Page 58 of Marry Me

After ten tries, Allison finally decided to go with the white knit top because she’d been told in the past that it really flattered her figure. She’d added a necklace because it softened the look. Gray booties that Betsy insisted were in topped off Allison’s faded, slim-cut jeans that cost more than she had any right spending on a teacher’s salary but fit her better than any pair she’d ever owned. Yet as she stood in front of Megan’s door, she wasn’t sure she had the courage to actually knock. As always, soft tunes floated from inside. She imagined Megan opening a bottle of wine, waiting on Allison to arrive before partaking herself. Once she saw Megan and those gorgeous brown eyes, she would be fine, right? Because every part of her trembled with anticipation, and if they weren’t good in bed together, what did that say? Would it even matter? No, she decided, because this felt like more than sex. Sex was a bonus. Saucy. Exciting. But it wasn’t the be-all end-all to happiness.

At the same time, there was no way in hell they wouldn’t be good together.

Just knock.

She shifted her weight, fully aware of the overnight bag on her shoulder, which felt so deliberate she was almost blushing.Here I am for a sex date.That was her.

Just knock.

Should she add a touch more lip gloss? She might have rubbed it off with all the nervous pursing of her lips on the way over. Before she could come to a decision, the door opened, and Megan looked back at her expectantly.

“Are you having words with yourself in your head while you stand in my hallway? An internal debate?”

She had been, yes. “How did you know?”

“Well, you’ve been standing out here for a couple of minutes now, and I know that you tend to overthink. And talk to yourself. I figured both were likely afoot.”

“Afoot, indeed.” Allison exhaled, already feeling better because she was understood. “You’re a spy.”

“Well, the building helps. When a visitor is on their way up, the door folks buzz me.”

She nodded, but really her attention was on Megan, once again in bare feet, which just made her so human and damn attractive. Maroon nail polish, and her hair. God. “Your hair is down. It’s so pretty.”

Megan absently touched the back of it. “You get the chill version of me tonight.”

“That’s my favorite. When you’re relaxed.”

A pause.

Megan eyed her. “Would you like to stay in the hallway? Totally up to you. I don’t boss my guests around.”

Allison laughed, realizing the ridiculous nature of her behavior. “I’m most definitely coming inside.” She didn’t wait for further invitation and breezed past Megan, finding her confidence. It was close to eight, and they’d agreed to meet up after dinner since Megan had had a late meeting, the only time that week the entire staff was free.

The apartment was quiet except for the soft music playing from the sound system. She was beginning to feel more at home in the space, the more she visited. In fact, it was becoming a great getaway spot for her. A soft place to fall and relax after the whirlwind of her life.

Megan gestured to the open sliding glass door. “I was out on the balcony before you arrived. It’s a beautiful night. Wanna join me?”

Oh, she very much did. “I’m in.” She accepted the glass of wine Megan offered and dropped her presumptive bag sheepishly near the door. Luckily, Megan hadn’t paid it any attention.

She’d taken a peek out onto the balcony before but had never spent any time there. Megan had two comfortable chairs and a small table outside overlooking the gorgeous, twinkling lights of downtown Dallas.

“Wow. This is something.” There was a slight chill in the air, but nothing she couldn’t handle. When Megan put her arms around her from behind, she warmed instantly, and the world settled. In fact, she wasn’t sure she’d ever felt more satisfied, so she pushed back against her, wanting more. “Hi,” she said quietly.

Megan kissed her cheek. “I’ve missed you. More than I should admit.”

“Oh, please admit. Because I’ve missed you back. Since I saw you yesterday, I’ve been thinking about tonight a lot.”

“Letting you go home last night was hard. I was…keyed up.” Her darkened eyes told the larger story. Megan had been turned on thinking about her, and that had Allison grappling for strength. Her eyes moved over Megan’s body. She wanted nothing more than to step into Megan’s space and take what she desperately wanted. Toss that shirt to the side and unbutton those low-rise jeans that Megan looked so damn hot in.

“Hard for me, too,” she said instead. They had time, right?

She took in the dark sky, the few stars that shone through the cloud cover, and the brightly colored office buildings, one of which changed color every ten seconds or so. “It must be nice to sit out here and watch that guy shift colors.” She gestured with her head to the building.

Megan came to stand next to her at the railing, their shoulders touching, which made the whole left side of her body warm. “Ah, that’s an office building. A Bank of America on its most prominent floors. They added those LED lights a few years back, and now it’s a nightly show. Relaxing to watch one color fade into the next with a glass of red after work.”

Ally turned to face Megan. “You know everything.”

Megan’s eyes went wide, dancing. “That’s probably my most favorite compliment I’ve ever received. I’m going to have you write it down later. Stick it to my fridge.”

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