Heart of the Woods by Tuesday Embers

Author:Tuesday Embers [Embers, Tuesday]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tuesday Embers

14

Allie’s Fabulous Life

“Rylan James, what are you doing in my sister’s apartment?”

Allie looked exactly the same and sounded just as shrill. Adding eight years to her had shortened her black hair to a pixie cut and filled out her hips and thighs a bit, but it was still her, in the flesh. Her lips were still painted blood red and her makeup was thick, same as in college. The biggest difference was that she wore an overlarge engagement ring on her left hand, which let the wind out of Rylan’s nerves just a little. If she was getting married to someone, then he reasoned she couldn’t care all that much about what he did with his time.

Before he could answer Allie, Sophie chimed in with her pitch an octave higher than usual. “I randomly ran into him last week. He was going to be in the neighborhood today, so he offered to help me get the dresser out of the bedroom. Isn’t that sweet? I mean, isn’t it just the nicest thing? The dresser is so bulky. I gotta tell you, I’ve been trying to get that thing out for weeks, and it barely budged.”

Allie’s stare turned icy as she studied her sister’s quirks that only grew more erratic the more uncomfortable she became. Sophie was now bobbing on the balls of her feet and chewing on her thumbnail. “Is that so? Why, I would’ve helped you with the dresser, Sophie. You should’ve called your dearest big sister. I would’ve rushed on over.”

At this, Sophie’s nervously twisting fingers stilled. “I did tell you. At least three times I asked you to come over and help me with it.”

Allie lifted up her hands. “And would you look at that? Here I am, come to help you.”

Sophie opened her mouth to argue but closed it again when Allie turned her attention back to Rylan. “So, how’ve you been?”

Rylan knew better than to answer. He remembered that a question about him was usually an opportunity for her to answer it about herself.

Allie held out her left hand. “I’m engaged to a doctor. That’s right, a podiatrist. Doctor Gordon Jenkins. I was just in the city getting my nails done so I could try on wedding dresses tomorrow. So, are you seeing anyone?”

Again, Rylan knew not to answer, though Sophie mumbled under her breath, “I thought you said you came into the city to help me move the dresser.”

Allie took the reins and kept running with her monologue. “We’re getting married at the huge church downtown. Isn’t that romantic? Perfect place to celebrate the perfect man. He’s been great, letting me plan the day the way I want instead of arguing over every little thing. Meant to be, I guess.”

Rylan opened his mouth, but it had been too many years for him to remember that she wasn’t done until she cocked her hip to the side and stayed quiet for a good three seconds.

“We live in Greenview. Huge house with plenty of windows. I’m not sure if you live around here, but that’s the more upscale part of town.

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