After everything that had happened tonight, I had no mood for romance.
I hesitated briefly, then pressed the answer button.
"Jess!" Mike's voice came through, tinged with excitement.
"Mike, I'm just too worn out, don't feel like heading out."
I tried to stay calm, but my voice betrayed my irritation.
"It's all good. The wind's picking up anyway."
"Fancy some grilled durian? There's a vendor nearby, and the stuff looks fresh. Noticed you barely touched your dinner..."
I froze, my response slipping out before I could think, "Aren't you proposing tonight?"
"Proposing?" he repeated, then softly chuckled, "Can't get anything past you."
Guilt washed over me, "Sorry, I didn't realize you had a proposal planned for tonight..."
"Hmm?"
"Who said it was tonight? It's tomorrow! I've booked the restaurant where we first met..."
What?
"Didn't you send Mandy to get me tonight?"
"Jess, don't scare me like that!" Mike's voice wavered, and then he sighed, "I wasn't going to tell you this, but I guess you should know."
"Mandy was in a car accident last night."
"She died at the scene."
