Elly stared straight ahead. “Thank you for your concern,” she said blandly.
Keith stepped back. “I’m not trying to argue, Elly. Let’s not talk about it, okay?”
Elly angrily yanked open the fridge. “That’s fine. I don’t want to argue, either.” She did, though. She wanted to argue about this with Keith. Why, though, why was she so provoked by this? Was it because of her past? Or her own growing doubts about Dennis? With Dennis right in the middle of it? She tried to find a neutral subject. “How’s Cadbury doing? Did he wreck your place already?”
Keith gave a smile as he helped Elly dish out the manicotti. “He really has a thing for the rug in my bathroom.”
“Aw, what a sweetie, does he sleep on it?”
“Not … exactly,” muttered Keith.
“Oh,” said Elly. “Oh! Oh, ew. So sorry about that.”
“Other than that life-changing love affair, I would say that he’s settled in pretty well.”
“Did he take you on a walk this morning?” Elly laughed. “He has a tendency to drag, as you know.” She popped the manicotti in the microwave. “Are your knees bruised?”
Keith rubbed his head. He did that when he was nervous, Elly knew. Why was he nervous? “Uh, no, it was fine. A good walk.”
An alarm went off in Elly’s brain as she stared at him. He was lying. She had never seen him lie to her before, maybe because he was so obviously awful at it. He stared at the ceiling, fidgeting nervously. Why would he ever have to lie about walking the dog? Unless he wasn’t alone, her brain whispered. She shook the thought loose from her head. Stop it. Stop it. You’re being crazy. He’s not Aaron, he’s not your ex-husband. This is Keith. He’s crazy about you.
As if he could hear her thoughts, Keith pulled Elly close to his chest and wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her curls. “I’m sorry for butting in where I don’t belong. I know Dennis might be your brother, and that you want to treat him like family. I want to help you do that in any way I can. I guess I just don’t want anyone taking advantage of you.” His manly hands ran up her neck, until he cupped her face gently. “You are the only thing that matters.” He kissed her lightly. “You are my bathroom rug.”
Elly let herself fall into his kiss, slowly at first and then with a passion that scared her. His warm mouth made everything fade away, even that nagging feeling that had crept up so rapidly. The microwave gave a shrill beep, and Elly pulled away. “No more!” she whispered with a smile. “Dennis is here! We will have to go your place for kissing now.”
Keith gave a dejected nod. “There’s always your studio.”
“That’s comfortable,” sighed Elly. “Why haven’t I seen your apartment yet? Is it really that bad?”
“You would be surprised,” muttered Keith.
Elly walked down the hall to Dennis’s room. She almost opened the door but stopped herself short and gave a gentle rap. “Dennis, may I come in?” Elly heard an approving grunt.
Dennis was still in the exact spot she had left him—staring at her computer monitor, eyes rapt on the screen, which was now a whirlwind of color and loud explosions.
“Oh, that looks interesting!” She set the manicotti down next to him. “Is that your magic coat?”
Dennis looked over at her with a frown of annoyance. “No.”
Elly stood up. “If you wouldn’t mind, could you bring out your plate when you are done?”
“Sure thing,” muttered Dennis. He looked down at the warm manicotti and then back up at Elly, with something vaguely resembling gratefulness. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” Elly shut the door quietly behind her. She headed into the living room and sank onto the couch with Keith, curling herself against his side.
“How’d it go?” he asked.
Elly gave a shrug. “I think he really likes that game.”
“He seems pretty passionate about it.” Keith wrapped his hand around hers, bringing it to his mouth for a kiss. “I’m sure that this is going to be great, him staying here.” He looked at the ceiling. He was lying. Again. Elly pushed down the surge of crazy circling up from below. It’s fine. Everything is fine. Keith gave her hand a soft squeeze and reached for his wine glass. “So … tell me all about Lola Plumb.”
Elly thought for a second. “Actually, she’s kind of nice. Nice and very sad.”
Keith raised his eyebrows, making a scandalized face. I love him, thought Elly, suddenly, impulsively. Oh Lord, I love him. She watched as he took a bite of manicotti, making happy faces and sounds. “Oh, so good,” he sighed. Please don’t hurt me, Keith. I’m not sure I could survive it.
She hated even the thought of it.
Chapter Thirteen