"They're certainly taking their time in the kitchen." Stephanie commented, looking at the kitchen door before glancing at her watch.
"Yes, they're normally very quick here but if you tip them well they'll do anything you ask." Larry laughed before taking her hand.
"Oh Larry, I wish I could just relax and enjoy the evening, but I'm so worried about Jack."
"You are? Why?" Larry asked, not sure if Jack had spoke to her about their encounter in the alley the night before.
"Well, he seemed upset last night. I think it was because I turned down his offer to go to a basketball game tonight."
"Didn't he end up having to work anyway?"
"Yes, but I turned him down before that happened. After all, I came to Santa Monica to spend time with him. I really wanted to see you tonight but I felt so guilty about not spending time with Jack that I asked Janet and Terri to tell him I went to bed early."
"Then don't worry about it. It's just your second night in town; you still have 12 days to spend with your brother." Larry ended by kissing the back of Stephanie's hand. What he didn't notice was Jack's hard stare as he waited to talk with the host about a seat close to their table.
"You're right. Jack did talk about showing me the town tomorrow. We'll spend the whole day together."
"Good girl." Larry replied, patting her hand. "Now that that's out of the way why you don't tell me more about that play you're going to be in?"
"Only if you promise to come down to San Diego to see it!" Stephanie challenged.
"I wouldn't miss it!" Larry assured her.
"It's a story about a pioneer woman who desperately wants to be independent but can't help falling in love with a handsome cowboy." She reached into her bag and pulled out a script. "You'll never guess the cowboy's name."
"John Wayne?" Larry offered.
"No." Stephanie smiled. "It's Larry!"
"No kiddin'" Larry replied as Stephanie handed him the script.
"Would you mind helping me practice? For some reason I'm having a tough time with my lines on page 36."
"Sure." Larry replied, thumbing through the script just as Jack was seated next to them, a low wall and some greenery separating the tables. He began to listen just as Stephanie recited her lines.
"Larry, I don't understand why we are here."
"You know why, because we love each other. You can't deny it anymore."
"I don't want to love you."
"Then look me in the face and tell me you don't love me, and I'll never bother you again."
"You know I can't do that." Michelle continued.
"Then enough of this nonsense. Marry me."
Jack was just about to confront them when the waiter interrupted. Jack attempted to shoo him away as the conversation continued and finally managed to do so by ordering a rather expensive bottle of wine.
"Stop trying to be so independent. You need a husband and that baby needs a father."
"Baby?" Jack mouthed. He picked up the wine the waiter had poured for him and drank it down in one shot.
"I suppose you're right. I do love you Larry."
Just then the waiter approached Stephanie's table. "I'm very sorry but we seem to have run out of chicken. Can we offer you some spaghetti, lasagna, or linguini?"
"Actually, I don't think I'm very hungry anymore. What about you Larry?"
"Nah. It is getting late." Larry replied.
"I'm very sorry." The waiter apologized. "There will be no bill for the salad."
Stephanie and Larry got up to leave. Jack intended to follow them, only to be stopped by the host who demanded payment for the bottle of wine. Jack fished around for his wallet to discover that in his haste to leave the apartment he had left it behind.
Jack had no choice but to phone Janet and remain at the restaurant until she arrived with his wallet. He paced back and forth and was clearly steamed when she finally showed up.
"Jack, what's going on?" Janet asked.
"Can you believe it? Larry proposed to Stephanie tonight!" Jack said as he settled the bill.
"Don't worry Jack. Steph's a smart girl she's not going to marry someone she's only known for 2 days!"
"She might if she's pregnant!" Jack replied.
"Pregnant? Stephanie's pregnant?" Janet asked in shock. "Oh, Jack she must be scared to death. That's probably why she came to visit you."
"Yeah and that lousy no good Larry is preying on her vulnerability to get his way with her. I'm gonna kill him." He rushed out the door with Janet close behind.
"Jack, please calm down. Stephanie needs your understanding right now."
Jack stopped short when he spied a Ferrari parked a few feet away, the windows steamed up.
"And I hope you will be understanding when you see what I am about to do." Jack fumed as he ran over to the car and threw open the door.