Ean stood from the sofa, fearful that his dinner might come back up. He gathered the dessert plates and empty glasses onto the serving tray, and turned to carry the load back to the kitchen.
“I should be going, too.” Megan’s voice carried from across the room.
Ean looked at her over his shoulder. “Wait for me. I’ll walk you home.”
“It’s only three blocks, Ean. I’ll be fine.” Megan crossed to kiss Doreen’s cheek and give Leonard a hug.
Doreen took the tray from Ean and gave it to Leonard. “Leo and I will handle the cleanup. I’d feel better if you took Megan home.”
“Sure.” The evening had taken a turn for the better. Was it getting out of kitchen duty or the prospect of being alone with Megan, even if it was only for three blocks?
Megan accepted her purse and navy coat from his mother. “Thanks again for dinner and dessert, Doreen. They were both delicious.”
Ean stepped forward to help Megan with her coat.
“Thank you.” She gave him a long, slow blink and the world slowed down.
Ean came out of his trance. “You’re welcome.”
In silence, he followed Megan through the front door and down the steps. The early-November night was cool with a brisk, late-fall breeze. A deep breath brought the scent of moist earth and the advent of winter. Sidewalks were lit only by their neighbors’ porch lights. Halloween decorations were still on display a week later. They hung next to the sesquicentennial banners.
It was so quiet here. Ean enjoyed the silence and the comfortable presence of the woman walking beside him. No honking horns, emergency sirens, blaring television programs or driving rock music. He could hear himself think.
“Do you suppose your mother’s making out with Coach Leo, now that we’ve left?”
Megan’s question drew a mental picture Ean could do without. “I’d rather not think about it.”
Her soft laughter blended into the evening. “I was just joking.”
“That’s not funny.” Ean resisted the urge—just barely—to wrap his arm around her waist and draw her closer to him. “Thank you again for coming. Your presence really did make a difference.”
“You’re welcome. You did well.”
He basked in her praise. “Until the end of the evening.”
Megan’s throaty chuckle strummed across Ean’s abdominal muscles. “Leo can be a little pushy.”
“That’s a nice way of wording it.”
“Don’t worry.” Megan patted Ean’s arm. “Well, at least not until he shows up on your doorstep next football Friday night.”
Ean felt her warmth even through his coat sleeve. He ached with the desire to press her hand to his arm.
“Let’s change the subject.” Ean put his hand on Megan’s shoulder. He dropped it when he felt her tension through his fingertips. “I’m sorry. I forgot that you don’t like to be touched.”
“It depends on who’s doing the touching.” Her voice was wry. “How’s Ramona?”
Ean smiled at her pointed question. “She’s your cousin. You tell me.” He looked both ways before they crossed the street.
Megan forged ahead, picking up the pace. “Don’t play games, Ean. Have you two gotten back together?”
“I’ve only been home a couple of weeks.”
“So?”
“She left me six years ago, remember?”
“Still, you probably should have invited her to dinner at your mother’s house tonight instead of me.”