Again, he found himself making a selection he wouldn't typically have chosen for the sake of Charlie's comfort. Water would have been his beverage, had the girl not gone straight for the Dr. Pepper. He chose the next cola, then, uncaring of what it was, and smoothed the lid over the wax-covered paper lip. The straw went next. He probably wasn't going to have more than a few sips, if that -- but as long as Charlie felt comfortable, he was satisfied with the syrupy mess.
Glancing over at Charlie when she asked her question, he frowned. He didn't want to keep the truth from her, but he also didn't want to ruin the surprise for her, either. And there was the little notion that she might try to stop him if he told her that he was shopping for her. Rylee had said she didn't like a lot of fuss... But he couldn't lie to Charlie. He didn't want to. At last, he told her the absolute truth:
"I prefer not to say," he said, and although there was a strength to the words that defied challenge, he also said it more gently than he normally would have. "The lady is...." He shook his head, at a loss as to how to describe the situation. "She's living at Pax as well, and she prefers not to have a big to-do about her. Were I to mention my plans for her, I'm sure she wouldn't prefer it. Please don't take offense."
A counter check revealed their order on a tray and waiting. He fetched it quickly, then nodded to the dining room. "Table or booth? You pick, Charlie."
And while she was picking their places, he was going to think of something easy and clever to talk about. Never mind that he was absolute shite at doing that sort of thing.