Learning to Love Read Online Free Page B

situation. Look, how about I take you out to dinner tonight, my treat. Call it a staff outing, what do you say?"
    "I think Clara's mother won't be very happy about it," Mary said. "You think that's wise, I've already got Tom's father on the warpath."
    "George, he's a pussycat. A few days from now and you'll having eating out of your hands," Robert smiled. "Now I better keep an eye on that lot out there before they get any ideas—so, see you tonight?"
    "Alright."
    "I'll pick you up at seven," Robert smiled. "Looking forward to it, never had a staff outing before."
    Watching him leave, Mary had to admit that part of her was looking forward to it too. She just hoped she didn't bump into Clara's mother while she was out with him. One enemy was enough for now.

Chapter 8
    Picking up a wine glass, Robert toasted his guest. "Here'ssss to our new member of the teaching staff." Looking around their empty table he added, "I hope you'll all welcome her to our sssschool."
    Mary looked to the empty seats beside her. "And I think you've had too much to drink. If anyone's driving you home tonight it's me."
    "You're a dear," Robert said and drank from his glass.
    "And you're drunk," Mary added.
    Lowering his glass, Robert pointed to himself and slurred his words. "Me? I beg your pardon, but I think it's you that'sssss drunk, Mary."
    Mary picked up her glass and smiled. "We'll see in the morning. But my moneys on you having a bigger hangover."
    "Soooo, did you have a good time?" Robert grinned drunkenly. "Because I know I did.—Care for another bottle? Waiter!"
    Mary watched the waiter wander over at Roberts's request. Looking to him and shaking her head she was glad that he'd picked up on Roberts's drunkenness.  
    "I'm sorry, Robert but we've run out of that vintage. I promise we'll have it the next time you come in," he apologized.
    Mary nodded her head and mouthed a silent thank you. Turning her attention to Robert, she remarked. "Well, I guess that's the end of the staff outing then."
    "Appearsss so," Robert said and drank the remaining drop from his glass. "I don't know about you, but I'm in no fit state to drive. Would you do the honors?"
    Mary pushed back her chair and got to her feet, helping Robert to his own, she remarked. "You have a good night?"
    "The besssst!" Robert smiled. "Why wouldn't I when I've got such beautiful company with me."
    "You're drunk," Mary said, waving away the fumes from his mouth and walking him toward the door.
    "And you're gorgeous," Robert said and give her a peck on the cheek. "I might have a hell of a hangover in the morning but you'll still be beautiful. Beautifullest woman I ever saw, you know that?"
    Mary looked around and found some of the other dinner guests watching their drunken path toward the door. "You might want to keep your voice down."
    "What? But it's true," Robert said and slapped a bald man on back of the head. "Hey, you!"
    Seeing him turn with an angry look on his face, Mary tried her best to apologize.
    "You see this woman, isn't she wonderful? Well, isn't she?"
    Mary shook her head and tried to pull him toward the door. "Don't mind him, he's had a little too much to drink. I'm sorry for disturbing you."
    Annoyed that he got no response, Robert turned back to Mary. "Ah, what would he know, the old bag he's sitting with?"
    Pulling off his napkin and throwing it to the table, the man remarked, "I beg your pardon?"
    "I'm very sorry," Mary said and pulled him even harder than before. Finally getting him going, she looked back over her shoulder and was relieved to see that the man had stayed put in his chair.
    "Thank God for that."
    Prodding him in the shoulder, Mary demanded. "I don't want to hear another word out of your mouth, you hear me?"
    "Yes, Ma'am!" Robert saluted. “I'd do anything for you, you know that?"
    "Good. Well, shut your mouth and help me get you into your buggy," Mary said, leaving the restaurant and guiding him on a diagonal path back to their ride home. Lifting him