By the time she arrived at her office, Abby was feeling apprehensive about the lunch. What was the point? She wasn’t like other women, who could have normal relationships. She was responsible for Justin, Sara, Audrey and her Mom. Her work schedule rarely allowed her to go out on a Friday or Saturday night. And Chris had said he wanted to enjoy being single, anyway.
She distracted herself with work until her cell phone rang mid-morning.
“Abby, it’s Audrey. I forgot we have a field trip today and I was supposed to bring my lunch. Can you bring me lunch at Laramie Park?”
Abby sighed to herself. If she had gone through Audrey’s book bag like she should have, she probably would have seen a note about this, she realized.
“Sure. What time do you need it?”
Audrey asked someone next to her.
“We’re eating at 11:45,” she said. “At the big pavilion.”
“Okay. I’ll be there then with your lunch.”
“Thanks.”
Abby decided it might be for the best as she dialed Chris to cancel. His voice was sleepy as he answered.
“Hey, Abby,” he said, a smile in his voice. She pictured him in bed and felt her resolve crumbling.
“Hi,” she said. “I’m sorry for waking you up.”
“No, I don’t mind,” he murmured.
“I have to cancel on lunch. One of my sisters just called because she forgot her lunch and she’s on a field trip. I have to take her something.”
“Where at?”
“Laramie Park.”
“I’ll take you. I know where it is. We can just eat on the way if you want to.”
“Oh,” Abby said, taken aback. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, of course. What time do we need to be there?”
“11:45.”
“Okay. What does your sister want for lunch? I’ll pick it up on my way.”
“Um, just a ham sandwich would be fine. Maybe some chips and a drink.”
“Okay,” he said. “I’ll pick you up at 11:15.”
Abby felt displaced as she waited in the front lobby. She couldn’t place why at first, but it came to her just as Chris pulled up out front. She was used to doing everything on her own. No one had ever offered to help her like Chris had. Justin helped with the girls, but he did what Abby asked him to. She wasn’t used to anyone doing something for her without her asking, and she rarely asked.
He drove a dark Land Rover, and Abby smiled at him as she walked out.
“Hi,” he said. “You look really nice.”
“Thanks,” she said, sliding into the leather seat.
“I got you a salmon salad, is that okay?” he asked as he pulled away from the front door.
“That’s great, thank you. I’m sorry about this.”
“Don’t be. I really don’t mind.”
Abby sighed as she glanced at him. He was so sweet and seemingly perfect that it hurt to remind herself this couldn’t go anywhere.
“Which one of your sisters are we taking lunch to?” Chris asked.
“Audrey. She’s 12,” Abby said absently.
“How’s your day going?”
“It’s okay. Chris, I think we need to have a talk.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“Why did you ask me out?”
“Because I like you,” he said, glancing over at her.
“But…what do you really want?”
“This is what I want. I want us to get to know each other better.”
“I know this will sound strange, coming from a stripper, but I’m very conservative when it comes to men. I’m not as experienced as you might think, and I’m afraid you think that because I’m a stripper, I’m easy. I’m not. I’m pretty difficult, actually…practically impossible.”
Her exhale was the only sound in the car, and Abby grew nervous.
“Do you think I asked you out because I expect you to have sex with me?” Chris asked, sounding hurt.
“Men don’t ask strippers out because they expect intellectual conversations,” Abby countered.
“Why do you do that?” he asked.
“Do what?”
“Put yourself down constantly. When I look at you, I don’t see a stripper, Abby. Was I all over you that night at the club?”
“No. I guess I’m just confused about what you want. Is this a platonic thing?” Abby asked.
“Yeah. I am not trying to sleep with you. Like I said, I just got out of a relationship, and I’m not looking for another one.”
“Okay. So, friends?”
“Friends.”
Abby looked at him for a few beats.
“What?” he asked.
“I’m waiting to see if you say anything about benefits.”