"Soon" ended up being two weeks later. With Anthony and Simon being swamped at work and Benedict being clingier than usual, they had found it hard to co-ordinate schedules. But thankfully, they managed to find a Saturday that worked for all three of them.
Which was why Kate found herself outside Anthony's apartment, waiting on Simon to join her so that they could go in together. It wasn't that she was worried about being alone with Anthony. They'd been friends for so long that she didn't need to worry about awkward silences or a weird tension hanging over them.
Well, that was normally the case anyway. But over the last few months, Kate had noticed Anthony pulling away more.
First, he had stopped turning up to the monthly get togethers that Benedict insisted on having, claiming scheduling issues or meetings he couldn't get out of. The offer to move the get together fell on deaf ears, the group having to get used to the idea that there would be one less person every month.
And then, he'd stopped texting as much. Kate knew that he was a busy man, that he'd normally stay at the law firm until late at night and arrive early in the morning. But it had always been that way. It hurt at first to have to hear about any of Anthony's successes from Simon or Benedict, but she had slowly gotten used to it.
However, she knew that if she walked in there alone, there was a very good chance she might do something she'd regret.
Sighing impatiently, she pulled out her phone and opened her messages with Simon.
Simon Bassett
Kate Sharma - Are you here yet?
Kate Sharma - I'm waiting outside Anthony's door.
Kate Sharma - His neighbour keeps coming out and giving me weird looks.
Simon Bassett - Why don't you just go in?
Kate Sharma - Haha very funny
Kate Sharma - Seriously are you here yet?
Simon Bassett - Yeah about that…
Kate Sharma - Simon
Kate Sharma - Please tell me you're at least on your way
Simon Bassett - I'm afraid not
Simon Bassett - Lady Danbury decided to let Harold manage today's shift and well
Simon Bassett - I have to go and sort it out
Kate Sharma - Why can't Lady Danbury?
Simon Bassett - Because it's a Saturday and she has book club on Saturdays
Simon Bassett - Also because she scares me and I don't want to ask her
Kate Sharma - Fair enough
Kate Sharma - I guess we can just postpone today then
Simon Bassett - Or you and Anthony could sort out a plan
Simon Bassett - It's not like the plan relies on me or anything
Kate Sharma - Simon the last time Anthony and I came up with a plan we ended up engaged
Kate Sharma - Do you seriously trust us to not screw this one up?
Simon Bassett - Last time you guys had the help of something called tequila
Simon Bassett - Kate, you're a teacher and Anthony is a lawyer
Simon Bassett - I'm sure you can come up with a semblance of a plan that doesn't include anyone dying or getting married
Simon Bassett - Shit
Simon Bassett - I have to go
Simon Bassett - I left Harold unattended for five minutes and I just heard a crash
Simon Bassett - Good luck
Kate Sharma - Good luck to you too
Kate sighed and pocketed her phone, mentally cursing Harold from the bar as she knocked on Anthony's door. The door opened quickly, taking her by surprise as she was greeted by Anthony's face.
"I wasn't standing by the door or anything," he hurried to explain. "I was tidying when you knocked and happened to be putting my coat up."
His panicked expression and hurried explanation caused Kate to chuckle slightly.
"And here I thought you were eager to see me," she teased as he moved to let her in. She immediately looked around Anthony's flat, surprised by how- little there was to it. It held all the basic necessities: a sofa, bed, desk, kitchen equipment and she assumed a bathroom; but there was nothing about it that screamed Anthony.
Turning round, she was met with Anthony's sheepish expression and instantly knew where his head was it.
"I know it's not much," he began, "but I'm only really here to sleep and eat. Most of the time I'm either at the office or at Mum's. I didn't really feel the need to decorate to be honest."
"I like it," she commented, trying to appease him slightly. "It's nice."
"Thanks."
So much for no awkward silences.
"So…" Kate drew out, shoving her hands in her coat pockets. "Should we get started?"
"Don't you think we should wait for Simon?" Anthony asked, already grabbing his laptop and heading over to the sofa.
"Simon has had a 'Harold' issue and can not make it," Kate explained, taking a seat next to Anthony on the sofa. "I tried to tell him that we should postpone as the last time you and I made a plan together we ended up engaged but he refused. So, here we are I guess."
"Yeah, here we are…"