Page 40

“It’s the truth. Hang in there. You’ll figure it out.”

“I will.” Allison nodded, feeling her confidence return.

She vowed to buy Lacey lunch for all her sideline coaching, swung home, and changed into what she hoped was a more fashionable yet not too dressy outfit, and arrived on Megan’s doorstep at precisely two minutes after seven.

Megan swung the door open moments later with a soft smile, music playing behind her in the apartment. God, she was a lot to take in, wearing jeans, the softest looking white sweater, shiny lip gloss, and—wouldn’t you know it—no shoes. “Hi, you.”

“I’m mellow,” Ally said.

Megan raised an eyebrow. “Are you? Good to know.” She reached out, grabbed Allison’s hand and pulled her inside. “Glass of white already poured for you.” She picked up her glass. “Join me?”

Allison didn’t need any more encouragement. The wine would relax her, after all. She followed Megan into the open kitchen and sank into the sounds of upbeat jazz. The unpredictable melody of the trumpet very much underscored her unsure footing, and in a way, that was also comforting. The music understood her plight. She sipped the wine and leaned against the counter.

Megan gestured to the speaker. “I can change it if this isn’t your speed. I love jazz, and it’s my favorite to cook to. Chills me out.” She stared at the vegetables in her oversized pan and gave them a little toss, sexy and effortless.

“No, I like it. It’s nice.”

“How was the rest of your shift?” She smiled at Allison, and that also made her relax. This was just Megan, after all.

“Pretty quiet. The shop pulls in most of its traffic in the morning and slowly winds down from there.”

“You look really pretty. I didn’t know if you’d have much time to spare after you got off. I was expecting your polo and visor.”

“Ha.” Allison looked down at her brown boots with the slight heel, skinny jeans, and navy and red striped top that, yes, came with a slight dip in the neckline. “I couldn’t show up looking like a clerk. Who wants to cook dinner for a clerk on the clock?”

“You could show up looking like anything you wanted, and I’d still be happy to see you.”

The comment hit her square in the chest and blossomed. She couldn’t have inhibited the smile that hit if she’d tried. But she was super mellow, remember? And thereby, played it cool. No big deal. Just a compliment she’d think about for hours later. “So, sweet and sour. A favorite of yours?”

Megan nodded. “Yep, believe it or not, I grew up eating a lot of Chinese food.”

“Somewhere in your heritage or just a preference?” Ally asked.

“My mom’s a second-generation American with family originally from Jamaica. Some are still there. And my father grew up in Oklahoma, so no. Absolutely no cultural connection at all to the East that I’m aware of.”

“Jamaica. Have you been?”

Megan nodded. “Lots. My father, total white guy, was in for quite a culture shock. They all get along great now.”

“And your parents are still married?”

“Yes, and bickering over the television like teenagers. He likes historical documentaries and she prefersReal Housewives.”

“And you?”

“Give me a police procedural, and I’m yours.” She went back to her pan, and Allison filed that one away.

“That easy, huh?” She kicked her hip against the counter as she watched Megan work.

“Well, no. But I can’t give away all the secrets. I’m jealous, though. Of your parents living so close. Mine are in Corpus Christi, so I don’t see them as often as I’d like. We talk a lot, though. They just figured out FaceTime and were upside down on our last call. It’s a process.”

Allison laughed. “They sound great. But as for my family, it’s a blessing and curse having us all in one spot, everyone involved in everyone else’s life. My family means well, but…”

“They have opinions.”

“Oh yes. My sister especially. So many expectations. I don’t think I could jump that high if I devoted my entire day to it.”

Megan paused and turned to her. “I say this with affection. Don’t let anyone pressure you to be someone you’re not.”