As the weekend gets closer, I keep telling myself going out with Mark will be no big deal. Thomas and I are friends, and he's hundreds of miles away doing God knows what in his free time.

He still texts me every day to talk about how he's doing and to show me pictures of the place he has been to, but apart from that, we haven't really talked about anything serious. So, when by ten pm I haven't heard from him yet, I shoot him a text.

Lisa: Just wondering if you're still alive...

I wait for a good fifteen minutes and when I don't hear anything from him; I take a shower and get ready for bed.

The next days go by in a blur and still no word from him. When Friday comes, I'm more than worried and wondering if he's okay. I've been checking my phone every five minutes, so when it starts ringing in the middle of the day, I rush to answer. Only to see it's Ethan.

"Hello," I answer, my heart beating way too fast.

"Lisa girl! Are you ready to party?" he asks, making me frown.

"Party?"

"It's Carlos's birthday tomorrow and we're all going to a club. I thought you'd like to come along. Nobody can dance the night away like you."

"Oh, yeah! Sorry, I won't be able to take another weekend off so soon. But thanks for inviting me," I say, not mentioning my date with Mark tomorrow.

"Really? Well, that's okay. Maybe next time, then."

"Sure! So, uh, have you talked to Thomas?"

"The last time I talked to him was on the day after his trip. Why? Is everything okay?"

"I'm sure everything is fine. We've just been texting back and forth every day and... I sent him a text the other day but I haven't heard from him..." I feel my cheeks getting hot. Maybe I'm just being silly. He's probably busy.

"Oh, I can try to see what's going on."

"Nah, that's fine. I'm sure he's just busy and he'll get back to me when he has some free time."

"Lisa..."

"Yeah?"

"It's not like him to ignore anyone. I'm sure something happened, and that's why he didn't get in touch with you. Maybe the reception where he is-

"Really, Ethan! It's fine. I was just wondering. But I'm sure he's fine.

"Okay. Call me if you need anything, though. I have explicit orders to keep my hands off of you, but at the same time, I need to be there for you if you ever need anything."

"Oh, is that so?" I feel a smile forming on my lips.

"Yeah, but I'd be there for you, anyway. You're good people, Lisa girl!"

"Thanks, Ethan." I chuckle. "You're a really nice guy, too."

"You're welcome. Talk soon."

"All right, see you."

Talking to Ethan helped me put some of my worries to rest and made me realize how silly I was being. I'm sure Thomas is fine.

*****

Saturday night is finally here and as I get ready for my date with Mark, I force myself to stop thinking about Thomas. Mark is offering me something new and refreshing. A date. He said he's been into me since we met, so I'm sure he's interested in more than a good time together.

Not that Thomas hasn't really tried to make a move when we first met, but he's never, not once, hinted about the possibility of us being together for real, not just for sex. He's amazing and someone I really admire, but as he said, with our record of relationships, we'd fuck up the friendship we have in two seconds.

So why do I feel like I'm betraying him in a way?

When I'm ready, I look at myself in the mirror and I'm glad about what I see. I tied my hair in a messy but cute bun on the top of my head. My make-up is simple but flawless. And my new black sleeveless dress fits me well. I confess I had to go to two shops, so I could find something for tonight, but now that I'm ready, I'm happy with the result.

Mark said he would pick me up at seven, so since I still have some minutes to kill, I decide to send a message to Alexia to let her know about my plans.

Me: So... I have a date tonight.

Alexia: Wait, what? Thomas is back already?

Me: No... I have a date with Mark, actually.

Alexia: Mark, as in Lucas's best friend Mark?

Me: Uh... yeah?

Alexia: I'm calling you.

Oh shit!

"Am I in trouble?" I answer after the first ring.

"Well, you tell me. Since when are you and Mark are a thing?" she asks, clearly confused.

"We're not a thing. He's just... He asked me out last week when he gave me a ride from your place and... I said yes."

"You said yes? Just like that?"

"If you're not okay with us going out, I'll just tell him-"

"Lisa, please! You know me better than that! There's nothing wrong with you guys going out together. I'm just surprised. Mark is great and so are you. I just never realized he was really interested. He's a flirter and a joker, sure, but I never thought he was serious about being interested in asking you out."

"Hold on! He told you he wanted to ask me out?"

"Yes." She sighs. "I just thought he was joking around, but now.."

"Now what?"

"Well, he might have said he really likes you..."

"What the hell, Lexy?"

"Sorry, it was a couple of weeks ago... I told him you'd deserved more, like a real man and everything... and he said he agreed. That you were a nice girl, and he really liked you... that if you ever gave him a chance... you know."

"Holy Shit! I had no idea he was into me until he asked me out."

"So, what are you going to do now?"

"Well, we have a date tonight."

"You don't sound too excited."

"I am. I mean, it's Mark. But I feel like I've been going with the flow for so long when it comes to relationships that maybe I deserve more than just... you know... sex."

"You do deserve more! You deserve so much more, Lisa." I hear her sigh on the other side of the line.

"But? I chuckle because I know her that much.

"I just thought you and Thomas..."

"Thomas is amazing. One of the best guys, you know? But our lives are so different. It's complicated. He has all these big dreams, and his home is the world. I can't see him settling down with a family and working an eight-to-five job. It's not like him."

"And do you want to settle down and have a family? I feel like I got into a dream zone and someone abducted my kick-ass best friend."

"Hey, can't I kick ass and still get my man in the end?" I ask, startling when I hear the buzzer.

"God, I lived to hear that!" She laughs, making me smile.

"Yeah, yeah! Now you can die in peace. Look, Mark is here. I'll text you later, okay?"

"Have fun. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"Right!" I laugh before hanging up.

"Hey." I press the buzzer.

"Hi there. Are you ready?" Mark asks.

"Yes. Give me a second." I get my clutch and take a deep breath as I head downstairs.

Mark is leaning on his car, wearing a pair of black slacks and a dark blue button-up shirt. His dark hair was shorter and his face freshly shaved. A look that is completely different from the jeans-and-rock-band-shirt kind of guy I'm used to seeing.

It doesn't matter what he's wearing, though. Because he's definitely attractive. His skin is tanned, and his arms are strong from being working with his hands all day. But what gets me is the way his chocolate eyes give me a not-so-subtle once over when he sees me.

"You look beautiful." He walks to me and kisses my cheek.

"Thanks. You're not so bad yourself."

"So, are you ready? I have a reservation at L'Atelier."

"Oh, fancy!" I smile as he opens the door of the car for me.

"How was your day?" he asks once we're inside.

"I have a huge order coming, so I'm kind of working nonstop. It's nice to have a break, though. What about you?"

"Things are doing well at the shop, too. I'm looking for a new mechanic right now. I think I understand working nonstop."

We keep making small talk, and soon we're parking and being guided to our table. I have never been to the L'Atelier, and the place is as beautiful inside as it is outside.

Mark is hilarious and super outgoing, so we talk the night away. I learn he's an only child like me, and that the car shop he owns belonged to his dad, but after his parents retired, he started running it on his own. We talk about everything and nothing and soon he's paying the bill.

We're waiting for the valet to bring his car when I feel my phone vibrating in my clutch. I take a deep breath and try not to look so eager as I unlock the screen.

Thomas: Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. Long fucking story! I know it's late for you, but can you talk?

I didn't know I was so tense until now. It looks like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulder with his text.

He's fine. Thank God.

"Hey, are you okay?" Mark touches my shoulder.

"Yeah." I send Thomas a quick text before turning to him.

Me: I'm out. Can we talk later?

"The car is here." Mark holds my hand, and I give him a small smile.

The trip back home passes in a blur, and out of respect to Mark, I purposely ignore my phone vibrating all the way home. So, when Mark walks me to my front door, it all seems surreal. I'm having a date with a really nice guy, but my mind is miles away.

"I had a really nice time," I say.

"I'm hearing a but there..." He caresses my cheek, making me sigh.

"You're great, Mark."

"We could stop there, you know?" He comes closer but makes no move to kiss me.

"I don't want to lead you on. My heart is a mess right now... You're amazing, but..." I look into his eyes.

"Can I kiss you good night?"

"Mark..."

"That was not a no." He touches his nose to mine, allowing me time to pull back. When I don't, he presses his lips to mine. The kiss is fast and sweet and when he takes a step back and looks at me, we both know it's goodbye.

"I'm sorry." I bite my lips, my heart squeezing tight in my chest.

"Hey, no need to apologize. I promised it was up to you to decide where we'd go from here." He caresses my cheek, before putting an even bigger distance between us.

"Are we good? For real? I don't want-"

"We're good. I promise." He gives me a sweet smile.

"Thanks for the wonderful night. I'm just... my heart..."

"I get it. See you around, Elizabeth." He winks at me and walks to his car.

I wait until he's driven away and I'm safely inside my bedroom to check my phone.

Thomas: You're out? Like out, out?

Thomas: Are you alone?

Thomas: Just text me, so I know you're safe.

Thomas: I know I sound like a stalker, but I'm just worried.

Me: Hi, I'm fine. Sorry, I was on a date.

_____

A/N: And now we know where her mind is... Miles away in South Africa. ;)

How do you think Thomas will react?

XOXO

- Celeste