Allison’s eyes widened in horror. “I don’t look constipated. Do I?”
Grace laughed. It felt good. She’d not felt this free in a long time. “I plan on re-upholstering both chairs in the material I bought.”
“You mean that soft beige chenille?”
“I think once I do that, they’ll be perfect for the living room.”
Allison nodded. “They would look perfect. Actually, you’ve given me an idea for a house I just got hired to redecorate. You have quite an eye for decorating.”
She shook her head. “No, not really. I just know what I want my home to feel like.”
“What’s that? Comfy?”
“No. A safe harbor.”
Allison screwed up her face and Grace’s heart stopped. She’d said too much. She’d been so absorbed in the excitement of buying furniture that she’d gotten too comfortable.
A loud growl came from Allison’s stomach.
“I’m sorry. Do you mind if we stop and grab something to eat? I’m starving.” Allison pressed her palm to her stomach and flushed bright red.
Grace relaxed. “Absolutely. You should have said something sooner.”
A few minutes later they were seated in a red booth at the Greasy Fork Café.
“The burgers are really good.” Allison didn’t even bother opening her laminated menu.
Grace nodded. With a name like Greasy Fork Café, they better be. “I’ll have that then.” She couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten a burger. When she started her training for the ballet, she’d been very conscious about every calorie. Despite her thin frame, she knew a couple of pounds could make or break your career.
She’d lost weight over the last months. The stress, along with a poor diet, didn’t make a person gain weight.
Those days were over.
Grace was halfway through with her meal when she caught Allison’s gaze focused on the door.
“What’s he doing here?” Allison crossed her arms and scowled.
“Who?” Grace followed Allison’s gaze.
Sloan.
She froze. The blood drained from her face into a nauseating puddle in her stomach.
He was dressed in a police uniform shirt and jeans with a very large gun holstered to his waist.
Sloan was a cop.
She turned back and clasped her sweating hands in her lap. Her heart galloped painfully in her chest. Did he know who she was? Was he here to arrest her?
She would probably have a heart attack before he could get the cuffs on.
“Hello, ladies.”
She jumped at the sound of his deep voice.
“Sloan, what are you doing here? Please tell me you don’t want your truck back already. We’re not done yet.”
Grace avoided his gaze and reached for her glass of tea. She said a silent prayer when she managed to hold it without it slipping out of her fingers. She took a sip, the ice-cold liquid barely sliding down her tight throat.
“I just got off and came in to grab something to eat.” He pulled off his aviator sunglasses. “How’s the shopping going?”
Her shoulders slumped forwards. He wasn’t here for her. He was just here to eat.
“Great,” Allison volunteered. “Grace is quite the haggler. She’s gotten a lot of stuff and didn’t pay the asking price once.”
“Very impressive.”
She forced her gaze up and smiled. “Not really.”
“Sit and eat with us.” Allison scooted over and Sloan slid into the booth next to her.
He grinned as he looked between the two plates. “I see you wolfed yours down already.”
Allison elbowed his side. “I can’t help it. I didn’t have breakfast.”
The platinum blonde waitress sashayed to the table with a smile on her lips. “Hi, Sloan. What can I get for you?”
“I’ll have what the ladies are having.” His gaze met Grace’s.
Her heart rate ratcheted up a notch. She reached for her tea again. Why was it so damn hot in here?
Allison shook her head. “You are so obtuse.”
“What are you talking about?” Sloan gave his sister a look.
“Cindy was totally flirting with you. You didn’t even notice.”
“Who’s Cindy?” Sloan shifted in his seat.
“The waitress.”
“Good grief, she’s still in high school.”
“That’s not stopping her.” Allison chuckled.
“You have such a wild imagination.”
Cindy returned and set his glass of sweet tea down. Grace noticed the girl lingered a second too long before tending to her other customers.
“See. I told you.” Allison crossed her arms and smirked. The trill of a cell phone echoed within her purse. She pulled it out. “Hello?”
Allison sighed. “I’ll be right there.” She hung up and motioned for Sloan to let her out of the booth.
“Everything okay?” Grace asked.
“Yeah. I’m afraid I’ve got to go. That was Tabitha. She locked herself out of her house and I’m the only one with a spare key.” Sloan stood and Allison scooted out of the booth. “I’m afraid we can’t finish shopping.”