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Megan laughed. “Without delay.”

“And as an extra-special gift, twenty-five dollars to the Nutcase, which is actually a really nice shop. I recommend the Dash Bar if you’re into oatmeal. Fresh. Just pop it in the oven, or if you buy it in the shop, they’ll do it for you.”

“Huh. That’s an interesting concept.”

“Trust me. Not your average bar. You’ve never tried anything like it.”

Megan eyed her. “You’re a little salesperson.”

“On a sugar high, which makes me doubly persuasive. Plus, my parents raised me to be loyal.”

Megan snatched up the certificate. “Then I have no choice but to see for myself.”

Allison sat back with a gleam in her eye, and Megan grinned. “This has been fun. I mean it. It was a great way to break up my work week, and I feel like I’m breathing a little easier. Enjoying life. So thank you for having me.”

“Anytime,” Allison said, and Megan hoped she meant it.

Chapter Four

It was uncharacteristically cold out, and that made Allison suspect wearing a dress to Megan’s cocktail gathering wasn’t the most practical of ideas. But then again, sophisticated women wore dresses to these kinds of get-togethers regardless, didn’t they? And heels? The fancy cocktail drinking types anyway, of which she definitely was not one. What about boots with a small heel on them? Would that count as dressy enough? Could she blend?

“What’s going on in here?” Brent asked, leaning against the doorjamb with a lazy grin.

“I’m failing at being a woman about town. I’m afraid I’m not cut out.”

“That’s what I like best about you.”

She frowned. “Not helping.”

He held up a hand. “First of all, I was kidding. Second, you don’t have to go at all, you know. We can stay in. I got a couple bottles of expensive wine from one of our vendors. We can watch UFC.”

“Do those two things go together?” she asked with a squint, not relishing the idea of a bloody beatdown.

“If we say they do.”

Allison sighed. Itwastempting to skip out and avoid feeling like a fish out of water, but something she couldn’t quite pinpoint was tugging her along, urging her to go. The Evite Megan had forwarded had included Kelsey from Soiree as one of the confirmed attendees. They’d met back at the office, so not everyone would be a stranger. She turned to Brent and took his hands. “No, I think I want to go. Push through my insecurities. It’ll be good for me, right?”

He kissed her temple. “I’m sure you’ll have fun once you’re there. If not, you know where to find me and the fighters.” He grabbed his keys and headed back to his place where he’d be more comfortable. She’d send him a text once she made it home, and they’d see each other the next day. Brent was…easy. Their life was, making it one less thing she had to worry about. She exhaled slowly. Low heeled boots it was. She chose a maroon sweater, her slim-fitting black pants, and a pendant necklace for a final top off and was out the door.

Shakers was a pretty cool bar. Not that she had a ton of downtown bar experience, but this one fell under the heading of swanky. The barstools were softly upholstered, and the colors light and airy. Definitely trying to appeal to women. Megan told her she’d find their group at a series of high-top tables at the back. Apparently, she’d reserved the entire section for their gathering. Allison took a deep breath as she approached the group of about fifteen or so. The women were talking animatedly, each holding a cocktail in a variety of glass shapes. As she approached, she was surprised, no,relievedto see that the women weren’t all glamour goddesses, as she’d been imagining. Some looked just like her friends and neighbors, of all ages, sizes, and ethnicities. Her boots had been the right choice!

“Oh, wow. You came,” Megan said, setting down her orange-colored martini and crossing the short distance to Allison. She gave her a quick hug and kiss on the cheek, smelling sweet like vanilla and cinnamon.

“Didn’t want to miss the fun.”

“And you haven’t. White wine?” Allison nodded, and Megan disappeared, clearly in control and looking fabulous at the same time. She wore jeans, a black turtleneck, and a pair of booties that really accentuated her legs, which were…perfect. She was pulled from her thoughts by Kelsey, whohadworn the dress and heels in spite of the cold.

“Allison, right? Awesome you made it. Is someone getting you a drink?” She searched the room for an answer.

“Megan is, yeah. It’s good to see you. You look amazing.”

Kelsey shrugged it off. “I’m single, so I have to turn up the volume a little bit. Find my own Carmichael.”

“Well, Brent has a brother,” Allison said with a laugh.

Kelsey narrowed her gaze. “What about a sister?”

Aha. Not straight. For some reason, that made her stomach tighten. “Afraid not.”