THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR

We got to the restaurant and squared ourselves up. It was highschool all over again. Oh well, might as well get over with it.

"For Mona's sake guys." I reminded everyone under my breath.

"Yeah, don't embaress me. We are having the time of our lives in Gate City. Fred and I are totally in love. Marco has a D-cup gorgeous live in girlfriend, and Serene's got guys fighting for her attention at every corner." Mona briefed as we walked up to the restaurant entrance.

"What?" Fred pretty much gasped out. Mona linked arms with him and patted the front of his shirt.

"F***." Marco cussed under his breath, "What did you do Mona?"

"She was showing off so much, it was all I could do." Mona said.

I sighed, "Really, Mona?"

"Yeah, well yours was made up by Shelly, she was all like 'And I suppose Serene has all the guys fighting over her there too.' so I said yes." Mona admitted, "But don't let it get into your head."

Why would I let something made up like that get into my head? I sighed.

"Okay Mona, but you're gonna owe us for the rest of your life for this." I told her.

"Fine, you can be my maid of honor when Fred and I get married." Mona said.

"You're delusional." I said.

"I'm not the one waiting for her werewolf soulmate." Mona snapped back.

Arugghhhh I should have known I couldn't trust her with that secret. But I had told her to assure her when we started college that I wouldn't set my target on Fred after Shilem and I broke up.

"Smile, we're here." Marco said, his very plastic smile on.

"Mona! So good to see you!" Shelly called out across the restaurant. Mona made a show of untangling herself from Fred's arm and sailed over to exchanged air kisses.

"I knew you were the only one who could bring these two eligible bachelors to the dinner table." Shelly said.

"We're taken." Marco said quickly.

"Yeah..." Fred agreed, nodding a little too quickly.

"You should have brought your girlfriend." Shilem told Marco, "what's her name again?"

"None of your business." Marco answered.

"Shelly tells me you're quite popular at Gate City too." Shilem said to me, "You were welcomed to bring your plus 1."

"It's kind of far and he has work." I said.

"I'm sure you could have asked anyone else." Shilem said.

"I guess. But I don't date more than one guy at a time, unlike someone I know." I couldn't help it. I guess I was still mad at him.

"This is going to be a long night." Marco muttered. I kicked him from under the table.

But from the non-reaction from the rest of the table, I realised the reason for our sudden break-up wasn't known to the others.

Oh well.

The restaurant had two levels, with pool tables and a bar on the second floor. It was pretty nice and I think I'd take Harvey here after whatever event he needed to attend at the Red Packlands this weekend... And then I realised that after Mona's texts, he might not want me as a plus 1 any more.

Oh well, it was good while it lasted. I mean, I was totally over him a long time ago. I really was.

I was such a liar.

I think I might need to go to the ladies. I excused myself. Mona excused herself to come with me. And then Shelly too. She didn't even give us a head start. I guess she didn't want to give us even a single moment to confer.

But because of her presence, my urge to burst into tears quickly gave way to a general air of impatience.

Sigh. Marco was right, it was going to be a long night.

"Are you still angry with Shilem?" Shelly asked me, "You couldn't blame him. A guy's got needs you know."

I gritted my teeth. I had a curfew. But the curfew probably saved me from a hell lot of trouble too. I was honestly glad I wasn't with Shilem now. I've grown so much in the past years apart from him.

"We were way too young." I said tightly.

"But now we're not young anymore. It's about time to settle down." Shelly said, "Looks like its just the three of us who haven't gotten married yet. Ironic that the three prettiest girls in school are also going to be the last to marry. Even Sally married last year!" Shelly lowered her voice to a staged whisper, "I'm not sure if you would recognize her now, she's put on quite a few pounds lately."

I tried hard to place one of the faces at the table as Sally. I honestly couldn't. It felt like it have been that long. I could only vague recognize a few people at dinner tonight. We were really as good as strangers.

"I heard Shilem talking to his dad about marriage this morning." Shelly said, "Oh my god. But hush, don't tell him I know."

"Yeah, Freddy and I have been talking a little too, but I kept telling him to wait till I've gotten that management position I've been working so hard for." Mona informed us.

"Oh you career girls, always putting your work in front of your love life." Shelly waved it off, "You need to be careful, don't want to be left on the shelf past our expiry, you know?"

I hated that expression.

I pretended to check my mascara and washed my hands. Then I left the washroom. Shelly and Mona followed me out. They didn't even pretend to preen.

"So you dating anyone now, Serene? I could reintroduce you to some of the guys, unless you big city girls look down on us little townfolk now." Shelly offered loudly once we got near enough to our table.

"Yes! Of course she is." Mona answered, "I already told you the guys just keep fighting over her. My god! You couldn't leave her alone in public for a minute before some guy show up and ask her out for coffee!"

I guess Mona was still having a little residual anger about me ditching her that one time when Harvey rescued me from those persistent guys.

Mona took a long, long time to forgive.

I laughed it off, "You're exaggerating."

"No, I'm sure it's true." A familiar gravelly voice intoned suddenly from behind me.

I spun around, "Harvey?"

"Harvey?" Mona gasped and twisted around to double check.

Harvey placed his hand on the small of my back, "Sorry, I'm late. I had to finish some work."

He was close enough for me to smell his minty freshness. I panicked, why was he here?

The waiter got a seat and slotted Harvey next to me, and he was just the best super cool boyfriend ever. It's like he must have read every girly romance in the world and incorporated it into his being.

I'm very sure he wasn't real person.

He asked me what I wanted, and made the order for me. He would notice that my cup was empty and called the waiter to refill it. After that the guys went to play pool and he would win the entire set with one or two trick shots thrown in.

"Sorry guys, I just wanted to show off. I'll pay for the drinks." Harvey ended the game with a wry smile and the guys cheered.

These people were as good as strangers to me. Harvey didn't have to. Not at all. He was wasting his time. I needed to get us out of here quickly.

"Are you two soulmates?" One girl asked.

Harvey shook his head, "Unfortunately not."

"Is the Porsche outside yours?" One of the guys asked.

"Why? Did the parking meter run out?" Harvey asked.

"That's your car? Can we go see it?" So we left the restaurant. Harvey took the tab for the alcohol. I should pay him back later. I sighed.

"Boys and their toys." Shelly rolled her eyes.

"Sweet." Shilem said, "Must have cost you an arm and a leg."

"No, nothing like that." Harvey assured him.

"I know a good club nearby, this time it's my treat." Shilem offered.

The guys cheered.

I shook my head, "I think Harvey and I will go back first."

I grabbed Harvey's arm, the way I saw Mona do it earlier with Fred. I was pretty desperate to leave, but even in my desperation, I noticed Harvey's light minty fragrance.

Harvey smiled and said, "See you on Saturday, Shilem."

And then he proceeded to open the car door for me, saw me in and walked around to the other side, got in and smoothly pulled out of the lot.

"Where should I send you?" He asked.

"My parents place... Ah..." I gave him the address. He repeated it to his phone and let the GPS guide start, "Sorry, I'm not familiar with this town."

"I'm the one who should be apologizing." I said, "I can't believe you drove all the way here."

Harvey chuckled, "I was already in town on business with my Alpha."

"You really didn't need to come anyway."

Harvey frowned a little, "Did I overstep? I apologize."

"No, no, you were perfect. I just... Well... I'll pay for the drinks tonight. And OMG, I forgot to pay for my meal." I realized.

"Don't worry, I settled it." Harvey said, "It's fine. I was nearby anyway. When you didn't answer your text, I was a little worried. I couldn't call through, so I decided to drop by. I figured I owed you that much since you've played my plus one so many times."

"That's what friends are for." I quipped with a dry laugh, "So what's the mission this Saturday?"

"I believe it would be Shilem's birthday. His dad had invited my Alpha to attend, but she has to return to the Green Packlands tomorrow morning. So I would be finishing up some work and attending the party before leaving." Harvey said, "And you? What are you doing here?"

"I came back for a week long vacation and was forced to attend a high school class reunion..." And then I realised, "I should probably tell you, Shilem was my ex-boyfriend. Fiancé actually. And whatever the reason he gives you for the break-up, would be a lie, unless he told you I caught him cheating on me butt naked."

Wow. It was good to finally be able to get it off my chest. I never really told anyone about the butt naked part.

Harvey growled, "S***. I hate him even more now."

I laughed, "It's okay. It was a long time ago. I'm just letting you know in case it pops up."

"Understood." Harvey said, "But that doesn't mean I can forgive him."

Oh Harvey, Shilem was a jerk and he hurt me, yes. But you were the perfect gentleman and you had hurt a whole lot more.

But I just laughed like I always did, and waved it off, "Forget it Harvey, he isn't worth it."