Beside her, Evan spun his glass with his fingers, creating a whirlpool in the water. He stopped and looked up at her. “You know, we could join the others on the dance floor.”
“I…I don’t know.” She’d never danced with anyone but Mike, but why shouldn’t she dance with a friend?
“It was just an idea. We don’t have to.” He popped a mint in his mouth, unaffected by her refusal.
His laid-back attitude gave her the strength needed to answer with a yes. This was Evan, one of her best friends. Dancing with him would hold no expectations. “How’s your leg?”
“Fine, since the other night.”
Her lips curved up. “Then why aren’t we out there on the dance floor?”
“So that’s how you’re going to play it, huh?” He stood with a wide grin. Gave an exaggerated bow and offered his hand. “Ahem. May I have this dance?”
She accepted his hand and allowed him to guide her to the floor. His hand pressed gently against the small of her back until they found a clearing among the people. Their arms bumped and tangled, producing hearty laughter from them both.
“It’s been a while since I’ve danced with anyone.” She smiled sheepishly.
“I was coerced into dancing at Kate’s wedding in August.” His hands found a resting place in the curve of her hips.
“Coerced?” She arched a brow. “I’ve never known you to do anything you didn’t want to do.”
“Kate insisted on a brother/sister dance.”
She slid her arms around his waist and locked her hands at his back. Wrapping them around his neck would be too close… too intimate. “Then, of course, you had to acquiesce.”
“What Kate wants, Kate gets.” His eyes twinkled.
“Like you would ever dream of telling her no,” she teased.
Evan and his sister shared an impenetrable bond, which Janie assumed came from being neglected as children and having to rely on each other before being adopted.
The banter continued, and she didn’t realize a slow song had come on. All around them couples swayed to the music, gazing into each other’s eyes.
And here she was laughing.
“Should we actually dance now?” Evan looked at her with the same merriment she felt.
“Probably. I’m sure our laughter is ruining the romance for others nearby.”
He pulled her closer, whispered in her ear. “If that means seeing you happy, so be it.”
Her stomach flopped in an unfamiliar sensation that she wasn’t inclined to dissect with thought. She leaned her head against his chest. “I am happy tonight.”
“That’s all that matters.” His breath caressed her cheek.
The lyrics to “To Make You Feel My Love” trickled to her ears. All the things a man would do to make a woman feel his love. The woman in the song could be her, minus the falling in love part. But why couldn’t it apply to friendships as well?
A warm embrace covered a multitude of hurts. It was the miracle of a human touch that told her she wasn’t alone, that someone cared. Right here, right now, standing in Evan’s arms, she experienced a wholeness which had long avoided her. Humans were made to connect through touching, and since Mike died, she’d eschewed any physical contact, even embraces from her parents meant for comfort.
But allowing herself to be held, to feel the love of one friend to another, a healing process began in the darkest recesses of her heart.
Chapter Four
Evan sat at the kitchen table in his apartment, reviewing his budget. He had no debt, only the basic bills, and his medical retirement check covered those. Still, he needed more—and not financially speaking.
The VA has sent him several letters to make an appointment, but he’d tossed them aside. Medical retirement from the Marine Corps deemed him unfit for military service. A disability rating from the VA said he was unable to work in the civilian world as well. He couldn’t bring himself to accept that. Working and earning a living was an integral part of life.
His leg would never be the same, but there had to be jobs out there he could still enjoy. It was only a matter of finding one that didn’t require heavy physical exertion or for him to be on his feet for long periods of time. Maybe he’d use his G.I. Bill and go back to school. What would he go for? He didn’t know what he wanted to do, but he’d have to figure it out before too long. The days of sitting home and not working dragged on.
