Page 30

Megan opened the door quicker than she’d expected, wearing jeans with a rip in the thigh, no shoes, and a slouchy red sweater that left one of her shoulders bare. Dammit. She looked more beautifulthan Allison had even remembered. And if she was being truly honest, Megan didn’t just look beautiful, she looked hot. Ally’s mouth went dry. This just got so much harder.

“Ally. Hi,” Megan said, lighting up. “I just assumed it was a package. The front desk mentioned that I had one.”

“Sorry,” she said, sliding her hands into the back pocket of her pants. “Not a package. Just me.”

“You’re even better. Come in.” She stepped back and held the door open, still beaming.

“No. Don’t be happy to see me. Please. I have to talk now.”

“Why would I not be happy to see you?” Megan asked. Her dark hair was pulled halfway up and had come a little loose. Casual. Wonderful.

“Because what I’m about to say is not at all good. And you might hate me.”

Megan frowned and leaned against her kitchen counter. Normally, Allison would have done something basic like slide onto a nearby barstool so they could chat, but today it seemed smarter to keep her distance, so she lingered close to the door.

“Tell me what’s going on.”

“I’ve decided it’s best that I go with another wedding planner.”

Silence. Megan stared at her for a moment, her dark eyes holding surprise, or was that hurt? Her gaze dropped to the floor before she raised it to Allison once again in question. “Is it something I said or did? I thought we’d left things in a good place.”

“Yeah. Too good a place,” Allison said automatically. She shifted her weight, hoping to explain better. “I think we’ve gotten tooclose, don’t you?”

“We don’t spend that much time together. A couple of extracurriculars. That’s all. We can pull those back if it helps.” She took a step forward. “Have I done something as your planner that you’re not happy with? Has my staff?”

“No. Nothing like that. You’ve been perfect every step of the way. You’re fantastic at your job.”

“Then this is strictly about you and me.”

Allison nodded.

Megan took a moment to absorb. “I’m going to say something really honest here and risk messing things up even more, but I don’tlike this. I don’t want to say good-bye to you, and that’s got nothing to do with our working relationship.”

Megan’s professional polish was nowhere in sight. Standing in front of her was a version of Megan that was one hundred percent the woman alone, and that made Allison’s heart ache. She loved this version of Megan, wanted to spend time with her, laugh, and talk. Even right now. She wanted to pull her in and just—no. “I’m getting married, Megan. Soon. I can’t. We can’t.”

Megan held up her hands. “I know that. I’m not trying to undo any of your plans. I would never do that. But I need to be honest.” She took a moment as if to compose her thoughts. “The idea of you drifting away and then spotting you at parties across the room, a stranger, sounds like the worst kind of punishment.”

“I know,” Allison said. Tears sprang into her eyes, and she didn’t attempt to hide them. “But what else can I do here?” she whispered.

Megan closed her eyes. It was clear she was hurting, too. “I think you’re doing the right thing. I mean, I get it. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.” She placed a hand over her heart in the exact same place Allison felt hers aching.

“Thank you.” Ally wiped a stray tear from her cheek. “For the guidance, and the friendship, and so much more.”

“Anytime,” Megan said and walked to her. “Come here.” She opened her arms and Allison moved into them wordlessly, treasuring the feeling of being held by Megan one last time, memorizing each sensation. The cinnamon and vanilla scent, the soft skin pressed against her own, the warmth, the tension, all of it. Megan released her and took Allison’s face in her hands. “You’re going to have a wonderful life, Ally. Full of happiness, and laughter, and love. You hear me?”

She nodded, trying desperately to believe the words. “You are, too,” she managed.

Megan nodded. “Me, too.” She stepped back, and Allison immediately felt the loss of her touch, hating the knowledge that she’d never feel it again, and before she knew it, her feet were moving, carrying her right back there. She went up on her toes, took Megan’s face in her hands, and leaned in, capturing her mouth. When their lips came together, every part of her went numb before bursting to life. In that moment, Allison knew she would never be the same again. Every nerve ending screamed with overwhelming sensation as if having beenlocked away until this very moment. Megan’s mouth moved in perfect tandem with hers, and Allison couldn’t get enough. This wasn’t just kissing. It fell into another category entirely. And the more they kissed, the more she wanted to kiss, and God, was Megan good at it. She had her arms wrapped around Ally, her hands at the small of her back, holding her close. Her tongue slipped inside Allison’s mouth, and the world faded away. Without even realizing it, she pressed Megan more firmly against the counter, molding her body more tightly to Megan’s, amazed at all the things her body felt. She was lost in a haze of wonder and lust and abject pleasure.

“I’m sorry,” Megan said, wrenching her mouth away. Breathing. Both of them. She pressed her forehead to Allison’s. “I’m so sorry.”

Allison took a moment to catch her own breath and regain her thoughts. “What are you sorry for? I’m the one who did it. Me.”

“No. Not that.” Megan raised her gaze. “I’m sorry for disrupting your life, for making this so difficult.”

“You had no way of knowing. Neither of us did.” She ran her thumb across Megan’s bottom lip reverently. “Maybe I shouldn’t have done that. God, now I know what it’s like to kiss you. I can’t unknow. How can I possibly unknow?”

“Yes, you can,” Megan said, walking her to the door and nodding her encouragement. “And you will.”