The metal door swung open. Allison’s brown eyes widened and then she let out a squeal.
“Grace! Oh, my gosh, I’m so glad you’re here.” She tugged her inside before Grace could utter a single word.
She held out the dish. “I was just returning this to you. The cake was wonderful. You really shouldn’t have gone to all that trouble.”
Allison’s face fell. “It was dry wasn’t it? I knew I didn’t add enough oil.”
“No, no. The cake was delicious. I had a piece with every meal. Even breakfast.”
“Really?”
“Yes, it was wonderful.”
Allison smiled. “I’m glad you liked it. Come on into the kitchen. I was just finishing getting the salad ready.”
Grace held up her hands and took a step back. “I don’t want to interrupt you.”
“Do you have plans tonight?” Allison hooked her arm in Grace’s and led her further into the apartment.
“Well . . .”
“Allison, who’s your friend?” A beautiful red-haired woman came around the corner with a wine glass in her hand. She was tall and lean with legs for days. With auburn hair and jade eyes, the woman looked like she’d stepped off a European runway.
“This is Grace Witherspoon.” Allison patted her on the arm. “Grace, this is my best friend, Tabitha Miller.”
“Nice to meet you, Grace.” Tabitha held out her free hand. “Glad to see that Allison didn’t do any damage when she ran you over.”
Allison gasped.
Grace arched her brow. “I guess I’m pretty hard to kill.”
Tabitha barked out a laugh.
“Are you sure you’re okay? Sloan said you looked fine to him, but men aren’t really observant.” Allison set the cake plate on the concrete countertop in the kitchen. Despite the industrial look of the loft, bursts of color softened the large space. The kitchen opened up to the living and dining room. The grey sofa was piled with pillows in colors of white and pink, while a tufted square ottoman in a paisley blue doubled as a coffee table. The dining room table was long and made of distressed wood with contemporary white chairs tucked underneath. A laptop sat at the end of the table and Grace assumed the area functioned as an office as well.
“Sloan was right. I’m perfectly okay.”
“Why don’t you stay for dinner? We’ve got more than enough.” Tabitha pulled down another wine glass and filled it before handing it to Grace.
“I really can’t stay.” She eyed the glass of red liquid with longing.
Tabitha laughed. “If you don’t stay tonight, Allison will just pester you to death until you agree. She’s very persistent.”
Allison’s mouth dropped. “You act like I’m a stalker.”
“No, honey. Just a worrywart.” Tabitha gave a knowing look at Grace. “Stay, if for nothing else, to prove to Allison you’re fine.”
Tabitha was right. She could only dodge Allison so many times before making the woman suspicious.
What harm could having dinner do anyway?
Grace smiled. “Sure. I’d love to stay for dinner.”
***
Allison chatted as she put the finishing touches on the salad while the lasagna cooked. Grace offered to help with dinner, but Allison refused, insisting Grace make herself at home. Settling herself on a barstool, she listened to the friendly blonde.
“I love your loft.” Grace eyed the tall ceilings and wooden beams.
“Thanks. I’m still settling in, trying to make it my own.”
“I can relate to that,” Grace murmured.
“You two should go to the annual yard sale,” Tabitha offered as she set the table.
“That’s a great idea.” Allison grinned. “I totally forgot about that.”
“What’s the annual yard sale?” Grace looked between the two women.
“It’s where the surrounding small towns get together and do a yard sale along the highway. It starts in Cloverton and goes for about thirty miles.” Tabitha shrugged. “You could find some good stuff for your house.”
“I could borrow Sloan’s truck. That way we can load up a bunch of stuff.”
Grace’s stomach tumbled at the mention of Sloan.
“I’m sure Sloan wouldn’t mind.”
“I wouldn’t mind what?” Sloan’s voice drifted in from the front door.
Grace froze in her seat, afraid to turn around. Her gaze landed on the table where she saw four place settings.
Perfect.
***
Sloan shut the door behind him and held up a six pack of beer. “I guess I should have called to see if you needed anything from the liquor store.” He froze as his gaze landed on Grace sitting quietly at the bar. His stomach clenched.
“We already made a trip and got wine.” Allison lifted her glass of wine in the air.
“Come and sit down, Sloan,” Tabitha ordered as she helped Allison put the meal on the table. “You remember Grace. She’s joining us.”
He didn’t miss the way Tabitha cut her eyes at him, assessing his reaction. Damn Allison’s matchmaking schemes. He’d been set up. Again.
“Glad you could join us, Grace.”