15 Chapter 15

"I hate to cut this short," he sighed, "but my father just called. His in town for just tonight, and he has to meet with me."

She broke a bread stick in half. "Oh, well then you'll have to go."

"I don't want to leave you, but this meeting is strictly business."

"We all have to work," she pointed out with the end of her bread, "and I might have to leave again for my job, too. So, we'll just keep in touch. Really, it'll be all right."

Her reassurance did little to placate his mixed mood. Instead, he wanted to them to enjoy their lunch before they parted. "Let's eat then," he pronounced when the waiter brought their curried chicken sandwiches and pommes frites, with aioli instead of catsup. He waited a beat before he added, "and please save room for dessert, namely me, when we cross paths again."

Adrienne offered a promising smile. "Of course. I haven't had my fill yet of the Ross special, with whipped cream and a cherry on top."