I follow after him and nearly open my mouth to make a retort about the fact that if Joe thinks I'm ever going to shut up in his or my lifetime, he's really done a number in deluding himself on that score. I just smile softly as I stare at the set-up and turn to him with gratitude evident in every feature. "Joe," I exhale in amazement, wandering to sit at the table and to stare at what he's cooked up.

"If you want any of this, you'd better sit down before I devour it whole," I warn, already leaning out of my seat to eagerly heap whole forkfuls of pasta and salad onto my plate.