Dean hadn't meant to make the sound. He'd liked Alfred. He also hoped that the Zoe woman didn't notice how quickly he got out of the slippers. Men did not wear slippers. He claimed the beer with a smile, nodding.
As soon as he had the beer, a good pull from the bottle, he slid over to stand near Dinah. He was her date, right? Plus, Zoe kept giving him a look. He didn't think she wanted to have her way with him, so much as rake him over coals to see if he was good enough for something. It was the look parents gave him when he had the unfortunate luck to meet them.
His free hand lightly rested at Dinah's back. It might have been overly familiar, but he wanted her to know that he was ready to face the awkward that was this dinner with her. He also thought if anyone could keep that almost fierce beauty away from him, it would probably be Dinah. A silly smile settled on his lips as he imagined the two women going at it. That could be hot.