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Sounds like a nice arrangement.

[Giving him a sec, he's cleaning away his salad.]

How much more do you have to go before graduating?

It can be.

[ She laughs a little, remembering a few times when it... wasn't so nice. But having guys over was definitely one of the reasons they decided to get the apartment in the first place. Then they could have their own rooms for All That. ]

One more year after this one.

[ Just gotta reach that home stretch. ]

I bunk with a buddy of mine these days. My folks don't live in the Manhattan anymore. It's a little much, you know?

[As much as they firmly, savagely proclaim they were here first. Thus far Queens is suiting them just fine.]

Hey. That's terrific! Won't be much longer now. Anything you're thinking of doing after?

Mostly just looking for a job. Eventually move out to live on my own.

[ She shrugs. May not sound exciting to anyone else but it's important to her. She'll genuinely be making a new life for herself and of her own choosing. And one as distanced from her parents as possible. ]

Did you grow up in Manhattan?

A job in editing, right?

[See? He's paying attention. And honestly, having a place of your own in the world is a cornerstone of independence.]

Yeah. My grandmother had aboarding house that converted to an apartment complex after she died.

[ She nods again, pleased he remembered. ]

Most likely. I doubt I'll write a novel of any kind.

[ Following up with, ]

Your parents didn't want to run it?

You sound so sure about that?

[He lightly scoots his empty salad plate away and dabs his mouth and chin with a napkin.]

I didn't want to run it. I have an uncle that had dibs. And he's got a wife and kids.

[ She finishes hers around the same time, licking her lips before bringing a napkin to them. She finishes off her wine, too. ]

You didn't want to stay with them? Sounds like you could've had your dibs on a room, at least.

And no, I really don't think I have the creativity needed for one.

[They can go on and talk about her story telling skills later. That's fine. He tilts his head thoughtfully.]

Having a family member in the business helps. I just... wanted my own space for awhile. If I really need the help I'll ask for it. I wanna see how far I can go on my own.

[ Her expression turns a little more thoughtful at that and she nods slowly, ]

Yeah. I know how that feels.

[ It's more or less what she's trying to do. She's just determined to stay away for as long as she can. ]

Yeah? What part of the city did you live in before school?

[Because everything about her reads New York to him. Frank rubs his hands together as the waiter takes away the salad plates. Karen gets her lasagna. The rest is coming! And soon!]

[ She's momentarily distracted from her food by his question, hesitating briefly before picking up her fork again to start cutting at her main dish. ]

Uh, none. Actually. I'm from Vermont.

Oh wow. Well, you fit right on in to me.

[Ahhh to even things out Frank's got his entree. The plate is steaming and he's got to blow on it or else be scalded by melty, cheese and noodle goodness.]

What's it like there?

[ She smirks at that, pleased and even a little relieved to hear it. Taking a bite of her own dish after blowing on it some, she braces herself for the taste. This is it.

Karen is immediately going for another bite, making a sound of pleasure from the first bite, ]

God, that's so good.

[ Sorry, Frank. She's a little distracted. ]

[He lifts his fork in solidarity. And because eating along is half the fun. Frank knows what he's in for. And knows it's amazing. His own bite gets a sighing little head tilt. Too busy for more than chewing.]

I told you it would be.

[Please, don't mind him because watching her enjoy herself is a pleasure of its own.]

[ She's a little slower with it than she was with the salad because she doesn't want to go slinging sauce and cheese everywhere. But She's definitely eating with gusto. She shakes her head. moaning softly again, not even caring if she's making noise, ]

S'not fair. Food this good shouldn't exist.

[ Her wallet is already weeping at future prospects. ]

But it does.

[He beams over his own bite and in the moment that's more filled with eating then conversation there's such a genuine warmth and appreciation. Frank hopes that she enjoys his company half as much as she's enjoying her selection.]

Perfect sauce, perfect cheese, just everything is five star flavor.

[At a three star price.]

[ She does enjoy his company. He's nice, polite, smarter than she would've originally thought (and feels bad for realizing she had assumed the opposite of that). He also knew good food. If he was anyone else, she'd already be trying to edge for another date. But knowing where he plans on going, she holds herself back. Emotionally and keeping a distance between them.

Or trying to. ]

I don't know how they do it.

[ She's almost done already. At least her glass was refilled with more wine. ]

[Perhaps it's because he's unfettered by any one or anything right now that it seems like perfect logic to just go on a date with a girl, to try and kindle something. They're both young, life is going to change one way or the other. Something bout the curve of her smile and her blue eyes along with knowing from the start she could put him in his place.]

Trial. Error. ...family secrets probably.

[ She nods, finishing off the last of her food, ]

I bet.

[ She leans back in her chair, savoring her last bite and taking up her glass of wine. She licks her lips after swallowing, ]

Pretty sure that was better than sex.

[ And then follows more wine. ]

Don't you still have some pasta coming?

[Because right now she's pretty close to a stupor and it's very becoming. Frank is going through his manicotti at a decent pace. Now he's wishing he asked for bread though to sop up that sauce.]

....better? Not as good as?

[ She giggles into her glass, ]

I wanted dessert, too.

[ That tiramisu cake is hers, okay. ]

No, that was definitely better.

Past tense already! Well, we can either wait until this settles. [This gets a gesture between the two of them and their plates.] Or get it to go.

[Need he talk up how delicious that is?]

Damn, Karen. Who hurt you?

[ She actually laughs more openly at that last part, taking another swig of wine after she's calmed down. She holds up a hand, ]

Look, it's not my fault guys are all talk and no show.

[ At least the ones that tried to talk her up. ]

And we can wait if you don't mind waiting...Can I take the bread home, too?

[There's a all too smug and self-assured grin at this. Frank bobs his head and tries to hide his grin behind his glass. Too fucking late there.]

And that there is a crying shame.

[While he would like to fully indulge in the idea of what she looks like with her hair feathered across his pillow, there's still the evening before them.]

I'm right where I want to be. We can wait.

[Bread again. Heh.]

Yes, you can take the bread home.

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