Page 10 of Marry Me

Kelsey paused, squinted, and quirked her head. “I don’t have any.”

“Total shame,” Megan said and headed back to her office to do a little more work.

* * *

“What do you mean you booked Soiree? Just like that?” Betsy shrieked like a fourteen-year-old girl at a BTS concert. Allison reflexively covered her ears. At her sister’s invitation, she’d joined Betsy for her nightly speed walk through her neighborhood. Apparently, now that Allison was a bride-to-be, her sister thought she should up her fitness game. With a shrug, she’d tossed on her old tennis shoes and made the drive to Betsy’s posh neighborhood with all the sculpted shrubbery and stop signs with actual landscaping around them.

Allison tried to mimic her sister’s fast-paced arm movements that made her look more than a little silly. She went with it anyway, hustling like a suburban she boss. “I dropped the name Carmichael, and the magical doors opened. I’ve already had my first consultation.”

Betsy let out another scream. Those should really come with warnings, or else she needed earmuffs for these encounters. “I can’t decide if I’m thrilled or jealous. I think it’s both, but I’m leaning in to thrilled. What was it like? Who did you meet with?” Her arms still shuffled a mile a minute like a wind-up toy.

“Megan Kinkaid.”

“You did not.” At the mention of Megan’s name, Betsy upped her arm hustle, so Allison followed suit.

“I did so. She took the meeting herself. She was both beautiful and smart. And oh my God, you should see her gorgeous skin.”

“I’ve seen photos. It’s a treasure.”

Allison thought back on the moment Megan had entered the room. Her dark hair had been down and her brown eyes large and luminous. She’d wore a tan business suit and matching heels that made her looklike what her father would deem a million bucks. “She also comes with this calming presence that just takes over the room. She had my nerves in check in under a minute.”

“This is why she’s on the map. Did you settle on a date?”

“She suggested the first week of June, and I’m great with that.”

“That’s a killer date, and she knows it. Damn, she’s good.”

“I had no idea there were killer dates.”

“Well, there are. And you snagged one, you lucky thing.”

“How long do we have to do this?” Allison asked, already feeling a little winded. “People are likely laughing at us, you know.”

“Are not. Suck it up. Another mile.”

Allison gasped. “Fabulous. You’re trying to kill me because I’m a June bride. This is a cruel way to go. Death by maniacal arm movement.”

“You’re going to thank me one day.”

“No, I never will.”

They fell into quiet huffing, and Allison reflected on her meeting with Megan and how happy she was that someone now had the reins and would help her through this monstrous task. Not only that, but she’d really liked Megan Kinkaid. She was confident and warm at the same time, the kind of person who made an impression on you and stood out in a group.

“Mom says that the BeLeaf meeting went well.” The statement pulled Allison immediately from her thoughts. That’s right! She’d been so caught up with Soiree, she’d forgotten that the meeting had been today.

“Really? That’s fantastic. Tell me more.”

“I think the deal is a go.”

“They’re interested in putting the Dash Bar on the shelves? Brent hinted that his father was serious about the Dash and told the buyers as much, but I was still holding my breath, you know?”

“We all were.” Betsy looked over at her. “Don’t tell Mom and Dad, but I was really worried. They need this, Ally. So very badly.”

“I know. Things have been tight.”

“It’s worse than that. I’m not sure you realize this, but they’ve invested far too much money in the Dash Bar.”

“Really? Then I’m so glad this is happening. They just think it’s the next big thing, and you know what?” Hope filled her heart. “Maybeit will be. Maybe the stars have finally aligned. God, I hope so. They work so hard, Bets.”

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