''Can I go home to think this through?''

''Of course, it's not actually that busy today and you have our numbers.''

Toby hurried home because not only did he need to think about this, more importantly he wanted to talk about this. With Domini. But when he came home he didn't find her. She was not in his apartment, which was cleaner then when he left. She didn't leave a note or anything, just cleaned and disappeared. Maybe she's out for a walk or something, but it didn't feel like that. She showed up out of nowhere and now she was gone.

This should simplify his decision but it doesn't. Is she gone? Will she return? If she's really gone it should be easier to decide to go out with Sheila or her mother but her not physically being with him at this moment doesn't change how Toby feels about Domino and why would it? This is bad, he wanted to talk to her about this, see what she thought, ask her advice and now he can't. After much deliberation he decides to text Sheila his answer.

To Sheila:

Sheila, I've thought a lot about what to do and what to say. I can't go out with you or your mother because I already have feelings for someone else. While I don't know if these feelings are mutual I can't go out with one person as desire another. We've been good friends for years now so on my part it would feel awkward to go on a date with you anyway. I hope this doesn't cause to much trouble and I truly hope you find someone you can be happy with. Cheers, Toby.

Send.

It feels odd to end such a serious text with their usual greeting, but when times are a'changing it's important to hold on to things that don't change.__