“Should I text it to you?”

“Sure!”

She recited her phone number, while Tina and Mike exchanged another knowing smile, as Tina shook her head.

“So Mike, what do you have planned this coming week?” Tina asked, after the waiter brought the men’s lattes over.

“Meetings with people from the agency, and I was invited to a barbecue by the director, so that I can get to meet division heads who will also be in town, ahead of our meetings next week.  Gives us a chance to meet in a more casual setting.”

Tom nodded, “Good idea.”

“Well ….too bad that you won’t be able to join us for the barbecue over at Logan’s beach house in the Hampton’s though.  He’s been dying to have you over, Mike.  Wants to thank you for all that you’ve done for Bette.  For me…”

Tom cocked his head to one side, with a question in his eyes as he looked at Mike, who suddenly seemed to tear up, as did Bette and Tina.  Something must have happened here.  Involving Bette and Tina?

Mike gave Tina a small smile, and nodded, understanding where she was coming from.  And where Logan was coming from, also.

“There’ll be other trips.  Other chances.   I do want to see him and all of you, of course.  Maybe next time. And please tell Logan there’s no need to thank me.”

“I’d do anything for Bette.  He knows that,” he choked up slightly as he glanced quickly at Bette, who gave him a heartfelt smile in return.

Tom observed the exchanges amongst the three quietly, sensing the powerful bonds of friendship among them.  As he sipped his latte, he looked over the rim of his cup at each of them, in turn.  He thought it was unusual that Mike hadn’t mentioned Bette and Tina in the context of what appeared to be a serious situation.  But it was clear that they cared about him, and he cared about them, as well as others in an apparently tight-knit group.

Bette turned to smile warmly at Tom.  “Sorry to exclude you for a moment, there, Tom.  It’s just that we haven’t seen Mike in over a month, and …”

Tom shook his head, and held up his hands, “Please, please.  I was the one who crashed this little get-together.  I ran into Mike in Penn Station, as I was seeing off a few of my guys, who were all heading out to see relatives in Jersey.  Awfully glad to see him, as we hadn’t seen each other in years.  He said he was on his way to see you ladies for breakfast, and invited me to join.  We stopped at my hotel, first, so that he could drop his things off, and so that I could get a little something for your little angel over there.”