“What would you recommend?” Ean kept his gaze on Megan’s bent head.
The differences between Megan and Ramona were even more pronounced as they shared the booth’s bench seating. Both women were lovely, but in different ways.
Everything about Megan was understated in comparison to her cousin. She was quietly elegant, with conservative clothes, lack of makeup and minimal jewelry. In contrast, Ramona’s expertly applied makeup and thick gold jewelry gave her an exotic appearance.
Megan looked up and her gaze locked with Ean’s. She hesitated before answering. “I like their chicken Parmesan. What about you, Quincy?”
His friend peeled his attention from the menu. “I like the New York strip steak and steamed vegetables.”
Ramona’s grunt was far from ladylike. “If you want a New York steak, you should go to New York.”
Quincy met Ramona’s gaze without expression. “It’s typical of you to criticize something you know nothing about.”
Ean stared at Quincy. What was the cause of his hostility?
Ramona leaned into the table and hissed, “I know what a New York steak tastes like.” She turned on Ean. “Tell them.”
“Ramona.” Megan’s low voice was a request.
Ean ignored Ramona’s command. “Both recommendations sound good. I’ll go with the steak, though. I’ve already had chicken this week.”
Ean gave Megan a quick glance. Did she remember their dinner—and the kiss they shared? She looked away. The blush rising beneath her honey brown skin said she did.
Their server arrived to take their drink orders. She appeared young enough to be carded, but must have been a student at Trinity Falls University. Everyone ordered iced tea, except Ramona, who wanted white wine.
Ramona leaned back into her seat. She looked from Quincy, who was diagonally across the table from her, to Megan on her left. “Are you two dating?” The question was tinged with sarcasm.
Ean stilled. He needed to hear the answer. But wouldn’t Quincy have said something to him? Wouldn’t Megan have mentioned it Thursday night?
“Are you and Ean dating?” Quincy’s response didn’t relieve Ean’s worry.
But why was Ean concerned over whether one of his best friends was dating his ex-girlfriend’s cousin? He wasn’t concerned. He was jealous.
Ramona held Ean’s gaze. A secretive smile curved her lips as she answered Quincy’s question. “I don’t know whether or not we’re dating again. It depends on whether I can convince Ean to return to New York with me.”
Ean wasn’t playing this game. “That’s not going to happen, Ramona.”
Quincy shrugged. His response was swift and satisfied. “It sounds like you have your answer. You’re not dating.”
Ean frowned at his friend. In high school, Quincy had barely spoken two words to Ramona. That had been bad enough. But now his friend wouldn’t stop attacking her. Why?
“Are you really staying in Trinity Falls?” Megan’s question redirected the tension.
Ean met her gaze. “I wouldn’t have come back if I didn’t intend to stay.”
He wasn’t dating Ramona and he was staying in Trinity Falls. What did Megan think about these things?
Their server delivered their drinks, then offered to take their orders. Ean and Quincy ordered the steak. Megan requested the chicken Parmesan. Apparently, she wasn’t opposed to eating the same thing several nights a week.
Then the young woman asked for Ramona’s order.
Ramona glared at the menu. “Did you get this salmon fresh?”
“Yes, ma’am.” The young woman stood with her pen poised above her notepad.
“How fresh?” Ramona’s questions snapped out with a speed and ferocity that would catapult a criminal prosecutor to fame.
“I—I’m certain it’s fresh, ma’am.” The server seemed taken aback by the cross-examination.