Note: Okay, guys, here's the date. I wasn't going to make this a Joanne-Roger relationship, but I'm getting several reviews that people are interested in seeing where it goes. If you don't like it, leave a review and it may very well change. Enjoy!

Note 2: As with the last few chapters, my computer (or this site) isn't allowing the bar, so a new section is indicated by a bold word.

Roger buttoned the cuffs on his shirt and went to answer the doorbell. "Hey, Mark, come on in."

"How are you?"

"Fine."

Mark raised an eyebrow.

"Fine, I'm nervous, okay? Happy?"

"It's okay to be nervous, Roger."

"I can't believe I let you talk me into this."

"You'll be fine."

"Hi, Mr. Mark!" Maria called.

"Hi, Mar! What're you doing?"

"Eatin' dinner."

"How do I look?" Roger asked, stepping further from Mark.

Mark's blue eyes trailed up and down his friend. He shrugged. "Nice."

"Nice?"

"What do you want me to say?"

"The truth!"

"And the truth is you look nice. You look good. Don't worry so much," Mark said with a laugh.

"Okay, okay. Now, I'm meeting her at the Life Café?"

"Yep. Half an hour. You got your car keys?"

"Yes."

"And wallet?"

"Yep."

"And cologne?"

"Jesus, when did you turn into such a mother?" he laughed.

Mark laughed, shrugging again. "Sorry."

"It's okay. I'm just teasing."

Maria skipped into the living room, pigtails bouncing. "Daddy, I'm all done."

"You eat it all?"

"Yep."

"Okay."

"Hi, Mr. Mark!" she said, hugging him when he'd knelt to her level.

"Hey, Maria."

"Daddy said you're gonna stay with me 'cause he's got a meeting."

"Yep…that okay with you?"

She nodded. "You know what else Daddy said?"

"What?"

"He said I could watch one of my movies with you."

"Oh really?"

"Yep. And I gotted a new one from Uncle Benny for my birthday."

"That's right, you did. Which one is it again?"

"The Little Mermaid."

"I haven't seen that one yet."

Maria's eyes widened in disbelief. She stared at him, then looked at Roger. "Daddy?"

"Yes?"

"Mr. Mark says he never saw The Little Mermaid."

"Well then you should definitely watch that one. So you can show him what he's been missing out on."

She nodded and turned to go to her room.

"Mar, wait! I gotta get going, honey."

"Oh!" she stretched her arms up to Roger, waiting for him to lift her up. "Bye-bye, Daddy."

"Bye, honey. I love you."

"Love you too."

"You be good for Mr. Mark?"

"Yep."

"And go to bed when he says it's bedtime?"

"Yep."

"And—"

"Be on your best behavior," she said with him. Mark laughed.

"Okay, okay, I have to go. I'll see you in the morning, sweetheart."

"Okay," she said as he set her down.

"Go get your movie while I talk to Mr. Mark."

Maria started to run, but stopped herself and walked to her room.

"Thank you, honey," Roger called after her.

"So we're watching The Little Mermaid?"

"I've had to sit through that movie nine thousand times. You can sit through it once," Roger laughed. "It's almost seven. That means after the movie, she should be pretty tired. She can have a small snack and then bedtime. She knows how to put her pajamas on and all that. And, uh, oh yeah, emergency numbers are on the fridge. And I'll try to be home by, like, ten."

"I think you're the one who's turned into your mom," Mark said with a chuckle.

Roger blushed. "Look, I just haven't left her at night before."

"Ever?"

Roger shook his head. "I mean, Benny's watched her a few times during the day, but that's it."

"She'll be fine, Rog. Go. Have fun. Don't worry about the time."

"Okay. But my cell number is on the fridge too, so just call if she needs—"

"Roger?"

"Yeah?"

"She'll be fine. Calm down. Go. I'll call you if she needs you."

Roger nodded and gave Mark a quick hug. "Thanks, Mark."

Joanne finished applying her makeup, trying not to get too excited. A blind date. What the hell was she thinking when she agreed to this? She took a deep breath and gave her reflection a final once over.

"Guess that's it."

Glancing at her watch, Joanne picked up her purse and hurried out the door. She hoped this wouldn't be a complete disaster.

Roger stood in front of the café, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. A young African American woman came towards him, looking hesitant.

"Um…excuse me, miss? Um…are you Joanne?"

"Yeah. Roger?"

He smiled. "Yeah, nice to meet you," he said, offering his hand.

Joanne shook his hand, returning the smile. "You too."

Roger held open the door to the café. "Shall we?"

"Thank you," she said.

As they ate, Roger found himself feeling more relaxed around Joanne. Mark hadn't exaggerated, she was beautiful and smart.

"So, um, how do you know Mark?" he asked.

"I'm a social worker. Mark counsels a lot of my cases. How about you?"

Roger took a sip of his coffee. "College roommates, actually. Lost touch for several years but now my daughter's in his wife's class."

"Your daughter?"

Roger grimaced, laughing uneasily. "Mark didn't mention I have a daughter, did he?"

"No," she said, taking a drink of her tea.

"Is that, um, a problem for you? I mean, it's kind of like a guarantee that I've got baggage."

"We've all got baggage," she said with a shrug. "So how old is this daughter?"

"Just turned six," he said.

Joanne smiled. "Aw…and what's her name?"

"Maria. Maria Samantha Davis."

"Beautiful name."

Roger nodded. He noticed Joanne's eyes take on a questioning look. He shifted. "You're wondering about her mother."

"It's none of my business—"

"Her mother's…her mother died in childbirth."

"I am so sorry."

Roger wasn't sure what surprised him more, the way she reached across the table to take his hand or the look of genuine compassion crossing her face. He smiled. "Thanks. It's okay, though."

"Your check, sir," the waiter said.

Joanne reached for her purse. Roger laughed, wallet in hand. "What are you doing?"

She blushed. "Helping pay."

Roger shook his head.

"But—"

"I'm very old-fashioned when it comes to this sort of thing. And I'm very stubborn so I'll argue with you all night if I have to."

Joanne laughed. "If you insist…"

"And I do," he said, slipping the cash into the bill holder. "Let me walk you home?"

"Sure," she said. She followed him out of the restaurant. Joanne smiled to herself and made a mental note to thank Mark.

Roger walked along, debating whether or not it would be awkward to hold her hand or put an arm around her. The night had fallen and the city lights blocked the stars. They wandered through the streets, chatting about nothing in particular. He was pleased to learn she lived several blocks from the café and assured her the walk didn't bother him.

Roger smiled at how much he was enjoying himself. He'd nearly worked up the nerve to reach for Joanne's hand when he felt her arm slip through his, taking light hold of it near his elbow.

"I'm really enjoying myself," Roger said, speaking almost more to himself than Joanne.

"Me too. And, to be honest, I really didn't think this was gonna work."

"Why not?"

"Well, um…I hope this doesn't scare you off…I'm bisexual. But I usually do feel more attracted to women. So when Mark offered to set me up with a man…"

"You figured you wouldn't be as attracted as if I was a woman."

"Yeah."

"And?"

"And what?"

"And were you right or have I won you over with my fantastic charm and undeniable wit?" he teased.

Joanne laughed. "Well I don't know that you've won me over. But I'm definitely more attracted to you than I thought I'd be."

"Good."

She raised an eyebrow at him.

"What? Isn't that good that you're attracted to me?"

"I think so but this is the part where you're supposed to let me know you're attracted to me too," she said.

Roger blushed. "Sorry. I am attracted to you, Joanne. I like you. I just haven't dated since…since Maria was born."

"I understand."

"You do?"

"Well, no. But I want to. I'd like to get to know you better."

"Do you think we could go out again sometime?"

Joanne nodded slowly. "Yeah, yeah I'd like that."

She looked up and stopped. "This is my building."

Roger watched her dig through her purse. She fished out a business card and a pen and scribbled on the back. "Here," she said. "My home number's on the back."

A minute later, she had the keys in hand and shifted uneasily in front of the door. "Thanks for a wonderful evening."

"Pleasure was mine. It was great meeting you."

"You too," she said, leaning forward slightly.

Roger hesitated and stuck his hand out. Joanne laughed and shook his hand. "I'll see you around, Rog."

"See ya."