Eldon turned to her, his lips twisted into a grimace as he saw Mandy standing behind Megan in the doorway.
"Don't give me that look, Eldon Lance," Mandy told him. "She's one helluva fighter, and you can't deny that. Besides, she didn't ask you to be her boyfriend, just to let her fight at your side."
Eldon knew he should keep his mouth shut, but he had to say one last thing.
"We look out for each other. My sister and her girlfriend will be coming with us. I don't expect you to have to take care of yourself, by yourself. We watch each other's backs." He took a moment to meet her eyes, and wished that sparkle of mirth didn't still linger in their brown depths. "I'm sorry for the way I acted. I was trying to keep you safe, but I see that I was… wrong in thinking that way."
