Evolve.

      “… sounds t’me like the name of a lad who’s half a bubble off true,” and she wasn’t saying that in jest ( although if he were to agree, this conversation was bound to take an unfortunate turn ). “I’m guessin’ ya see the resemblance or else ya wouldn’t be askin’.”

      “… do you know what happens t’men in Ireland when they take a lass’ seat? Nothin’, but I’ll tell ya this: last one that took mine wasn’t seen again in over a fortnight.” 

      Raise a little more hell and maybe he’ll leave – but maybe he won’t, and fear of the latter is what gets her in that unoccupied chair; all one hundred and nineteen pounds of bad attitude and self-entitlement ( just because you sit in a seat twice doesn’t make it yours ).

        “I'd have offered you my seat if it wasn't at least equally as warm as the unoccupied one. There's no difference.” 

Surprise contorts his visage when the stranger— however familiar she may smell and sound— sits down on the sole unoccupied seat. When he gets to think about it... — 

      “Seat’s still warm from the last heifer who sat there. D’ya really think I’m that desperate?”

      “If there’s a check in yer hand, leave it on the table and scoot. I’ll get to it when I’m good ‘n ready.”

      “Thanks. … probably ate a Slim Jim or something yesterday afternoon.”

      But as far as a proper meal goes, it’s been a while. He still can’t really eat without feeling sick or having his taste buds flip the switch on him half way through. He has to hand it to Gabe, though — that Chinese looks awfully tempting, and it smells even better.

      “Slim Jims hardly make for a meal, man. Come on... — Just smell it.” 

So it seems he's grown fond enough of the guy to persuading him into eating. Trust him to add to it by opening up the boxes and pulling out two plates and some chopsticks. 

      Resist. Resist. Resist. Resist. 

      “I’m guessing the I ate this morning pitch won’t work out in my favour.”

      Did he say Chinese — ?

      “Speaking my language. I’m not that hungry, though. I’ll, uh - eat it later, if you want to stick it in the microwave.”

      “What? Nah, we should eat it now— while it's hot.” 

❝You never know.          I can moonlight as an entertainer.         Leroy? Heavens-,                  He thinks I have a rubbish sense of humour.❞