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“Imagine stepping out onto the dance floor with Brent about here,” Megan said, moving them into an open space, “looking into his eyes as the sun sets on the party.” Allison turned and her gaze found Megan’s, her lips parted slightly. Was there something she wanted to say? Allison seemed struck, and for a moment the edges of the world blurred as the two of them stood on that empty dance floor looking at each other.

Lisa’s voice startled her, bringing the world back to full volume. “Cake setups are generally over here, but like with everything, there’s flexibility. The fountain in the atrium is always a conversation piece, so it’s a lovely place to display photos or a guest book.”

“I imagine that’s a beautiful grouping,” Ally said, but her voice was different than just a few minutes ago. Quieter. She looked back at Megan again, but then tore her gaze away. Sigh. Perhaps they needed to address whatever this was ricocheting between them. That’s how Megan would handle any other snag she came upon with a client. Only this one wasn’t business related, and the thought of vocalizing…her feelings left Megan terrified. And since when did anything terrify Megan Kinkaid, dammit? She’d built her business from the ground up by grinding away and doing the hard work. Surely, she could look Ally in the eye and be honest, sort this out.

“So, what did you think?” she asked after they’d said good-bye to Lisa. They stood in the opulent atrium in front of the fountain, the soft sounds of flowing water underscoring their conversation.

Allison exhaled and tilted her head from side to side, and Megan watched as she struggled with her thoughts. “I was amazed by how beautiful the room is, but I’m not sure I can see myself there, you know?”

“It’s not your glove.”

“Translate?” Ally frowned. “My glove?”

“Everything about your wedding should fit like a glove, a fuzzy one in your case, match your tastes and aesthetics and feel innately like you, or like you and Brent as a couple. This wasn’t it. No big deal. There are dozens and dozens more.”

“I’ve never tried to characterize our couplehood.” Allison smiled thoughtfully. “Maybe I need to try, so we can capture this whole event better.”

“Want to take a walk around the water and hash some of it out?” Megan also saw this as an opportunity to maybe put more cards on the table and find a way to reset them.

Allison nodded. “Pretty day. Let’s do it.”

Their pace was slow. It was chilly out but not cold enough to require jackets, which was nice for what was becoming winter. “Tell me about you and Brent.”

“Okay.” Allison nodded. “We have a lot of fun together, teasing and laughing a lot. That’s a big part of us.”

“Adorable,” Megan said. “I think you have to laugh. It helps you through the harder times.”

“I completely agree. We’re also incredibly practical. As I’ve explained, we’re not afraid of doing what works for us, which sometimes makes other people raise an eyebrow.”

Megan frowned. “In what way?”

“Well, we haven’t moved in together. We stay at each other’s places a handful of times a week, but it’s not like I count the moments until I see him again. I have my life, and he has his, and the overlap is a fantastic cherry on top.”

“Right. I remember you mentioning that independence.” She didn’t identify with the setup but could appreciate it working for someone else.

“I’ve never been a starry-eyed girl when it comes to love. I don’t require big gestures or box checking. I have my head on my shoulders, and so does Brent.”

“Huh,” Megan said. Not that Allison’s description had anything wrong with it, but it wasn’t often that she heard brides-to-be speak so matter-of-factly about their significant other. At the same time, going into a marriage and understanding how your relationship best operated would go a long way to keeping them happy, together. “You seem to have it figured out. Impressive.”

Allison stared out at the water. “I’m not sure I would go that far. We’re not perfect.”

“You sound pretty ideal for one another.” In a lot of ways, this was helpful for Megan to hear. Allison was happy where she was. Everything was as it should be.

“In so many ways, yes. Here’s a confession for you, and I have no idea why I’m telling you this except I feel like you’re my friend.”

Megan reached out and squeezed her hand. “I am.”

She stared out at the water. “I wonder if Brent chose me because then he will always be the one to shine.”

Megan frowned. “What are you talking about? Not following.”

“Well, think about it. Withmenext to him, he gets to be the shiny penny. Brent can have any woman he wants, and he chose me. Ordinary me. I’m not glamorous or exciting or rich or overly ambitious. By comparison, let’s admit, he sparkles.”

“No. Stop right there.” Megan paused their walk to emphasize her point. Anger flared. “Uh-uh. You’re in no one’s shadow, and you certainly don’t pale next to him. Take it from someone who can see the situation clearly. That’s not the case.”

“It’s okay. It’s a role I know well. My sister was always the dazzling one, too.”

“It’s not okay because it’s not true.” Megan turned to Ally fully and looked her straight in the eye. “I have news for you. You light up every room you walk into.” Ally opened her mouth to protest, but Megan held up a finger. “No. You listen to me because I never lie. In a sea of people, you stand out as not only beautiful butspecial, and I can’t stand another minute of you not understanding that. You’re the shiny penny, Ally. Any person who spends five minutes with you can see that.” She heard the passion in her voice and took a breath and a literal step back.