Canon: S2: Before “The Rent Strike.”

Larry walked into the cafe and paused, glancing around. He then headed for a table and sat down. “Hi, Susan.” He gave haler a small smile.

“Hi, Larry, I’m glad you could make it. I’ve been on third shift at the hospital and I don’t get to see anyone,” Susan replied, then sipped her drink. “Balki at class?”

Larry nodded. “Yes, he is. He loves it. I wish I had had half of his enthusiasm about school.”

Susan grinned at him. “Well, you must have liked it enough. High school Salutatorian and tenth in college. Those rankings are nothing to sneeze at.”

Larry shrugged. “Guess I’ve mentioned those a time or two.”

“Larry…” Susan paused. She wasn’t sure how to proceed but she had to.

His gaze remained on her, waiting patiently. A slight smile playing on his features.

She took in a breath and let it out. “I like you, Larry.”

He kept looking at her and didn’t respond. She started to wonder if she had actually said it aloud.

Finally, Larry sighed softly, his brow creasing. “Susan—“

But she already knew his stance and she couldn’t bare to hear it. “No, it’s okay. I just had to say it.”

Larry couldn’t believe what he was hearing, honestly. Had she said this a few weeks ago, before meeting Jennifer… “Susan, you’re a great lady and you’ve been a great friend.”

She nodded. “You’ve also been a good friend. I didn’t want to ruin that by saying something.”

“You haven’t ruined anything.”

Susan shrugged. “Still friends, then?”

Larry nodded. “Absolutely.”

End