He heard the doorbell chiming, and hurried through the house to let Maegan in. She wore the same outfit she’d had on earlier, a pair of wide leg jeans and a magenta sweater that complemented her creamy complexion.
“I stopped by the diner and picked up a gallon of sweet tea.” She held up the plastic jug.” The salad I made on my own, even the dressing.”
“You made your own dressing?” Reaching out, he took the tea from her.
“It’s a simple balsamic vinegarette, but it goes well with the berry salad.”
“Is that like the one your mom made last week?” Berries in a non-fruit salad had been a foreign concept to him, but he’d been surprised how much he’d loved the salad comprised of spring mix, feta cheese, strawberries, blueberries, and pecans.
“Yes, I remember how you raved about it, so I made that instead of a regular tossed salad. The only difference from mom’s is the dressing. She used a raspberry vinegarette, but this balsamic one works just as well. Even mom switches back and forth.”
“I’m sure it’s delicious.” He jerked his head in the direction of the rear of the house. “The steaks are almost finished.”
“Good because I’m hungry. It wasn’t until I closed shop for the day that I realized I never ate.”
“If you leave hungry tonight, that’s on you.” He opened the back door for her. “You can set the salad on the patio table. I’ll bring out dishes and utensils.”
Ten minutes later, they were sitting outside, eating their meal. He’d lit the firepit to ward off the slight chill that hit once the sun had set.
“This steak is amazing.” Maegan’s appreciation for the food showed in her eagerness to savor each bite. “I’m spoiled for life. I’ll never be able to enjoy one the same at a steakhouse again.”
Her enthusiastic praise did wonders for his male ego. “Anytime you want a steak, let me know and I’ll make you one.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” she teased. “You have no idea how much I enjoy a ribeye or porterhouse.”
He chuckled and pointed to a small bit of steak juice on her chin. “Oh, I think I have an idea.”
“Do I have food on me? Oh dear.” She hurriedly grabbed a napkin and dabbed the spot away. “I did warn you.”
“You did, and I’m glad you like to eat. Alyssa would eat like a bird in front of me, but when she thought I wasn’t looking, she would shovel away food. I’ll never understand why some women hide an appetite from men.”
Maegan’s face contorted into a scowl. “As a woman, I can attest to the many societal pressures we face. I was fortunate tohave parents who taught me to be myself and to find my identity in God, but many women don’t have that influence.”
“That’s a shame for them.”
“Honestly, even with my upbringing and strong faith, I let what happen with Jess wreak havoc on me. I just realized that I can be judgmental of those women, yet I’ve done the same thing- let a man control my actions and emotions.” Her scowl turned into a full frown. “How didn’t I realize that until now?”
A wave of sympathy struck him. Extending his arm across the table, he took her hand. “Don’t be hard on yourself. None of us are perfect, and after what Jess did, your subsequent reactions seem normal.”
Her frown began to fade. “There is a plus side to what happened with Jess that I realized. If we had stayed together then I’d be with him now, married to the wrong person, and not here with you.”
He smiled and shot her a wink. “If I ever meet Jess, remind me to thank him for being a jerk and calling off your wedding.”
Maegan broke out into a wide grin. “I think I will thank him also.”
“Can I make a confession?” He waited for her approval before continuing. “I’m going to miss you while I’m away. Our friendship means the world to me. When I had the idea of pretending to be interested in each other and dating, I had my reservations, but I’m glad we did.”
“Me too,” she whispered but with an odd expression lingering in her eyes. “We’ve had fun these last three weeks, haven’t we?”
“The most fun.”
Their eyes locked, and he became hyperaware of his hand still on hers. The urge to help her to her feet, take her in his arms, and kiss her both overwhelmed and terrified him. Suddenly her hand became like one of the scorched coals in the grill and he released it abruptly.
Where had that come from? What had he been thinking? Maegan was a friend. A very dear friend, but only that. He wasn’t ready to date again. Though he’d forgiven Alyssa, his heart remained fragile.
Apparently sensing the shift, Maegan cleared her throat. “Did you get everything packed that you need?”
“Other than toiletries, but I’ll add those in the morning once I’m ready.”
