Helen had rejoiced about that when she left for her mom’s house. “If the news is correct, it won’t snow again until maybe late Saturday night.” She closed the door behind him before any more heat could escape.
Warren shrugged out of his heavy wool jacket.
“I’ll hang that for you.” Ruth took the jacket from his hands, the scent of his aftershave filling her senses.
Warren slipped his hands into his pants pockets. “Thanks. I hope it’s okay I stopped in without calling first.”
“Of course. You know you’re always welcome here.” Or anywhere else I am. “Have a seat.” Ruth hung his jacket in the closet, and then she turned back toward him. “I just heated up something to eat. Are you hungry?”
With a shake of his head, he walked over to the couch and sat. “I ate. Are you moving or something?” He gestured toward the boxes.
“No, that’s Helen’s stuff. She’s getting married Saturday afternoon.”
“That’s right. You’re her maid of honor.”
Yep, once again she was part of a friend’s bridal party. This would be the fourth friend married in the past two years. “A maid of honor whose date canceled on her yesterday. I’ve never gone to a wedding without a date.”
Warren stiffened. “You’re seeing someone? Not the same guy as before Christmas?”
Was she imaging it or had his voice changed? His posture had. “No, I’m not seeing anyone. My friend Steven, he used to work at the store, planned to come with me. He’s known Helen for a long time, too. But he has the flu.”
Warren relaxed again or at least it appeared as if he did.
“I asked Dan, but he has plans, so I’m on my own.”
“If you want, I’ll go with you.”
The next time she went for a physical she needed her head checked. After all, she was hearing things. That was never a good sign.
“I’m down here all weekend, and I like Helen,” Warren said before she responded. “If you don’t want me to, that’s okay.”
Didn’t want him too? Maybe he was the one who needed his head checked. “Are you sure? What if the media finds out or something?”
“All they’ll learn is that I took an old friend to a wedding.” He leaned back and stretched his long legs.
“That would be great.”
He looked back over at her and gave her another one of his real smiles. This time her heart not only flipped but also started to disco dance in her chest. Afraid he might see her true feelings, she looked at the television. “We can put on something else if you want. You probably don’t like this show.”
“This is fine. There isn’t much on Thursday nights anyway. I didn’t know you liked this show.”
It was one of the few television shows she enjoyed. “I read the books when I was younger and loved them. If I’m home, I watch it every week.”
Over the next few minutes they sat in silence watching television while Ruth finished her dinner. When the show went to another commercial break, she spoke again. “I’m going to make some hot chocolate; would you like some?” She knew Warren loved chocolate. When she’d worked in the convenience store, he’d often stop in for chocolate bars and soda. Warren had a thing for sugar.
“With whip cream?”
“You’re out of luck. I only have marshmallows.”
Warren sighed as if it was the end of the world. “I guess that’ll do,” he said, following her into the kitchen.
The skin on the back of her neck tingled as she poured milk into a saucepan. It’s my imagination. Warren’s not watching me . Her silent lecture didn’t help her shake the feeling, so rather than think about it, she started up another conversation. “What are you doing down here? You don’t normally come to Newport in the winter. Is your grandmother okay?”
“She’s better than ever. Her cardiologist has her on a strict diet, and it seems to be working.” Warren snagged a mini marshmallow from the bag on the table and popped it in his mouth. “I thought I’d give my brother and his girlfriend some privacy for the weekend, since Sunday is Valentine’s Day.” Damn, why was he finding this so difficult? He might not have his younger cousin’s playboy reputation, but he could meet a woman and ask her out without blinking an eye. What was his problem tonight?
“I forgot that you and Mark were living together now. Is he graduating this year?”
“Yes, but he won’t be going far. He starts Harvard Law in the fall, so I’m stuck with him for a little longer,” Warren joked. Actually, he liked having his brother as a roommate. Well, he liked it most of the time. “Are you going to get a new roommate since Helen’s moving out?”