Tuesday's Tiff

Laura stood in line with Nathan, waiting to get popcorn for the matinee showing of "Lady and the Tramp", when she noticed a familiar pair strolling toward the theater.

"Hey, Evan!" she called out, his head snapping around to look at her.

He quickly crossed the lobby, with Emily in tow, a grin on his face. She couldn't help but notice that the dimples she'd seen hints of at the zoo.

"Hi Laura," he said, before glancing down at Nathan. "Hey Nathan, are you excited about the movie?" he asked.

Nodding the little boy practically radiated excitement. "Lady an the Tramp's my favorite!" he replied happily.

Evan grinned when Emily concurred heartily, the two quickly getting into a spirited debate about the movie. "Well, looks like they'll be busy for a bit." He said, glancing at Laura.

"Yeah. You know, I didn't expect to run into you at the Trapier's Tuesday Toons." She said with a teasing hint.

"Emily and I try to come whenever we can." He said with a smile. "So uh, if you guys wanted, there's a couple of empty seats in the theater by us…"

Laura frowned for a moment, considering his statement. "Are you sure your wife would want me to sit with you guys?" she asked, instantly regretting it when she saw a flash of pain in Evan's eyes.

"No, she won't mind." He said, a little too quickly making her regret the question more.

Unsure what to say, she opened her mouth to speak, "Are you sure?" she ended up asking, blushing profusely at the question.

"Yeah." Evan dropped his voice looking over at Emily before turning back to Laura. "Jane died when Emily was one." He said simply.

"Oh uh…" Laura trailed off awkwardly, glancing around the lobby again. "You know we'll just, uh, find our own seats…" she said as she finally reached the counter.

As Laura carried a sleeping Nathan out of the theater, she glanced around but didn't see Evan or Emily. Fumbling with her car keys she tried to open her car door one handed.

"Here, let me get that for you." Evan said as he walked up next to her.

"No, no, it's fine." She said, trying to open the door again.

Evan gently took the keys from her hand and opened the door. "There you go." He said with a grin. "Look, I'm sorry I was so short earlier. I just don't talk about Jane much."

Laura settled Nathan into his car seat before turning to look at him. "It's okay, I was…prying." She said shutting her door.

Evan sighed but didn't respond, turning to open his SUV's door.

"I guess we'll probably see you around." She said, glancing at him over the top of her car.

"Guess so…" Evan said with a smile as he climbed into his SUV and drove away.