Zach took in the smile and gave a small one back. When Ernie let go of his hand, he felt something drop inside, but Zach didn't try to take Ernie's hand back just then. No, it was supposed to be something they both wanted, and removing his hand had showed he didn't want to hold Zach's just then. Because Zach had been holding his! Zach hadn't pulled back. Zach wanted to. But Ernie hadn't wanted him then, and Zach wasn't going to force anything ever.
The food was still good. Zach focused on eating and just looking at Ernie as anyone would anyone sitting with them during dinner. Zach glanced at the shirt Ernie was talking about and almost blushed. They were looking at his chest, one of the few items Zach didn't let Ernie see in the room. Because that would have been awkward.
"Sure," Zach replied, "and a load of laundry would probably be good. I was waiting because I'd heard the lines were long." He didn't want to waste Ernie's time, if there were better things he could have been doing.