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“To drink,” Megan finished. A pause. “That’s very helpful of you. I can also walk her to my place and let her crash.”

“Bam,” Allison supplied and sipped her water happily. “Let’s do that. I wonder what it’s like where you live. Gorgeous, I bet.”

“He wants to talk to you,” Megan said.

Allison took the phone. “Hi.”

“Sounds like it turned out to be a fun night after all,” Brent said. There was the chuckle she’d predicted.

“Yes. Glad I came. The women were so nice. They hand out free wine here, too.”

“I have a feeling Megan picked up the tab for the event.”

Allison widened her eyes and looked at Megan. “You’re rich, too.”

“Not really.”

“Listen,” Brent said, reining her back in. “I don’t mind driving out there to get you.”

“You have that early morning thingy. I’ll Uber. Or Megan.”

“Yeah, but if you need me…”

She stared at Megan, who was already right here and perfectly lovely. Flawless skin. Perfect lips. That amazing perfume. How did she manage that? Plus, her turtleneck showed little to no skin, but it certainly captured the curves of her breasts. “Nah. Megan’s got it.”

“I don’t mind,” Megan called to the phone. “Honestly.”

Brent sighed. “All right then. I’ll check with you in the morning and make sure you’re okay. Love you, kid.” He sure called herkida lot. Made her feel like one when he did it.

“Love you, too. Kiddo,” she tossed in. She clicked off the call and handed Megan the phone. They stared at each other for a moment.

“Looks like you’re stuck with me,” Megan said.

“Like glue on a construction paper Thanksgiving turkey.”

Megan nodded and squinted. “Don’t move. I’ll settle up, and we’ll hit the road.”

Allison snickered, because the visual was ridiculous and funny. Smackin’ that road. She watched as Megan approached the bar with her credit card in hand. Wow. When she walked, her hips swayed a little, and it made her seem soft but in charge. The combination inspired goose bumps on her arms. What must it be like to be as beautiful and confident as Megan Kinkaid, who also, to her credit, was kind. Megan would never actually smack that road.

And then she was back. “All set. How are you feeling?”

“A little less whirly.” Ally stood and blinked as the world tilted. “Oh,there’sthe full whirl. This bar is a fun house.”

“Here,” Megan said and offered her arm. Allison looped hersthrough it and followed Megan out to the street. “I live just down there. Two blocks. Not far at all.”

“Oh, that’s lovely. You can come back here tomorrow. Anytime you want.”

“It’s a perk.”

They walked beneath the streetlights of downtown Dallas, and in the midst of the two-of-everything phenomenon, she still found it entirely peaceful.

“So, did you have a good time? You seemed to be laughing a lot.”

Ally didn’t hesitate. “The best. I don’t socialize too often. Not since I’ve been with Brent. Mainly just have happy hour with my sister.”

“I wish I had one of those. You’re lucky.”

“I know.” They walked on. “Betsy is the reason I came to see you.”