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“That’s the most unromantic thing I’ve ever heard in my life.” They’d reached the end of their route, thank God, and had looped backto where they stood in front of Betsy and Dell’s gorgeous two-story with the perfect garden and side fence.

Betsy closed her eyes. “And that’s exactly where you’ve gone wrong. You’ve watched too many movies, Allison. Shake out your romantic notions.” She paused, one hand on her hip, the other taking her pulse with two fingers on her neck. “Think about what it would mean to Mom and Dad. To walk you down the aisle and place your hand in Brent’s. It would rekindle the partnership with the Carmichael family. Put everything back into place. They could keep the house and finally have a good night’s sleep. Don’t they deserve as much?”

Her heart sank because shecoulddo that for them. But at what cost to herself?

“Just think of how many burdens it would ease. Brent’s hurting. He looks like a shadow of himself.”

“I know,” Allison said, conceding. “Breakups are awful, but we’re working on a friendship, and maybe over time, that will be enough for you guys, as well.” In fact, she’d made plans to see Brent later that week.

Betsy nodded several times, taking in her words. “I guess I’m just disappointed in you is all. I don’t want to watch you throw your life away.”

The words were so incredibly harsh that a lump grew painfully in her throat. “Well, no, I don’t want that for myself either, which is why I’m following my heart and trying to do what’s right for everyone.”

“That’s the last thing you should follow when figuring out your life,” Betsy said, hustling up her sidewalk to the house. She turned back, but her smile looked forced. “Want to come in for a Gatorade and towel off?”

Betsy had barely broken a sweat, but Allison was a different story. “Thanks. I think I’ll just run home and grab a shower.”

“Ah. A hot date with the wedding planner. Got it.” Her voice was flat.

“Megan. You used to know her name. Hell, you used to fawn over her.”

“That’s before she ruined my family.”

“Harsh.”

“Real.”

Allison sighed. “Well, I’m not sure this has been productive, but it was at least good to see you. Been a while.”

She watched as Betsy’s posture relaxed and her expression softened. “I know I’m kicking your ass over this, but it’s because I adore the hell out of you. Plus, I’m Betsy the bitch. It’s what I do.” She walked back down the sidewalk, grabbed Allison, and pulled her into a tight hug, sweat and all. “You’re gonna be okay. No matter what happens in the end.”

It was the first time she’d heard Betsy offer any kind of support, and it sent tears to well in Allison’s eyes. “Thank you for saying so. I needed to hear it.”

Betsy released her and held her tightly by the shoulders, meeting her gaze fiercely. “Just promise me you won’t let your emotions make all the decisions. The world is a difficult place to maneuver, and that’s why God gave us brains to help.”

“Got it.” As narrow as Betsy’s focus was, that little nugget of advice was actually helpful. She did need to keep an eye on the big picture and try to resist blindly following the hearts in her eyes. Megan, as much as she wanted her to, wasn’t offering Ally much reassurance and left a giant question mark about her feelings. If she was falling desperately in love with someone who was growing bored with her, she’d like to know about it. In fact, she needed to find out now, before she got in much deeper.

“Hey, you,” Megan said, picking up on the second ring. Allison hadn’t even made it out of Betsy’s driveway before needing to hear Megan’s voice.

“Hi.” She exhaled slowly, relief trickling in. She placed her hand on the steering wheel. “I don’t have a reason for calling. I just needed t—”

“You don’t ever need a reason to call me.”

“No? Well, that makes me happy. Will I see you soon?”

“God, I hope so. I’m working late tonight. Tomorrow?”

“I’ll see you then.” A long pause. She wanted to sayI love youbut knew it would put Megan on the spot. Instead, she held the words in, close to her heart, just for herself. “Good night, Megan.”

“Night night, Ally.”

She clicked off the call and stared up at the darkening sky as thestars made their debut. “What are you trying to tell me?” she asked the universe, quiet and unhelpful in its reply. “Head or heart? Just give me a sign. An arrow. A pat on the head. Okay?” She locked her gaze on the brightest star in the sky. “I promise I’ll listen.”

* * *

Wedding Weekend lived up to its hype and more. Over the course of the weekend, Megan raced between events, picking up the slack for vendor mistakes, running cover, and making sure all of their eight couples were not only happy, but ecstatic with how their big days went. When she arrived at the Coleman reception with the two additional kegs of beer the liquor supplier had neglected to deliver, she knew she could finally exhale. This was her last stop.

Kelsey was lead on the event, which was perfect. The reception should ease into self-sustaining mode soon, with most of the formal events out of the way, leaving the guests to party the night away. Bring on the dancing and mingling, which meant she could finally catch her breath and even relax a little with her best friend, who’d seriously killed it this weekend.