Megan returned Ean’s silent regard. She felt the seconds ticking by. It was difficult to tell what he was thinking and hard to concentrate with her pulse thundering in her ears.
“What’s the real reason you don’t want to live with me, Megan?” His quiet question made her palms sweat.
“I’ve told you the real reason.”
“I think you’re holding something back.”
“In whose house would we live?” She was grasping at straws. She knew it, and she was pretty certain Ean did, too.
“Wherever you’d like. I can move into your grandparents’ home with you.”
“But you’ve signed a one-year contract for this town house.”
“Then move in here with me. Either way, I don’t care. I’ll be fine as long as we’re together.”
Who wouldn’t want to hear that? “I don’t want to sell my grandparents’ house.”
“Then don’t. Does that put your mind at ease?”
The silence grew. Ean continued to play with her hair, massaging her scalp, twirling strands around his fingers. Her body was so comfortable, balanced between being soothed and being aroused. But the pressure of their conversation kept her from feeling settled.
“It’s too soon, Ean.” Although part of her wanted to rush home and pack. She would love to move in with Ean—wake up together, go to bed together, share closet and bathroom space—but for how long? And, after all of that sharing, how much harder would it be to say good-bye?
“Try again.” Ean’s voice was easy.
Megan exhaled a heavy sigh. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”
“Do you want to know what I think?”
“Yes, I would really like to know.”
“All right. I think we have a dearth of trust in our relationship.”
Megan frowned. “What does that mean?”
“I think the reason you don’t want to move in with me is that you still believe that I’m going to leave Trinity Falls.”
She didn’t want to hurt him, but she couldn’t believe he was staying. She’d grown accustomed to people she cared about leaving. Even Quincy was preparing to move to Philadelphia.
Megan swallowed. “I do trust you, Ean.”
“I don’t think you do. I’ve told you I’m staying. I’ve shown you I’m staying. If you don’t believe what I’ve said or what I’ve done, what else can I do?”
Megan blinked to ease the stinging in her eyes. “Why are you so anxious to move in together?”
Ean rose on an elbow, holding his body above hers. “Because I love falling asleep with you beside me. I love waking up with you in my arms. I want to spend every moment that I can with you. And I don’t want to waste time traveling between our two homes.”
His intensity threatened to sweep her along. But she needed to protect her heart, didn’t she? “I’m just asking for a little more time.”
Ean rolled onto his back. His sigh was deep and long. “All right.”
Megan rested a tentative hand on his shoulder. “Thank you.”
Ean grunted. He slipped an arm beneath her and tucked her closer to his side. “Could we at least exchange keys?”
“I’d like that.” Megan laid her hand over his heart and rested her cheek on his shoulder.
He wasn’t the only one disappointed. But wasn’t it easier to bear disappointment now than to suffer even greater heartache later?