Charlette poured herself some orange juice instead of the coffee she had just brewed.  Under her current circumstances, that probably was a good idea.  She didn’t say anything about her recent sickness that he’d heard, so neither was he.  Best leave that white elephant in the room alone for now.<br/><br/>“Miss you?” Paul innocently repeated.  He poured himself a mug of the caffeinated beverage and then teased, “You were gone?”  Her eyes widened at the slight, and before she could answer, he stood behind her bar stool, massaging a shoulder with his right hand.  His left hand, after all, still grasped the mug of one of the liquids of the gods, also known as coffee.<br/><br/>“Of course I missed you,” he admitted.  “Really quiet around here.  Too quiet, if you ask me.  How’s everything at home?” Paul enquired, hoping things were okay on her home front.