Page 110 of Between Regrets and Promises

Caleb

Hey, want a ride to circle tomorrow night? I’ll be in the area after meeting an out of town friend and can swing by?

I read his message twice, wondering how I’m going to break the news that I’m not going.

Sophie

Actually, I’m not going tomorrow night. I have plans and think the last time was my final meeting.

Caleb

Oh. Too bad, I was hoping to see you this week.

Sophie

I’m sorry. Is everything okay?

Caleb

Yeah, all good. Don’t worry about it.

Shit, now I feel bad. His loss is much greater than mine, and he’s not been dealing with it well, not that I expect him to, but he’s used to leaning on his support team.

Sophie

What is it, Caleb? You can tell me.

Caleb

It was my anniversary this week. Just a tough time.

Sophie

I’m so sorry.

Fuck.

“What's wrong?” Mason asks after I release a deep sigh.

“It’s Caleb,” I say slowly. “He’s asked me to go to circle with him tomorrow. I told him I had plans and wasn’t going back, but I could tell something was wrong and finally got him to tell me. It was their anniversary this week. I feel guilty I won’t be there, but I don’t want to miss our date.”

“What time does it start?” he asks.

“Six.”

“And it’s an hour, right?”

“Yeah, usually done at seven.”

He shrugs, and I appreciate the fact that he’s not saying anything rude about him. “That should be okay. We can have dinner when you get back and do the rest of what I have planned afterward.”

“Really?” My heart lurches, and I pull him in for a kiss. “Thank you. I’ll make sure to pay you back later.” Flashing him a wink, he grunts.

“Don’t be a tease.”

Snickering, I shake my head at his overexaggerated agony and type out a message.

Sophie

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