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“Admirable.”

“Yeah,” Allison said. “And he manages it all with a positive attitude.”

“Do you?”

“Actually, yes. I’ve always had an independent streak, so having time on my own is an ideal scenario. We work together in that sense. Our relationship is…What’s the word? Unique, and we both like that about it. It serves us well.”

So they spent time apart, Megan realized. It was practical, but also a little unfortunate. “I think that’s very mature of both of you. Figuring out what works is how you make it last. Too many divorces out there.” She winced. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Why not? It’s true.” She touched her chest, and Megan’s gaze followed. Her own damn pajama top had a lower neckline than she’d remembered, and she immediately paid for it, swallowing. Allison wasn’t done. “I’m not someone that you have to sugarcoat things around, okay? You give it to me straight. Promise? That’s the kind of friendship I want us to have.”

“I promise to never sugarcoat.”

“Then tell me why you went weird on me just now.”

Megan turned back and met her gaze. “Nope. That I won’t do. But I won’t lie either because that would be a form of sugarcoating.” She picked up her plate and moved to the sink on the other side ofthe island, putting some much needed space between them, though she could feel Allison’s stare on her as she moved.

“Megan.”

The quiet use of her name caused her to go still and a bolt of something powerful shot through her body, followed by a shiver.

“Yeah?” she said, all confidence shot.

A long pause. “Yeah. No. Nothing.” Allison picked up her plate and joined Megan at the sink, the side of their forearms touching briefly. Allison turned and looked up at her. In bare feet, Megan had about two inches. For a long moment they just stared at each other, and Megan was powerless to look away. Allison spoke, breaking the spell. “Thank you for breakfast and the bed.”

Megan nodded. “Of course. You’re always welcome.”

“I’m just gonna…” Allison gestured in the direction of the bedroom and was off. When she emerged, she had showered and changed, carrying her bag on her shoulder.

“All set?” Megan asked, putting the last dish in the dishwasher.

“I promise to leave a favorable Yelp review.”

“We appreciate you.” She walked Allison to the door and opened it. Allison reached for her automatically, pulling her into her arms.

“You’re a good person,” she said. Megan savored the moment, trying not to think too much about the fact that she was holding Allison in her arms, but failed in that endeavor. It was all her brain latched on to.

“Be good out there,” she said as she released her.

“Always. Talk to you soon.” Allison offered her one last warm smile and disappeared down the hall. Megan closed the door but didn’t move from where she stood, still absorbing the last day of her life and her very surprising, but no longer deniable, attraction to Allison Hale.

“Well, damn,” she whispered and placed her forehead against the cool surface of the door. She lifted it up and dropped again with a thud. This was going to be a problem.

Chapter Five

So, tell me all about it,” Brent said excitedly and ran his hands up and down her shins. She had her legs propped up, sitting sideways on his couch. “You went out with some new friends, got a little drunk, and crashed at our wedding planner’s place. This is one for the books. Entirely epic.” He grinned like a kid because this was not the kind of thing Allison did. Ever.

“You’re enjoying this way too much.” She exhaled. “It certainly wasn’t my proudest moment, but do you know when you’re so focused on making a good impression and listening to what others are saying to you that you sip or snack absentmindedly?”

“I’ve heard of the practice.”

“I forget. You’re perfect.”

“Far from it. I just don’t really get nervous much these days.”

Ally quirked her head and squinted. “What’s it like on your planet?”

“I get it. I get it.” He refocused. “So you were sipping and talking.”