Ean wanted to rewrite the past to prevent this relationship from ever coming to fruition. But that wasn’t possible. Barring that, “Time. I need time to adjust to my mother’s new life.”
The chime distracted Ean from the anger boiling in his blood. He rose from his chair when Megan moved into his office doorway.
Her smile faltered when she saw Leonard seated across from Ean. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Leonard stood. “Don’t worry, Megan. I was just leaving.”
Megan sent a look at Ean—part concern, part accusation—before returning her attention to Leonard. “Please don’t leave on my account, Coach. I’ll come back later.”
“No, it’s fine.” Leonard turned back to Ean. “I’m glad we cleared that up, Ean. I’ll see you later.”
Megan frowned at Ean again as she switched places with Leonard. “Coach, I know a lovely lady who’s free for lunch.”
Leonard paused in the threshold. A grin brightened his still-youthful features. “That’s good to know. It was nice talking with you, Ean.”
He hadn’t enjoyed their conversation and couldn’t bring himself to lie. “I’ll see you around, Coach.”
Megan sank into the seat Leonard had vacated and started unpacking the picnic basket. The chime of the bell above the front door as Leonard left seemed to loosen her tongue. “Your mother likes Leo. That alone should convince you to be nice to him.”
“Why do you think I wasn’t being nice?”
Ean looked at the food she was unpacking. All healthy stuff—salad, fruit, soup and what appeared to be chicken sandwiches—without cheese or mayonnaise. Who ate like that?
“When I arrived, I could cut the tension in your office with a knife.” She lifted two cartons of plain milk onto the table.
Plain milk. Ean smothered a groan. “I’m not used to my mother having a boyfriend.”
Megan closed the picnic basket and looked him in the eye. “She has a boyfriend. Get used to it.”
Ean fought a smile. She was delicate on the outside, but a bully on the inside. “I’m trying.”
Her fierce expression eased slightly. “Coach was a very good friend when Doreen needed one.”
Ean’s humor faded. “I should have been here when she needed someone.”
Megan stood, circled Ean’s desk and settled onto his lap. She twined her arms around his neck. “You’re here for her now. She’s still adjusting to her life without your father. She’ll need your encouragement and support.”
“She’ll have it.”
“I’m still trying to figure out my next step.” His mother’s words made him think of his own future. He knew his next step. But would the woman sitting on his lap be willing to take it with him?
CHAPTER 24
Ean left Books & Bakery on Wednesday morning after breakfast with Megan, his mother, Quincy and Darius. A smile lingered on his lips. Brisk strides carried him through the cold December wind that was blowing across the town center’s courtyard. His smile faded and his pace slowed when he saw Ramona waiting in front of his law office.
She balanced on navy leather stiletto boots. Her faux-fur coat covered her from neck to midthigh. Her teased raven tresses danced in the wind.
A glance at his bronze Omega wristwatch showed nine o’clock. This couldn’t be good. “Isn’t this early for you?”
Ramona ignored his question. “So you’re a member of the town’s business association now.”
He was right. This wasn’t going to be good.
Ean pulled his keys from his jeans pocket and gestured toward his office door. “I suppose you want to come in.”
“That would be very gracious of you.” Ramona’s gloved hand clutched the high collar of her coat closer to her neck.
Ean led her into his office