Cosmo's Deli Read Online Free Page A

day’s grime, applied fresh make-up and donned her favorite black pants with a new white shirt that ties at the waist.
    â€œI love that place. How about I drive you?”
    Heading to the kitchen, she shoots him an irritated look. “I don’t think so.”
    â€œCome on, it’ll save you time.”
    â€œNo way.” Even though he is one of the few people she knows with a car in the city, Renny also knows that letting him drive her is not a good idea.
    â€œYou hate when I hang out with you and your friends. You’re ashamed of me.”
    â€œThat’s ridiculous.” Renny searches the counter for her keys.
    â€œI know that’s it.”
    â€œJeff, I am not ashamed of you. You’re a great guy and a great friend. And that’s it!”
    â€œNot because I haven’t tried.”
    â€œI don’t have time for this.” Renny ignores the sad puppy eyes he casts at her. “There you are.” Her hand closes around the keys, which somehow wound up between the answering machine and microwave.
    Jeff moved in across the hall a year ago. They met in the laundry room and he was immediately smitten. Renny wishes that she felt the same way because what could be better than falling in love with your best friend? On paper he adds up. He’s cute and has a great sense of humor. Two years ago he left his job as a web page designer for a technology company, cashed in his stock options and started his own Web design company, NewApproach. A few months ago they added two search engines to their client roster. And though he’s balding, Jeff is one of the few men who carry it off with aplomb. He’s actually a cool bald guy, which—much like a rainbow—you can’t believe until it’s really there in front of you. Unfortunately for Jeff, what looks good on paper doesn’t translate chemically. After they’d known each other for a few months, Jeff got up the nerve to kiss her. He may as well have been a dentist darting a probe around her mouth. Instead of being filled with desire, Renny felt an urgent need to spit.
    The phone rings and Renny dives for it. “Hello,” she says, relieved to have a diversion from their conversation.
    â€œAre you sure you can’t come for dinner tonight?” Renny’s mother asks in lieu of hello.
    â€œMa, I’m meeting Sara and Gaby in…” she checks her watch, “…sixteen minutes.”
    â€œTell Shirley hello,” Jeff says.
    â€œWho’s there?” her mother asks.
    â€œJeff, he says hello.” Renny wedges the phone between her head and shoulder while wiggling into her jacket.
    â€œHe’s a nice boy,” her mother says, which Renny knows that innocent statement is actually code for, “Why can’t you marry him?”
    Call waiting beeps in. “Hang on, the other phone.” Renny clicks off with her mother. “Hello.”
    â€œFinally, Cosmo’s Deli! Vhat’s vit the machine?”
    â€œMendelbaum,” she sighs. “When are you going to realize this is not Cosmo’s Deli?”
    He ignores the question. “I’ll have a tuna on rye mit a side of cole slaw. And a tea, hot tea, not cold. The name is Mendelbaum. With a capital…”
    â€œM,” she cuts in mimicking his ritual spelling of his name, “e-n-d, like dog, e-l-b, as in boy, a-u-m, like Myrna.” Renny has been fielding calls from Mendelbaum for four months. “It’ll be right over. That is over to wherever it is you call me from. Who are you Mendelbaum?”
    As always, he hangs up when she questions his identity. Renny clicks the phone back to her mother. “Ma, I really have to go.”
    â€œFine. Don’t forget to bring your laundry when you come.”
    Renny smiles. She loves that her mother is still willing to do laundry for her. “You’re the best, Ma.” She hangs up and finds Jeff’s face set with a smug glow