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“No, no. I was with you.” Again, incredibly endearing. And cute.

Megan opened the Hale/Carmichael file on her computer and turned the oversized monitor so it was visible to both her and Allison. “I went over some of the photos you flagged for me since we chatted last.”

“I’m all over the map on style, aren’t I?”

“Actually, no.” Megan brought up four of the photos and placed them side by side. “In terms of hue, you like bronzes and champagnes with little pops of bright color. Very elegant, in fact. I like it.”

Allison’s cheeks turned red, and she sat taller. “Really? I have actual style?”

Megan narrowed her gaze because as much as she liked Allison, she sure didn’t come with a ton of confidence in herself. “You do. You also sell yourself short. File that away.”

More blushing. “I think that’s me just knowing my lane. I’m a pretty good roller skater.”

“I think it’s a broader lane than that. Based on what you’ve shown me, I have a photographer you’re going to love. Not at all cheap, but after Brent handed over the budget, I don’t think we have to worry.”

“Okay. I suppose that’s good news.” A pause while Megan pulled up the website. “I had a dream about you recently.”

Megan raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah?” She paused her file sorting and met Allison’s tentative gaze.

“I don’t even know why I’m bringing this up, but have you ever had one of those dreams where afterward the person in it takes on new meaning? As in, you feel like you know them when you really don’t? It was like that.”

Megan was intrigued. “What was the dream about?”

“We were on this beach, and we were so comfortable with each other, and relaxed. Almost like we were very close, you know?”

Megan smiled. It didn’t sound half bad. “I do know. I grew up on a beach, and I could use one about now.” She squinted. “How do we make that happen?”

Allison laughed. “I’m glad you don’t think I’m a lunatic. The dream lingered with me a bit, and now, seeing you, it’s coming back in full force.” Her voice got quieter. “It’s random, but really nice. Maybe we were meant to meet. Crazy?”

“Oh,” Megan said, her mouth making the shape of the word. The way Allison was looking at her had pulled her up short. Like she mattered, and that Allison was happy about that. Megan held her gaze for a moment, forgetting the trajectory of the meeting altogether. In fact, she couldn’t quite find the words she wanted at all. What was her name again?

“I didn’t mean to derail us,” Allison said finally, saving them from the silence. “Sometimes I’m a one-way segue to randomville. You can proceed with your impressive professionalism and tell me about that photographer.”

Megan blinked a couple of times, grinned, and shook her head. “Right. Photos. The photos are probably more important than anything. The day will be gone in a flash, but the photos last a lifetime.”

They looked through the sample shots, and Allison seemed captivated, nodding and pointing out all the minute details Megan herself had always been impressed with. “You notice the little things,” Megan said.

“Sometimes big and flashy get all the attention when something amazing and less noticeable is standing right there in front of a person.”

“That is such a true, and often unrecognized, statement.” Somehow, Megan got the feeling that the analogy was not limited to the details in a photograph. Megan herself had even paused at Brent’s choice of the schoolteacher, of all people, for his bride. But the more minutes she clocked in Allison’s presence, the more she understood how thoughtful she was, how unique, and what a life force she possessed.

Allison checked her watch, probably realizing that their consultation was coming to a close. “Well, we knocked one thing off the list. Provided you can score your photographer.”

“I have my ways,” Megan said and tapped her temple. “Shall we schedule another meeting soon?”

“Yes, but while I have your attention, I have a favor to ask.”

Megan wasn’t sure where this was going, but her interest was piqued. “I’m listening.”

“Career Week is approaching next week at school, and I was wondering if someone from your office might be willing to come out and speak to my class.” She held up a hand. “No major speaker fee, unfortunately, but I do offer a gift certificate to the Nutcase, a fantastic healthy grab-and-go café.”

“Well, how can I say no to free stuff at the Nutcase, a healthy grab-and-go café?”

Allison laughed. She had such a pretty one. Not like anyone else’s. “I was hoping that would be your take.”

“I’ll come. Sure.”

“Wait. You? You can send someone, you know. This is not a Carmichael thing, so the obligation isn’t there. Honestly, event planning is just an interesting career that we’ve never featured before.”