It had been around a year since.. everything. Mike had eventually found a job that pays.. sort of well. But with both you and him combining paychecks together, things are mostly alright. Mostly.

Oh, right! Mike met you! At a job interview, you both just happened to be applying for the same position. You got it, he didn’t. There were no hard feelings because he found something better. A partner (and a different job).

Abby loved you, too. She was a bit obnoxious about it, sure, but you didn’t really mind. At least not most of the time.

And Mike loved you well. He had his own issues, and you couldn’t solve them, but they helped him and he appreciated that fact. This time of the year seemed to be the hardest for him, though. Keeping to himself, not wanting to do much.

It sucked having to witness it.

“We could.. go bowling?” Abby suggested when you asked what the weekend plans were, her head tilted to the side.

“I mean, if you two want to go..” Mike shrugged, his eyes flitting over to meet with yours. Your concerned expression made him instantly look away.

“I’ve got work, like, all week.” He excused lamely, giving a shrug. There was no arguing that. Mike always worked.