One week had passed, and Henry mentioned he needed to go on a business trip. He asked Liz if she wanted to join him. She didn't want to leave. However, she replied that unfortunately, she couldn't take time off from work these days. Penne was also going to be away this week, and they couldn't both be gone at the same time. "I'll be without a boyfriend and a friend all at once. I'm going to be very sad this week. I'll call you often and try to resolve things as quickly as possible and get back to you."
"Are you going alone? Or is your assistant going with you?"
"No, this time it will just be me."
"Why? Are you jealous?"
"I didn't know you were jealous."
"I am. Very jealous. And you know Zoe likes you."
"Don't worry. She already knows we're dating and she also knows I've always been in love with you. Just you."
He hugged and kissed her, saying he already missed her. "Oh, and I almost forgot. You're not going out alone either. I'm very jealous too." And he left smiling. "I'll be back as soon as possible."
The next afternoon, Piter called inviting her to lunch together. "Alright, let's go. I'll see you at 1 o'clock at the restaurant next door. It's been really tough to get away this week."
"Okay." She sent a message to Henry letting him know she was having lunch with their friend.
Arriving at the restaurant, Piter was already waiting for her at the table. He greeted her with a hug and a light kiss on the cheek. He pulled out her chair for her to sit down. He asked what she'd like to drink. She asked for just water and they were about to order their food because she had a lot of work to finish, especially with Penne being away, leaving her with even less time. "Alright then. I should have invited you to dinner instead..." he said, smiling. "But I guess now you wouldn't accept, having dinner with me, knowing the news."
"When were you going to tell our friends?" Liz replied. "I did mention to Penne and Henry about planning to go out and share this with our dear friends all at once. But this week got complicated. A lot of work to finish, and Penne and Henry are away on business too. So as soon as they're back, we'll definitely invite them. So don't be sad with me," Liz said, smiling at Piter, who looked at her and said, "That's impossible. You know I like you a lot too. But I missed my chance, didn't tell you my feelings. So I respect that and want you two to be very happy together. Just don't drift too far away."
Liz looked at him awkwardly and said that would never happen. "After all, we've been friends for so long. And you're very dear to me, and to Henry too. What a shame, I have to get back to work. But I'm glad you invited me to lunch. With Penne and Henry traveling, I ended up without a boyfriend and a friend all at once. Thank you very much. As soon as they return, let's make plans to go out together."
"Can we go now?" Liz asked. "Yes, of course. I'll take you." Piter replied. "No need, I walked here, it's right next door. I'll walk you there anyway." "Alright." They walked and talked. He dropped her off at the office and went back to the restaurant to get his car.
Arriving there, he saw missed calls and messages from Henry. She called him back and apologized, she had left her phone in the office. They had lunch and she had just returned because her schedule was packed. "Did you send messages and call me? Is something wrong?"
"No, just wanted to make sure you were okay. But you knew you'd be having lunch with Piter, and he already knows we're dating, so don't worry. You're my boyfriend, remember?"
"Do you know when you'll be back? I miss you already. Come back to me soon. I'll call you tonight then. Love you." Henry said goodbye and hung up.
Days passed and Penne came home. Liz was making a snack for her. "Make one for me too." Liz hugged her and said she had been missed. The house was empty without her loud laughter. She said she would make another snack to tell her everything about the trip while they dined. "I'll just take a shower and then come down to tell you everything. While you set the table for us."
"And Henry? Do you know when he'll arrive? He hasn't told me yet. He thought he'd sort things out quickly, but I think there were some problems only he could solve. I miss him already. And I've missed having you here too. You two can't be away at the same time." They hugged and talked late into the night before going to bed.
Liz's phone rang, it was Henry. "Good night my love, just called to give you a goodnight kiss and hear your voice for a bit, tell you how much I miss you. I believe I'll be back in a couple of days."
"I thought you'd already grown tired of me and found another girlfriend there."
"Don't joke about that. I've never wanted to come home more than now. Sorry for leaving you alone for so long. It'll happen again, we can't avoid it."
"But don't worry about me. Penne just arrived. At least I'm not alone anymore. Piter even invited me to go out with the group, but I was too tired. I preferred to come straight home. And besides, you weren't here with me, so it wouldn't be fun anyway. I'm going to bed now, dream of me. I'm going to hang up. We'll talk tomorrow."
"I dream of you even when I'm awake. Have a good night, my love. Dream of me too. We'll be together soon." And they hung up.
Morning came, Liz was finishing getting ready to go out when the doorbell rang. Penne asked her to answer as she was just getting into the shower. When she opened the door, there was Henry with beautiful flowers in his hand.
"I couldn't wait. I arrived and came straight here so we could have breakfast together." Liz impulsively hugged him and he kissed her warmly. He handed her the flowers and said how much he missed her. She invited him in, as they were still at the door. She finished setting the table. Penne came down and joined them.
Liz said, "If you had taken one more day, I would have found another boyfriend. You left me very alone..." laughing a lot. Liz looked at her, sighed, "I didn't say any of that, what if he believes you?" Henry looked at Liz and said he trusted her, and she knew these trips would happen again, and it would be much better if she went with him. He thought a lot about her. "Penne's talking nonsense. But I even missed her bad jokes. And they all laughed, but Henry was holding Liz's hand so tightly and then lifted it to his face and kissed it in a very affectionate gesture."
Penne said she was already leaving for the office. Liz said she would go with Henry, so they could spend more time together. "Yes, Liz will come with me and we'll go out for lunch, dinner, whatever's possible. I just wanted a little time to be with my girlfriend. So tonight we go out to dinner. Now, take me to work?"
"Yes. Let's go." Liz grabbed her bag and they left. He left her at the office, but reluctantly. He kissed her and left after she entered.
That night they went out to dinner, went to the movies, and later he took her home. They entered and stayed talking. Penne said Nick had been there with her and had just left. She was going to bed, they could stay. She said good night and left. Henry and Liz stayed a little longer, then said goodbye and he left.
On Saturday they all went out together: Liz and Henry, Penne and Nick. They met Piter, Zoe, Molly, and another couple they didn't know. Everyone greeted each other; Piter came over, shook Henry's hand congratulating him and hugged Liz and Penne, and lastly Nick. Zoe greeted everyone and congratulated them on the relationship. But Penne noticed Zoe looking at Liz with disapproval.
They all sat down, ordered drinks, and talked. Liz occasionally felt Piter and Zoe staring at her. Zoe didn't even try to hide it, looking at Liz and Henry at the same time with disapproval. Penne also noticed the situation and tried to disguise it. After a while, Liz asked Henry to take her home, as she was a little tired. They said goodbye and left. Penne said she would go with Nick soon.