“Coming up!” Paul said. He raised his hand to get the waiter’s attention.

The evening had gone well, and Laurie was feeling considerably better than she had earlier after talking with Lou and Jack. When Laurie had first gotten home she’d considered canceling the week-old plans she had made with Paul to go to the ballet at Lincoln Center followed by dinner. But after some time by herself she decided that the information she’d gotten from Lou and Jack didn’t necessitate an angry confrontation. She wasn’t entirely confident what they’d said was true, and even if it was, she was more than willing to hear an explanation. It was more the surprise of it all that had upset her.

“How about some dessert wine?” Paul asked.

Laurie smiled and shook her head. They’d had a wonderful red wine with dinner, and Laurie was luxuriating in its afterglow. She knew she’d had quite enough alcohol.

Paul had arrived for the evening with more flowers and an apology for his insensitivity that morning. He’d assured her that he understood her commitment to her work, and he even went so far as to say that he truly admired and valued that she had such a commitment.

As they’d talked, Laurie had been tempted to bring up the issue of the nature of his work in the context of the discussion of hers, but decided against it. In the face of his sincere apology, she didn’t want to seem unappreciative or insensitive. She’d decided to wait for a more opportune time.

And then there’d been the other surprise. Paul had told her that he’d managed to change the Budapest trip until the following weekend in hopes that her schedule would permit her to go. He’d even said she had all week to decide.

The dessert arrived, and it was a piece of vertical chocolate art. At its core was a moist, dark, flourless chocolate cake that Laurie could not resist. After a taste she smacked her lips with delight.

Paul had ordered a brandy. When it arrived, he swirled it, smelled it, and then took a taste. Satisfied, he leaned back and smiled. He was the picture of contentment.

“There’s something I want to ask you, Paul,” Laurie said, sensing there could not be a better time to bring up the work issue. “I know when I asked you this question this morning, it seemed confrontational. I didn’t mean it to be, and I certainly don’t mean it to be now, but I’d like to know what kind of business you are in.”

Paul stopped swirling his brandy and regarded Laurie with his coal-black eyes. “Why do you want to know?” he asked with a calm, even voice.