“Oh yes, please,” Tina’s eyes lit up with hope.

“I’m on it, Tina.”

Tina knew that working in the office today was out of the question. Bette was all she could think about. She called in, notifying Aaron that she’ll be working from home. The gang decided to stay with her. Carmen had a DJ gig later that night at the Planet and had nothing else the rest of the day. Shane didn’t have any appointments scheduled for the rest of the week. Alice was a freelance writer and all she cared about at the moment was how to reach Professor Kroll without raising any suspicions. Kit checked with her baristas, making sure everything was working smoothly and urging them to call only in case of emergency.

Tina really appreciated their efforts to cheer her up but she felt guilty for keeping her friends away from their lives. “Guys, you don’t have to stay and watch me being miserable.”

“Bette is our friend too. She would’ve wanted us to be here for you and help you in any way,” Shane replied.

“Yeah, and you are our friend, Tina. You can always count on us,” Alice smiled warmly.

“Thanks, I love you, guys. I’m really glad I don’t have to pretend in front of you how I really feel. I’m so miserable,” Tina began crying again.

Kit went into the kitchen to make fresh coffee and breakfast. Shane and Carmen sat down on the sofa to comfort Tina. Alice began calling her contacts to find out what Professor Kroll was up to, so she could get some information.

Tina couldn’t stop crying. She knew that tears won’t help and all she could do was to wait and have hope that Bette will come back. She knew she needed to keep busy to survive the next three months…or at least that’s what everyone always said. Tina didn’t want to keep busy. All she wanted to do was to shut the world out and stay in her dream world, where Bette and she were happy, in love, together.

“It’s all my fault,” she said when she finally stopped sobbing.

“It’s nobody’s fault, Tina,” Shane rubbed her back. She looked at Tina and asked, “Do you believe in destiny?”