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“You know, there’s this dance party next week for Valentine’s Day,” Nancy said.“Why don’t you take her dancing?”Nancy slapped him on the arm.

Doc glared at his ex-wife.

“Dancing?”Maeve asked.

“It’s Valentine’s Day and I know Doc doesn’t have a date, and I think this would be a good thing.You don’t have to be completely bored, and trust me, he’s a good dancer.”

He was going to kill Nancy.They ended things amicably, and he did consider her a good friend, probably one of the few people he was close to.Right now, she was not a good friend.

“I’d like that.If you don’t have any plans or one of your groupies hanging around your neck,” Maeve said.“It would be fun to go out and dance.I’m in.Even if you’re not, what about you, Nancy?You want to go dancing?”

“Not me.I’ve got a few things on my plate, but you two should go.I know it will get the whole town gossiping.”Nancy let out a little laugh.“Right, I better go and take this one home.What do we owe you for the makeup?”

“Nothing, nothing.It’s all free and if I can help an inspiring makeup artist, I am happy to do that.”Maeve put a finger to her forehead and saluted Nancy.

Charlotte laughed.“Thank you for having me.”

“Next time, tell your parents where you are, and that way I don’t have to be the bad guy.”

Doc didn’t say a word as they walked to the main front door, and they stood together, watching them leave.

Maeve smelled amazing, like cinnamon and chocolate, two of his favorite flavors.She held her hand up and waved toward Nancy.

It was still freezing outside and she turned toward him.“You know, if you don’t want to go dancing, you don’t have to.Nancy kind of put us on the spot there, and I get not wanting to tell your ex no, or anything like that.”

“I’m happy to take you dancing, Maeve.I’ll pick you up at seven.”He handed her the mug, and she took it.

There were two dimples in her cheeks, and he had an overwhelming urge to kiss her, but he held himself back.Dancing first.

Maeve waved him out, and he couldn’t help but look back toward her.Standing in the doorway, he knew she was lonely.He hated to see her like that.

Doc paused at his bike and then turned toward her.“I don’t suppose you want to watch a movie?”he asked.“They’re partying at the club and I’ve got a headache, and I can’t be dealing with their shit.”It wasn’t a total lie.

“A movie?What do you want to watch?”Maeve stepped away from the door, and he smiled.

This was good.This was progress, he thought, as he stepped over the threshold.There was no way he could leave her with her looking so damn sad.He never realized how lonely Maeve was.She’d been there for her sister at every stage of her life.But, no one was there for her.

Closing and locking the door, he kicked off his boots and followed her into the sitting room.“Pick whatever you want to watch,” he said.

He didn’t much care for movies or TV shows.They bored him, but sitting with Maeve made up for it.