Charles laughed. “It’s good to let it out every once in a while. Just next time don’t take on a car. They usually win.”
“I was more worried about the man. He really was upset.” Rosslyn shivered with the thought of what could’ve happened if Charles hadn’t backed the guy down. “I’m not sure I thanked you.”
“If I hadn’t stepped in, I’m sure someone else would’ve.”
She wasn’t so sure, but she hoped he was right. “Well there won’t be a next time. I’ll never be so reckless again.”
The taxi came to a halt and Charles said, “They also have the best pasta here too.”
She hadn’t been paying attention to where they had gone, but obviously they weren’t in the city any longer. “Is this a diner?”
“It is.”
“How on earth did you ever find this place?” Rosslyn asked.
“A college buddy of mine. His parents own it. Heck, his parents are the cooks. Everything is homemade.”
As soon as they entered, a short well-rounded older woman called out. “Charlie. I was wondering when you’d be back.” Then she peered around him and gave Rosslyn the once over. With a bright smile she asked, “Ah. Who is this lovely creature?”
Rosslyn felt as though she was walking into someone’s home instead of a restaurant. Now this I like. “Hi. I’m Rosslyn Clark.”
“Well Rosslyn, any friend of Charlie’s is a friend of ours. Come. Sit. I’ll get you some lasagna and garlic bread.”
She didn’t wait for them to respond before heading into the back. Charles asked, “How about the table in the corner?”
Rosslyn looked over. “It says reserved.”
“That’s because it’s held for family and friends.”
She noticed it was the best table in the place, secluded yet you could see everything. As they waited she said, “Guess you’re not getting your cheesecake today.”
“Oh yes we are. But you have to eat first. Mama’s rules. No dessert before lunch.”
Rosslyn giggled. “I’m sure she would make an exception for Charlie.”
He cocked a brow. “You’re not going to start calling me that too, are you?”
“I don’t know. I kind of like it. Not so stuffy. Charles is a serious name but Charlie . . . well he likes to have fun.”
Charles laughed. “Stuffy? Well I guess that does describe me.”
“Charlie, you are not stuffy. Sometimes a bit too serious, but not stuffy,” Mama said as she brought them their food. “Now how about a glass of wine?”
“Not for me. Maybe water with lemon?” Rosslyn said.
Mama shook her head. “Now who is stuffy?”
Rosslyn smiled. “Wine would be wonderful, thank you.”
“Mama, not so much food. We are trying to save room for your famous cheesecake,” Charles said.
Mama looked at Rosslyn and said, “She is all skin and bone. You need to feed her more. Then you have dessert.”
Mama left them again at the table. “She means it too.”
Rosslyn said, “That I’m too skinny?”
“No. That we’re not getting dessert unless we finish our lunch. She’s tough.”