Matthew had wanted to talk to Tom for two days now, but there had been no opportunity to do so and he was starting to feel uncomfortable. However, now that they were finally in the apartment at the same time Matthew didn't want to wait any longer to tell his best friend that Mary had asked him out.

To say that he was surprised when Mary asked him to go to her mother's fund-raiser dinner with her was an understatement. He was sure he had looked dumbfounded at that moment, because he would never have expected it in a million years,but at the same time he was thrilled, that he could not deny. He had met her for a few times now that Sybil was living with them and the more he saw of her the more he was fascinated. He really wanted to know her better.

If only it hadn't been for her history with Tom ...

At least it was history, since Tom said they broke up a few weeks ago, but still ...

Tom had been so withdrawn the last few weeks, burying himself in his work and barely speaking more than a few words. He ran with Sybil every morning, but aside from that he seemed absent-minded and serious. It was atypical for him and Matthew was worried there was more behind the Mary and Tom story than Tom had shared.

Still there was no other way to find out than asking him directly. So when he found Tom alone, sitting on the sofa, reading on his e-reader, not working for the first time of what seemed like an eternity, Matthew knew he had to tell him now.

"You've got a minute, Tom?" he began.

Tom nodded and turned off his e-book. "Sure, what is it?"

Matthew drew a deep breath. "Mary asked me to go to a fund-raiser dinner of her mother's with her."

To his relief Tom didn't seem to be shocked. "Oh, did she?" he said smiling slightly. "Do you like her? I thought you might."

He sounded interested, but not mad at all and Matthew felt better immediately.

"Yes, I guess I do. Well, she came to visit Sybil a few times during the last weeks. It always seemed to happen to be when you were away for work. We talked a bit and well ... did you know she went to the same uni as I did? We even had some of same profs a few years apart, so I didn't meet her then. Well, anyhow a few days ago she asked me to accompany her to the fund-raiser."

Tom raised his eyebrows, confused by this confession. "And?"

Matthew sighed. "And I thought I should mention it to you. I don't want to meddle or anything ... I mean you told me you broke up, so I hope you don't mind?"

Tom chuckled. "No, I don't mind at all. It's none of my business. You're, as always, much too considerate, Matt."

Matthew let go of the breath he hadn't been aware he was holding. "Good ... good to know."

He studied his friend closely. "I know you said so, but I just couldn't help noticing that you haven't been yourself lately. I mean you're really becoming a workaholic and I thought that maybe I didn't understand your relationship with Mary."

"No," Tom said, his face suddenly serious. "It's not that. Certainly not." He glanced at Matthew who was still looking sceptical.

He put his hand through his hair and sighed. "Look, I swear it has nothing to do with Mary. Really, all I've told you about her and me was true. I know I've been a bit ... distracted the last few weeks, but that was for other reasons."

"Reasons you don't want to share?"

Tom shook his head. "No, not yet.. It's ... complicated. I think I need to figure it out on my own first."

xxxx

"Hmm, something is smelling really good, here!"

Tom turned around from the front of the stove and grinned at Sybil who had just entered the kitchen. His heart skipped a beat like it did every time he saw her lately and he couldn't help noticing how lovely she looked. She had her hair open and was dressed casually in pale blue summer dress, but in his eyes, she was breathtaking especially since the colour of the dress seemed to accentuate the blue of her eyes.

"I hope it tastes good, too. I just mixed a bunch of things together that looked good together. "

"I'm not worried," Sybil said, stepping behind him and looking over his shoulder. "I've loved everything you've made so far. You are most certainly the best cook in this family." She took a spoon and tried to get a bite, but Tom patted her hand away.

"No, no, no. You'll have to wait till it's done."

"But I'm so hungry!" Sybil pouted and batted her eyelashes at him. "Please? Just a little bit?"

Tom smiled and shook his head. "Nope. You can set the table. That will keep you busy and make you forget your hunger." He took her by the shoulders and turned her in direction of the cupboards.

Sybil chuckled. "No fair, and that when I had such a day today. I got the results for my finals..."

Tom stilled: "And?"

"I did it!" Sybil beamed, turned around and hugged him enthusiastically.

Tom relished in the feeling of holding her close. For a split second, he allowed himself to bury his face in her hair before he sternly reminded himself to let go of her.

"I knew you would," he smiled at her, still having his hands on her arms. "In fact I was so sure of it, that I cooked this dinner and ..." he opened the fridge and pointed to a bottle of champagne, "bought this to celebrate you being officially a foundation doctor."

Sybil was touched. "Aw, Tom, how sweet of you! You're the best!"

She went to the cupboard and fetched the plates to set the table. Suddenly she remembered something. "Matthew texted me to ask if I passed and he mentioned he won't be here tonight. He has a business dinner and since it is only five minutes from his mother's, he's decided to stay over and pay her a visit. He said he hasn't seen her for a while so she will be delighted to have him there."

She went to another cupboard and got forks and knifes. "So it will be just us to celebrate," she smiled.

Tom turned around to the stove so she couldn't see his shocked face. He had waited for such a moment, hadn't he? He desperately wanted to talk to her about his feelings and at the same time he was terrified. Their usual morning run didn't seem the right time to talk, but dinner and champagne certainly were.

This is it.