This was not getting off to a good start, Colin thought. It was clear that Beth's friend had a strong personality, which was not at all a bad thing. The look on his beloved's face as she clasped Ardy's hand was one that Colin hadn't seen in ages. Sure, she was happy with him, or at least she professed to be and he didn't think she was being deceptive. But man does not live by bread alone, and a woman needed more than just her husband. He realized that what they had together was at some level unhealthy, both for her and for him, and that was what was led to his agreeing to invite Ardy into their home, sight unseen. There were times when he could picture their future if they stayed on the path they were on. He would shelter her from every storm, year after year, until eventually, inevitably, he would falter. And then no amount of love in the world would make up for her inability to stand alone.<br/><br/>But what did he know? She was the psychologist, and he didn't discuss his fears with her. Not those, nor the even darker ones. About what might happen to him over time, for no man was a constant either. He would always love her -- he felt he loved her more each day, and he relished the moves that she made to come out of her well-earned shell. But sometimes, only very occasionally, he wondered if he had made the right choice.<br/><br/>He shook his head briefly. He had wandered into his thoughts, and now was not the time. He wanted tonight to go well, for her but also for him. And, he supposed, for Ardy. Though they had only just met, there was something about her... He didn't see what Beth saw, not yet. Perhaps in time.<br/><br/>"I think Ardy's right," he announced, though of course the decision had already been made. He pitched in to help bring out the food, and between the three of them it took only minutes. Sitting down before the crisp salads, he ventured a reset of their conversation. Humor didn't seem to be working too well for him, with little surprise. He knew it was a nimble tool in most people's hands, but sincerity had always worked better for him.<br/><br/>"I just wanted to say, Ardy, that I am really glad you came over tonight." He waved his fork over the table setting. "We don't eat like this every night, not even close. This is kind of a special occasion. But I'm not going to steal Beth's thunder. So tell me, did you grow up in St. Louis? I was born and raised just over on the west side of town, up by Barksdale."<br/><br/>