What happens in Vegans Definitely didn't stay there

Chapter 13: Paper Rings

Sylvie sees a proposal, is invited as a plus one, and supports a friend through a breakup.

They'd ended up in Molly's again, as felt like their usual date night for the past few months. They'd go for food, go to a sports game or see a movie, then end up in Molly's for a few drinks before going home. This time when they went in there was a very clear divide between the members of Antonio's team. Ruzek and Kevin sat at one end of the bar, and Erin and Kim were at the other. Antonio squeezed her hand and kissed her cheek before going to the guys, while Sylvie decided to see what was going on.

"Hey, anyone want anything?" She asked, taking the empty seat. Erin shook her head while Kim was quiet, her eyes red. Sylvie shot a look at Erin, who nodded.

"What's going on, Kim? What happened?" She looked at Kim who swallowed deeply before speaking.

"I gave Adam back his ring. We're done." The tears started, and Sylvie looked at Erin who nodded, a silent conversation going between the two of them.

"Give me a minute, sweetie, ok?" Sylvie went over to where Antonio was talking to Herrmann at the bar. Things were still strained between the two men, but they were making an effort for both Gabby and Sylvie to get along.

"I need to leave. Kim needs her friends right now, and she's too hurt to be in the same room as Ruzek so we're going back to her apartment. I'll text you when we get there." Antonio turned and looked at her, confusion clear.

"She gave him back the ring."  With those words his eyes widened and he nodded. They hugged, Antonio kissing the top of her head as they separated. The three women went outside and got an uber, arriving at Kim's one bedroom apartment less than fifteen minutes later. It was half packed up for her impending move in with Adam, and Kim's tears flowed freely as she took in the boxes and packing tape strewn around the room.

Sylvie pulled out her phone and ordered Chinese food before pulling a bottle of wine out of Kim's fridge. The three glasses were filled and brought to the coffee table, where Erin was holding the younger woman as she sobbed.

"I still love him. I love him and I want to be with him, but there's no way we can be together. He kept ducking on all the important moments. He said he wanted it, but he wouldn't even meet my Mom. So I gave him back the ring but I miss it." Her howls of pain broke Sylvie's heart, and she  sat on the other side of the sobbing woman, helping hold and comfort her.

When the doorbell went she opened it, grabbing the Chinese food from the delivery driver and leaving a tip. The three women ate, watching as Kim got drunker and talked more about her issues with Adam. By the time they finished eating she'd drank most of the wine, and it took Erin and Sylvie to get her into bed.

"Go home, Brett. I'll make sure she's ok overnight. Sorry you spent your date night dealing with this," Erin said, flicking through the TV channels.

"I got to watch the Bulls lose to Golden State tonight, so it was a wash anyway. Will she be ok?"

"Yeah. Ruzek had been screwing up for months, he kept pushing the date and not wanting to set plans. I think this was the straw that broke her, he volunteered for a raid instead of meeting her Mom." Sylvie cringed at the idea.

"I know mothers in law aren't great, but seriously? She's the best thing that was gonna happen to him," Sylvie replied, putting her coat on and preparing to brave the January weather.

"Yeah. Let Antonio know she's home safe with me, ok? And text when you get home."

Once her uber arrived at her apartment, she texted Antonio and Erin to let them know. Antonio's response was a video of Herrmann attempting to cheer up Ruzek, while Ruzek saying that it was his fault she hated him and he'd never have anyone as good as Kim again. She smiled wearily at it, going to bed before shift the next morning.