad, he'd leave too. The only thing he could do was support her in any way he could.
Having nothing to do, he agreed to Mike's text that they needed to hangout. Spending time with his best friend was going to make the time pass quickly. He had to spend as much time as possible with him before he travels for some random thing or to see his girl. He pondered on how their friendship would be if he leaves to get married. Would he stay here or go to her permanently?
He sighed, shaking his head as he got out of his car to the fancy bar his friend asked to meet at. He had to get out of the melancholic by getting a drink. Or two. Or way more.
Walking inside, he was bombarded by the bright lights, the sound of glasses clinking, and the sound of chatter. The scene made him remember when he and Tina met at the bar after her cousin's wedding. When she was being insulted and harassed by that man.
Yeah, not a very fond memory of his.
"Hey, bro!" he heard, just as he was about to call his friend. A few people looked at his direction briefly before returning their attention to whatever they were doing. Except a few women who saw Trevor and gasped a bit. It was obvious that they liked what they saw.
Mike had a wide and bright smile on his face, which was an indication that he'd already started drinking.
"Hey," Trevor said after sitting down by the far end of the bar where his friend sat. It was far away from people and more spacious. And just all-round nicer. He was grateful for his friend at that moment.
"Want me to order for you?" Mike said, patting him on the back.
He shook his head. "I already ordered before I came to sit here."
"Alright. So I asked to meet here because I thought it'd be nice to leave the house even if it's just for a moment. Get some really good alcohol in our system."
"We have alcohol at home, but sure."
Mike ignored him as he continued, "I'm kinda sad, you know. I miss my lady. It's really difficult sometimes when she leaves me for work or when I leave for work."
"Have you told her how you feel?"
He nodded, after gulping down a glass of beer. "We've been discussing how we could find a common ground. I don't really mind her leaving because I know her job is important to her and mine, me. But I just miss her, that's all." Then he added, "The video calls are great though."
Trevor had to admire his friend's maturity. It wasn't easy having your partner miles away from you because of work. Maybe the distance was what made him miss her so much. He wondered if he'd still feel the same way if they were always in the same city, in the same house, same room. That wasn't how it was with his parents and yet, they still loved each other.
"Here's your order, sir."
He raised his head to meet the unfamiliar one of a waitress. He didn't remember seeing her, but he couldn't complain. As long as he got his order.
She offered him a sly smile after she placed his drinks on the table.
He frowned a bit. "Uh, did you-"
"Yes, I saw that," his friend interrupted, nodding. "She's probably going to try to give you her phone number before we leave. Her and a few other ladies." Then he sighed. "If only Suzie were here."
Trevor rolled his eyes. "Oh, get a grip. I lived years without Tina. You should learn from me."
"And you looked like a zombie althrough. No thanks." He added, "Besides, you lost your mind when you saw her again. And you couldn't even stop yourself from being with her after all your promises... You're not the role model for me."
Trevor opened his mouth to counter him, but realized he had nothing to say. His friend was right.
He only shook his head as he poured himself some beer, raised the cup and clinked glasses with his friend. They could both cry about their ladies being faraway, because his was. And he kinda missed her too.