Page 43 of Marry Me

“Good night.”

Allison could have sworn she floated down that hallway, unableto comprehend how this was an aspect of life she’d gone this long without. Before hopping on the elevator, she took a moment, closed her eyes, and allowed herself to memorize every moment of tonight. She was pretty sure there was nothing better. Well…maybe one thing. She smiled and headed home on a strange new high.

Chapter Nine

Allison Eileen Hale.”

The biting tone in Betsy’s voice said everything. Allison closed her eyes and adjusted the phone, preparing for the onslaught. She was going to have to explain herself to her sister, whether she wanted to or not. “Hey. What’s new Betsy?” she said in her most upbeat voice.

“You know damn well what’s new. The question is what the hell are you thinking, and even more importantly, why wasn’t I told that there was even an issue between you and Brent?”

She winced. She’d known this conversation was coming. She had just hoped to put if off a bit longer and have the news come from her. But she’d apparently waited too long, the cat was out of the bag, and here she was. “Oh. Well, Brent and I have taken a break, if that’s what you’re referencing.”

“A break? Or a breakup?” Betsy practically shrieked. “They’re different.”

“I think that’s what we’re figuring out.”

“This makes no sense at all. You had your whole life laid out like a perfectly wrapped Christmas present and he was so excited. Why would he end it? What did you do?”

She sighed. “This is more about me. I had doubts, and he was understanding.”

“This is just unacceptable. I’m coming over.”

“No, no, no. You really don’t have to—” The phone went dead, and thirteen minutes later Betsy was on her doorstep with angry eyes. Allison, accepting her fate, held the door open for her sister, who breezed in and planted herself on the couch with a pointed look on herface. She wore exercise clothes and picture-perfect makeup, of course. Nary a crisis could get in the way of her outward perfection.

“Well?”

Allison stood in front of her with her hands placed on her hips. “It’s been an interesting time. I can admit that.”

“You’re engaged to the most eligible bachelor in Texas and throw it all away because of aninteresting time. Sweet Allison, I don’t know whether to hug you or shake you, but I’m here now, and maybe it’s not too late to turn this ship around and fix things. Put the wedding back on track.”

“No. That’s not the best idea.”

“It’s the only idea, and thank God in sneakers I’m here to talk some sense into you. Why didn’t you call me the moment you had a doubt? I’m yoursister, dammit.”

Frustration bubbled. “Because of this. You don’t listen to me. You’ve been here two minutes, and you’ve already decided what course I should be on in life and are prepared to thrust me onto it, even if it’s not what’s best.”

“That’s becauseI love you, and as your big sister, sometimes I can see things that you can’t.”

“But I’m not twelve years old anymore, Bets. This is not you telling me to watch out for Mr. Bonner’s algebra class. For God’s sake, this is the rest of my life we’re talking about.” She’d gotten loud, shouted even, which was not normal behavior.

Betsy matched her. “Which makes it more crucial than ever. There are angles you haven’t even considered.”

“I doubt that.”

“And what brought this on in the first place? Did you fight?”

Allison closed her eyes. “No, we rarely fight. I met someone very unexpected.”

The sentence landed with a thud. Betsy just stared at her. Finally, her jaw dropped.

“What? You’re not going to say anything?” Allison took a seat and a breath, slowing them the hell down. “Look, I didn’t plan on any of this. It’s upended my whole life, but sometimes you have to take a moment.”

“What’s his name? And where in the world did you meet him? You don’t go anywhere, and when you do, it’s with Brent.” She seemed tobe searching desperately through her brain. “Oh my God. That cocktail party of Megan Kinkaid’s. You met someone there.”

Allison felt the blood drain from her face at the mention of Megan’s name. She wasn’t ashamed that Megan was a woman, but it was a big deal to announce that particular detail when she wasn’t sure she had all the facts yet herself. She’d thought there’d be more time. “Nothing happened at the cocktail party.”

“But he was there. You can admit it.”

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