Ch.15, Pt.2: After work days later
After work days later, Katherine nervously strolled down the street with Lawrence, headed for a restaurant near work called Bistro on Main. She was on a first date, but she wasn’t sure that Lawrence thought of it that way. I’ll have to watch for a sign, she decided. She stole sideways glances at him and noticed how very pleasant-looking he was. Even rather handsome. He walked easily, hands in his pockets, while Katherine kept one hand clamped on her shoulder bag. When Lawrence held the restaurant door open for her, she passed by him feeling pleased. Inside, she had no opinion of where they should sit, and Lawrence chose a table off to one side, away from the large front windows. Katherine liked the idea that he wanted to be with her out of the public eye.
“Do you want something to drink?” Lawrence asked while the waiter hovered.
“Some wine would be nice.” Katherine was leaving this up to him as well.
“Red or white?”
“What do you want?”
“I like to drink white in the spring and summer,” he said. “But you like red, don’t you?”
“I’ll have whatever you’re having.” She wanted to be as agreeable as possible.
Lawrence ordered a carafe of house wine and they studied the menu. When the wine arrived, Lawrence ordered a Caesar salad and a burger and fries, and Katherine ordered a large Greek salad and a small gourmet pizza. She would have ordered a medium pizza, but didn’t want to seem like a pig.
They sat in silence until Lawrence made conversation. “Did you have a good lunch with Janine the other day?”
“Janine is fairly entertaining. She’s really good at her job, but she’s never satisfied with it.”
“She manages to be on top of everything at work, but otherwise, she’s a total flake.” Lawrence flapped open his napkin as the salads were put before them.
“I think Steve’s behind that. He has unrealistic expectations of her.” She took a small mouthful of salad.
“It’s not just him. She’s kookie on her own.” Lawrence swirled his glass of white wine.
“Yeah, well actually, you’re right.” Katherine felt a little guilty talking about Janine like this. They munched in silence.
“Show’s going well,” observed Lawrence. “Good to know that we’re still on for another year.”
“We better be. I’m counting on it!” Katherine chuckled. “Blaine knows he’s got me now. With this mortgage, I’m not going to be threatening to quit over anything. I have to be a good girl from now on.”
“I don’t think Blaine’s got you the way he’d like to. And I don’t mean as a host.”
Katherine held up a hand. “Please. I don’t even want to think about it.” She certainly didn’t want to give Lawrence the idea that she was interested in Blaine.
“I don’t know, he’s available. But maybe not for long. He’s definitely looking around. And he’s noticed you. This is your chance to get a lot more influence over the station.” He crammed a big lettuce leaf into his mouth.
“No thank you,” she said firmly, her fork stabbing an olive, a piece of cheese, a tomato. “Not that way.” They both chewed.
“So how are things with you?” he asked, drinking from his glass.
“A little rough lately,” she admitted, picking at her salad. “Rick and I broke up a few weeks ago. But I’m putting all that behind me, so I’m getting back to normal.”
“Uh huh.” Lawrence didn’t sound convinced. “I knew something was going on. You haven’t been yourself lately.”
“Yeah, well, it happens. And then you’ve got to move on, right?” Katherine toasted him with her wine glass.
“If you’re in a soap opera. Notice how they’re always saying that in soap operas? Three days after a traumatic break up, they’re talking about getting on with their lives.” The waiter came up and cleared their plates. “Why didn’t you tell me about your break up sooner? I hope you haven’t been sitting home alone, crying. I’d have been over right away. We could have seen a bunch of old trashy movies, and eaten a lot of gourmet popcorn. Did you make me miss out on the best part of getting over a romance?”
Katherine felt a warm glow spread through her middle. It’s true! He is interested in me, she thought. How can I encourage his feelings? She hesitated, then reached across the table and squeezed his left hand. “You’re always so good to me. I think I’ve taken you too much for granted.”
“That’s right. You have. It’s about time you stop doing that, and start appreciating me. I care about you. Seems like you haven’t got a lot of people in your life either. Just like me. I’m going to start looking out for you more.”
“I think I’m going to like that.”
“Like it or not, you need someone like me. I’m going to be the brother you never had.”
Katherine frowned. A brother? I hope not. She took a fortifying gulp of wine, held out her glass for more and said as Lawrence was pouring, “That’s nice for a start.”
Lawrence stopped pouring into her glass a moment, then resumed. Their main courses were put in front of them, and they murmured in appreciation.
“This is the second loss you’ve had in a short time.” Lawrence raised his burger to his lips. “That friend of yours dying at Christmas.”
“That’s right.” She began separating a slice of artichoke pizza. “Christmas Day would have been terrible without you.”