Page 27 of Craig

"We-"

Her voice petered off when he applied subtle pressure to the side of her neck.

"We met on the set of one of her movies. I was hired on as an extra. I approached her during a break and asked her out for coffee."

She tilted her head to stare at him, memories coming back.

"I told you that they were already serving coffee in the break room."

"And I told you I knew where they serve the best brew."

"You were very persistent," she recalled.

"You were worth it."

They seemed to have forgotten that they were not alone.

"And then you broke up. Why?"

They both swung their attention to the man seated across from them.

"I was busy with my career," Regina said with a shrug, which was only a half-truth.

"And I was grieving for my parents. I wanted to be as far away from here as possible."

"He asked me to come with him and I said no."

"And now you're reunited."

"Yes." Craig absently trailed a finger down the back of her neck, sending heat spiraling throughout her body.

Regina wondered if he knew what he was doing to her.

"Is that enough interrogation or would you like to know how many times we made love?" Regina stared at the old man over her glass, tapered brows arched.

"That's not necessary." Cecil wondered if he would ever get used to her particular brand of bluntness and seriously doubted it.

But he liked her. He could not have chosen better for the boy.

His head lifted to meet Craig's eyes, his face expressionless.

"I'm tired," he declared abruptly.

"And it's time for my medicine. Damned nuisance."

He rose unsteadily and reached for his cane, standing still when Regina also rose and came to stand in front of him. "You're not such a mean old grouch after all, I can tell."

Something flickered in his eyes briefly and was gone.

"I am meaner. I expect the wedding to take place within the month."

"That I can agree to," she told him. He stiffened when she lifted a hand to touch his weathered cheek.

"Take care of yourself."

Craig watched the interplay with avid interest and realized that she had done the impossible and had charmed the old man. He was fighting not to show it, but it was there, which meant the plan was already working.

Rising, he made his way towards them to take Regina's hand. "We should get going."