To him, she seemed to be in another world.  Anywhere, really, but right here in the backyard of his house.  Paul wasn’t trying to be sneaky, though he did think she’d see him prior to him speaking.  Nope.  His question and gratitude for the coffee brought Charlette out of her reverie with a startled jump.  He swiftly apologized for scaring her.<br/><br/>Naturally, Paul wondered what she’d been thinking about, but not so much that he’d actually ask her.  Basically, it was none of his business.  Internal reflection, however, seemed to be contagious around here lately.<br/><br/>He had Jemma wanting a second chance for them to be a couple again to consider.  Thankfully, she didn’t put a time frame on his decision, which was a smart move on her part.  Because if she had, his answer woulda been an emphatic “no.”  She probably knew this, too.  Paul believed that you don’t spend two and a half years with someone and not pick up on a few of their tendencies and thought process.<br/><br/>As if one issue concerning a female wasn’t enough, there was also the Charlette factor to think about.  In Paul’s head, there was really nothing to it.  That nine-year difference in their ages had a lot to do with this.  Charlette herself, however provided the twist.  Ever since moving in to rent a room, she’d made things quite clear as to what she thought, or even felt about him.  Their gap in age meant nothing to her, and she steadfastly refused to date guys closer to her own age.  Paul knew this because she actually told him so.<br/><br/>Agreeing with her assessment of the fine morning still in its infancy, Paul sat next to her in another lounge chair.  Coffee consumption was high on his to-do list before tackling any heavy-duty life issues.  Good thing Charlette had the presence of mind to brew an entire pot.