Michael took Holly for a drive at night. He stopped at a park. "What are we doing here?"
"There is a pond. I want to take you there."
"I can't."
He got out of the car and opened her door. "Of course you can. Take my hand. You'll love it here." He opened the trunk of his car and grabbed a blanket and a basket.
"What's all this?"
"We're having a picnic underneath the stars. Surprised?" he grinned.
Holly froze." I'm speechless."
Michael kissed her. "Good. I'll talk enough for the both of us. Let's go."
So they got there, and they ate, and Michael was right. He did all the talking. He told her all about his lonely childhood, how he always wanted kids so he could always have friends. He told her how upset he could when his mom remarried, he was jealous he would lose her attention. He was right. He had to learn how to play by himself. That's when he learned how to tell jokes to get attention.
Holly felt terrible. Michael deserved better than her. He was a good person, she was a bad one. She loved Michael, not Toby. That was just sex. Sex and love had nothing to do with one another. Right?
It would break Michael's heart if he knew what she was doing. But it was like she couldn't help herself. She and Toby had been messing around now for a few weeks, and every time they said it would be the last. Every time Holly saw Michael berate Toby at work it made her want Toby even more. This was a sick game and she needed help. Was it pity sex? Stress relief? Was she jealous of the attention Michael paid him, albeit negative attention? No, she was really messed up.