Paul smiled weakly at her observation about karma always getting the last word.  “Yeah, karma usually has a way of doing that,” he agreed.  As the meat sizzled in the pot, he sliced and diced the onion and peppers, which in turn found their way to nestle amongst the cooking ground round and chunks of hot link.  He hoped Charlette liked spicy, though if her sexual appetite was any indication, she<i>was </i>spicy.  Correction:<i>is </i>spicy.<br/><br/>Think you can handle Charlette’s<i>caliente, </i>Old Man?<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00ff00">Ignore Mode</span>was quickly switched on.<br/><br/>Continuing with dinner prep, it did not escape him that throughout Jemma’s spiel, not once did she say or hint at getting back together.  Premature, Paul thought, since they weren’t officially broken up.  Yet.<br/><br/>Just shy of emptying all the canned, diced tomato sauces, two types of beans, and tomato paste into the pot, Charlette said, "She lost a great man, but maybe that's my gain."  She smiled at him.<br/><br/>That would be a BOOM!, Old Man.  Paul coulda sworn<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00ff00">Ignore Mode</span>was engaged.<br/><br/>It was a minor miracle that Paul held onto the last can housing red kidney beans from splattering his right foot and the kitchen floor.  He met her gaze and smiled back.  “I, uh, am far from great, Charlette,” he said with a smirk.  “But I do appreciate the benefit of the doubt.”<br/><br/>Her gain, don’t forget.  Better you than me, Old Man.  It was official:<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00ff00">Ignore Mode</span>was down and in dire need of a reboot.