Page 35 of Marry Me

“Right. Well, maybe coffee tomorrow? There are some things that I want to—”

“Sundays are generally my days to decompress.” More scanning of the room, anything to get them out of this. It was already painful to look at Allison, and they’d never been more than friends. She couldn’t imagine the ramifications if they’d gone further. It wasn’t a good idea to drag this out.

“Okay. I see.” Allison took a moment. “Well, then, I’ll just say that Brent and I have stepped back from each other. I returned the ring. At least for now. He wants me to take time for myself, figure things out.”

Megan’s gaze shot to Allison’s ring finger, and sure enough, it was bare. She opened her mouth to speak, not even sure what to say, but Ally beat her there.

“So now you’re caught up. One of the first people I’ve told.” She nodded resolutely. “I’ll let you get back to your life. Sorry to bother.”

Megan stared after her, agape.

The engagement was off? What was she supposed to do with that information because her head was already spinning. This was an opening, yes, but was it wise to take it? Getting involved with Allison, even though everything in her screamed for the chance, also came with a lot of unknowns. First of all, she’d been straight, up until recently. Or at least thought that she was. Then there were her ties to the very powerful Carmichael family, who Megan didn’t want to upset. But most of all, Allison Hale had a string attached to Megan’s heart, and the power of it scared her, especially after the difficult last few weeks. Was this really a leap she wanted to make, knowing that the stakes were astronomical?

The rest of her wasn’t listening.

She stole glances at Allison throughout the night, watching her with new eyes. She smiled as Allison danced with her sister across the floor during one of those fast-paced medleys designed for wedding receptions, cheesy and fun. But it was the way she danced that really stole Megan’s attention. Unencumbered and having the best time like a goofball. Her shoes were off, her hair had come down, and Megan swore she could hear her laugh through all the other noise in the room.

They didn’t speak again that night, but after gooey nachos and a glass of burgundy, Megan sat with her feet up on her coffee table, wondering what Allison was up to. She managed to wait until the next day to reach out, sending out a singular text message.

So…that coffee offer. For Froman’s?

The response took less than an hour to arrive.

No other spot.

Chapter Eight

Allison beat her to the coffee shop this time. She stood at the counter surveying the contents of the pastry case when Megan arrived and got in line behind her.

“It’s eleven a.m. on a Sunday morning. I say you go for it.”

Ally turned and met her gaze. Her mouth opened and then closed before, finally, she smiled. “Hi. I didn’t see you come in.”

“I didn’t make a big commotion. Hi.”

Allison gestured to the display case. “I was investigating the options. I’m thinking about something with frosting.”

“Well, that cinnamon roll looks right up your alley, then.”

Allison stared at it longingly. “Should I?”

“Have the cinnamon roll. In fact, we’ll take two,” she told the barista, who nodded and rang them up. They ordered their Toffee Crunch Dreams, and Megan handed over her credit card. “My turn.”

“I don’t argue with free coffee from my ex-wedding planners.”

“Wow. Your policies are specific.”

Ally furrowed her brow. “Gotta be prepared, you know?”

They found themselves a quiet booth with lots of sunlight and stared at each other. “I didn’t expect to be sitting with you like this again,” Megan said.

Allison inhaled deeply and shook her head. “Me neither. In fact, I don’t even know what to say.” She stared into her lap, probably corralling her thoughts. Megan waited patiently. “Except I knew I had to see you, talk to you, let you know what happened with Brent and me. It may make zero difference to you. For all I know, you were nice to me because I was a high-profile client.”

“First of all, that wasn’t the case. I’m always professional, but anything beyond, well, that was all me.” It was crazy that she would think otherwise. “You always undervalue yourself. Do you know that?”

Allison seemed uncomfortable. “No. I just don’t overvalue myself either. I have some great qualities. Did you know I can knit? I don’t a whole lot, but I can. I’m good, too.”

Megan laughed. “Color me impressed, but you’re so much more than you seem to understand. You do sparkle, Ally. The sparkliest purple crayon in the box. You have to trust me on that one.”

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