She watched him grimace before taking her by the shoulder and facing him fully with one steady hand and lifting her chin to meet his earnest eyes with the other. "I was an asshole before, and I'm sorry. I could make excuses about not wanting to put you in danger, or how your timing was terrible—"
"Eldon," Shlee elbowed him, but he didn't break eye contact with Megan.
"But the truth is, I'm glad to have you with us," he continued as though he weren't interrupted. "You're strong, talented, resilient, and I like that you won't take crap from anyone."
"Crap?" Megan teased him at his phrasing.
"Yeah, well, I guess I got my dad's dislike of swearing," he gave a self-deprecating chuckle. "It can have its place, but it's hard to be crass when I'm staring at such a respectable woman."
