Chapter 28:

"Thanks," Cat said and resumed her cooking. "Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes." Rusty finished setting up the table, and asked Cat if she needed any help.

Twenty minutes later, the food was indeed ready, but Cat got a call from Richard and had to take it. Rusty and Sharon waited for her at the table. They had about ten minutes to talk until she joined them.

"All set. Shall we eat?" she said happily as she sat on the chair.

"Actually, I need to talk with the both of you before we do," Sharon said, feeling the nerves in her stomach.

"Shoot," Cat said and Sharon took a deep breath.

"Okay, well… you know how I stay late at work at least twice a week?" she started hesitantly.

"Yeah, but you're actually meeting with some guy," Rusty said casually and Sharon's eyes widened in shock. "That's what Cat says," he added quickly and Cat nodded.

"What made you say that?" Sharon asked, amazed by her daughter's perception.

"Sometimes you come back really… happy from those long days at work," she said and smiled.

"I DO work long days a lot," Sharon said defensively.

"Yes, and on those days you come back exhausted," Cat took a piece of bread and put it in her mouth. Sharon looked at her, lost for words. Rusty smiled; he found Sharon's reaction rather amusing. "So, when are we going to meet him?" Cat asked.

"He's coming for dinner. And you already know him."

"Oh, good for you, Mom. Flynn's hot," a mischievous spark appeared in Cat's eyes.

"What…" Sharon stuttered, baffled.

"I saw the way you looked at each other the other day."

Rusty looked at Sharon, who was staring at her daughter. "Flynn's great," he said quietly in attempt to make Sharon react, and the two women looked at him just as the doorbell rang.

"That's him," Sharon got on her feet. "Cat, I'm begging you…" she pointed at her daughter as a warning sign and walked to the door.

"Don't worry, I won't embarrass you. Much," she added the last word quietly, so that only Rusty could hear. He smiled at her as Sharon opened the door and Flynn entered the apartment. Cat and Rusty greeted him when he approached the table awkwardly.

"I'll get another plate," Rusty muttered and rushed to the kitchen, glad to avoid the awkward situation. Sharon showed Flynn to the seat next to her while Cat's eyes followed them.

"So, I'm guessing you're not going to call my friend, Natalie," she said, looking at Flynn, and Sharon arched her eyebrows as she also turned to look at him.

"No, I threw away her card," he answered and frowned at Sharon, trying to interpret the expression on her face. It wasn't anger.

"Actually, you are going to call her," she said to him.

"I am?"

"Yes, and ask her out."

"Wow, I didn't know you were the type to have an open relationship, Mom," Cat said, amused, just as Rusty came back with Flynn's plate. Sharon slapped the back of her daughter's hand softly and turned back to Flynn.

"That's what you're going to tell Provenza," she watched his face as it changed from a frown to an understanding smile.

"I'm confused. Rewind the movie," Cat said and watched them with interest.

"Let's eat," Sharon said slowly and smiled. Cat squinted at her but decided to drop the subject and they all started to fill their plates.

"By the way, Mom, I think Chris wants to drop by sometime soon," She said casually.

"Why?" it was now Sharon who squinted at her.

"He has a surprise for you," she answered and suppressed a chuckle.

"Oh, god," Sharon muttered and sighed.

"Who's Chris?" Flynn asked.

"My son."

"Is he going to sleep on the couch too?" Rusty asked, frustrated. He really liked having Cat around, but he missed the living room, which has become her bedroom.

"Oh, no," Cat answered and this time couldn't hide the chuckle. Sharon looked at her firmly, trying to read her. Her daughter obviously knew something about her son, and Sharon wanted to know what it was.