With his cousin no longer in his ear, Allen’s eyes skimmed the room. He recognized a few familiar faces from church and the coffee shop. Still, he couldn’t say he felt comfortable walking up to strangers. He could turn in early. He didn’t have to stay for the entire party. Moving towards the front door so no one would spot him, he noticed Heather talking to another man.
Pain in his jaw resulted from clenched teeth. Allen grabbed his own coat. He barely knew the woman, so why should he care if another man paid her attention?
“I’ll think about it, Terrance,” Heather said.
“I’ll see you at work tomorrow. I can’t wait to partner our classes for the fitness boot camp,” Terrance said.
Allen secured his gloves over his long fingers.
“I can’t either, but remember nothing too crazy on your part,” Heather said.
Terrance added, “Same goes for you. I admire a career woman, but you’re tough.”
Career woman? Allen bit his bottom lip. There was nothing wrong with a woman having ambition, but his ex-wife —
“Are you sneaking out?” Heather asked.
Allen looked around and noticed he and Heather were the only ones in the foyer. “Um… yeah.”
She gestured to the living room. “You didn’t want to dance?”
He shook his head. “No thanks. I have an early morning.”
She raised an arched eyebrow. “What do you do?”
“Physical therapist. Look I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “It’s okay. It’s not like I dictated my social security number.”
He chuckled. “I wouldn’t steal that, anyway.”
“An honest man.” She brushed past him and he caught a whiff of her perfume. Was that lilac he smelled? “I can appreciate that.”
When Heather grabbed her own coat, Allen hurried in front of her to open the door for her.
Her eyes widened. “And a gentleman. You’re really trying to impress me, aren't you?”
He couldn’t hide his smile. “You sure keep a man on his toes.”
“Don’t like it?” she asked.
He stared into her coal eyes. “I don’t know yet.”
Heather grabbed the railing of the porch steps. Allen took care noticing the ice and extended his hand to her and she took it. As they descended and walked towards the sidewalk, he released his grip.
“What made you decide on physical therapy?” she asked.
He tucked his hands in his pockets. “My grandfather. He had a stroke when I was a kid and I remember coming to visit and his therapist was there helping him. I wanted to help people too. You?”
“Well… I chose fitness because I’ve always loved being in shape. My mom struggled when she was my age and after having kids, it was hard for her to find a program that worked. I became a Pilates instructor.”
“Pi-what?”
Heather’s eyebrows shot up. “Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of Pilates?”
Allen laughed at his own joke. “I have.”
Catching onto his teasing, she rolled her eyes despite her gleaming smile. Stopping mid-stride they both stared at the star-sprinkled night sky. A few clouds formed because of the report of snow, but Allen enjoyed the silence with Heather.