She picked up her fork and said, “Then I guess we better start because this portion is huge.”
“You got lucky, this is small. You should see what I get when I come alone. She must think I never eat.”
“I’d burst if I had to eat more than this.”
“But one bite and you won’t be able to stop. Trust me, they are the best.”
Funny, trusting him seemed to be something she was doing. He really didn’t seem like a bad guy. She wondered why Uncle Max wanted her to stay away from him. Maybe because he’s nice and Uncle Max doesn’t like nice people. That very well could be the reason. There was another option. One she didn’t want to think about. Assholes can pick out other assholes in a crowd.
She really hoped Charles wasn’t like Uncle Max. Rosslyn really could use a friend in New York City. Could that be Charles? Probably not. He didn’t seem like a friends-only type. Then again, was there anything wrong with wanting something more? As long as they were both in agreement, and neither set any expectations, what was wrong with having a bit of . . . fun.
Rosslyn snickered to herself. Cause you’re not the casual anything type Rosslyn. You’re the all or nothing type. She knew she couldn’t date someone like Charles, but Charlie on the other hand, he had potential.
“You seem to be enjoying your food.”
She looked up from her plate. “Sorry, I was just thinking of something.”
“I figured because her lasagna never made me laugh before. Care to share the joke?”
She felt her cheeks warm. “Not today.”
Charles grinned. “I like that.”
“That I won’t share it?”
He shook his head. “Not today makes me hope that we will do this again sometime. How about Friday night?”
Charles was asking her out. A planned date. What if he wanted to take her to one of those fancy places like The Choice? She didn’t have a huge wardrobe to pick from. And she really wouldn’t enjoy herself either. But she did want to see him. “If it’s here again, I’m in.”
That eliminated the need to shop for something new. Something she couldn’t afford. Any money spent out of her pocket was less going home to her parents.
“It’s a date. But I suggest you not eat anything that day. Friday nights she goes all out.”
Rosslyn smiled. “Then I’ll be sure to wear stretchable clothing too.”
“And comfortable shoes. If it’s nice, we can take a walk around the neighborhood. They always have some music playing somewhere. No official bands, just . . . well, you’ll see.”
She really was looking forward to it. Rosslyn was missing the comforts of home, and Charles somehow was giving them to her. “Sounds nice. I’m really not into all the hustle and bustle of the city.”
“Where are you from?”
“Alexandria Bay.”
“I’ve heard of it. Never been, but I hear it’s beautiful.”
“It is. I love being near the water. My father owns a small marina repair shop. He can fix just about any engine there is.” At least he had until her mother became too sick to be alone. Rosslyn was staying home and helping out all she could. And they had a certified nursing assistant come in a few times a week as well. But her mother couldn’t be left alone anymore. Her dementia, yet just another horrible side of the Parkinson’s, had gotten worse. For some unknown reason, she became angry when Rosslyn tried to help her. It broke Rosslyn’s heart, but it was best for her parents that she not be there as often as she had been. So all that was left for Rosslyn to do to help was make enough money so her father could afford to stay home and care for her mother.
“And here you are, out chasing your dreams in the city,” Charles said.
She shook her head. “No. But it pays the bills. Guess that’s why we all are here, right?”
Before he could answer, Mama had returned. “Looks like you both enjoyed your lunch. Should I bring over coffee and dessert now?”
Rosslyn didn’t have any room, not even for dessert. “Nothing for me. I couldn’t eat another bite.”
Mama put her hands on her hips and shook her head. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”
Charles said, “Actually Mama, we need to get back to work. Do you think you could package up two to go?”