Frank was grinning like a Cheshire cat when he said, “Same here, Kenny.”
Justine retook her seat. “Sit down, Francis, and stop gloating.”
He sat, his smile still in place. “Oh, it’s back to Francis? Does it bother you if the man of the house gave me permission to date his mother?”
“Kenny is not the man of this house.”
Suddenly his face went grim. “Kenny is physically a man, isn’t he?” Justine nodded. “I know he’s not going to be considered an adult until he’s eighteen, but I believe he’s mature enough to know what he would like for his mother.”
“And what is that?”
“He doesn’t want to see you alone.”
Justine replayed what Frank had just told her. It was obvious Kenny and his friends traded secrets, and she wondered if he was worried that she hadn’t remarried or that she didn’t have a boyfriend.
“I’m not alone. I have my son.”
“Why are you being so stubborn, Justine? Can’t you spare a few hours to go out to dinner or take in a movie every once in a while?”
She met his eyes. “With you?”
His expression softened. “Yes. Why not with me.”
“Won’t it bother your friends for you to be seen with me?”
Frank counted slowly to ten so he wouldn’t let loose with a stream of curses in English and Italian that would ruin his chances of seeing Justine again. He gave her a lethal stare. “No. My friends know better than to say anything about who I see and if I were to find out about it.”
“What are you going to do, Francis? Punch them in the mouth?”
“No, beautiful. I wouldn’t punch them.” He knew Justine was ambivalent about going out with him when she chewed her lower lip. “I’ll understand if you’re not ready. And if you decide you don’t want to go out with me, then no hard feelings.”
“Will we still be friends?” she asked.
“Of course.”
“I’m not ready to say no but are you willing to wait to the beginning of summer. By that time, I won’t have many typing projects unless someone is taking summer classes.”
Frank wanted to tell Justine that he’d waited more than twenty years, and waiting another two months was like the blink of an eye. “Of course I don’t mind waiting.” He picked up his fork to finish eating the roasted chicken that was so tender, he didn’t need a knife to cut it.
“One of these days I’m going to return the favor and cook for you.”
“You cook?”
“Of course. My mother taught all of her children to cook.”
“What do you make?” Justine asked, before she took a bite of chicken.
“Everything. The only thing I don’t attempt is her marinara sauce, because it takes too long. But I do know how to make it.” Although he realistically knew what he’d hoped to share with Justine Russell would not lead to marriage, he was willing to accept whatever she offered.
“I’m really looking forward to that.”
“If you want, I can bring all the ingredients here and cook for you, if you’re still not ready to come to my apartment.”
Justine laughed softly. “You are really determined that we spend time together.”
Frank placed a large hand over his heart. “Guilty as charged.”
“Okay, Francis. If you’re free, then you can come by next Saturday. Just call to let me know you’re on your way.”
