Page 65 of Hairpin Curves

“You want to dance again?” Scarlett asked.

Megan shook her head. She kind of did want to, but being so close to Scarlett was making her want things that she shouldn’t want. And instead of saying she didn’t want to dance at all, she said, “Not right now,” and cursed herself for that weakness. “You go, though. I’ll sit here.”

Scarlett looked between the dance floor and Megan, visibly deciding. An upbeat pop song came over the speakers, then, and Scarlett made up her mind and got to her feet. “Come join me if you change your mind,” she said, and joined the crowd on the dance floor.

Megan was content to watch. Scarlett wasn’t dancing with anyone in particular, gyrating and jumping around with an abandon that Megan couldn’t ever match. She was vivacious and untamed and beautiful, and she looked smoking hot in that suit that Megan wanted to run her hands all over. Damn, she should do something about these hormones. Because that’s what it was, right? Hormones.

It took Megan a moment to realize Juliet had slid into the empty seat next to her. “Hey,” Juliet said.

“Hi!” Megan gave Juliet another hug, reaching awkwardly across the empty space. “How are you doing?”

“I’m good. Just taking a break from all the mingling and the dancing.” She squeezed Megan’s hand. “I wanted to say again how good it is to see you two.”

“Thanks. I’m glad we could come.”

Juliet looked fantastic, still, even after dancing for the last few songs. She was glowing. “How was the road trip? Looks like you and Scarlett got pretty close, right?” Her eyes sparkled, and she nudged Megan. “You could’ve told me.”

“What do you mean?”

Juliet looked between Megan and Scarlett, who was out on the dance floor. “You’re together now, right? I saw you dancing.”

Megan’s face must be crimson. “Oh. Um...no, not...not really.” To be anywhere but here right now.

Juliet covered her mouth. “I’m sorry. I thought... I shouldn’t have assumed. I got so excited, I got carried away.”

“It’s all right. We’ve been getting that a lot, lately.” Megan swallowed and tried to look nonchalant about it. “Your wedding is beautiful. And the food was fantastic. I can’t believe you put this together in such a short time frame. I was expecting something small.”

“It blew me away, too, to be honest. Gabe’s father has worked with so many organizations, he was able to call in a lot of favors all at once. And now, look at us.” She sighed happily before looking over at Megan, something in Megan’s expression making her shift from happiness to concern. “Are you doing all right, Megan? I know we never talk anymore, but I want that to change. I think of you and Scarlett all the time. I’ve been terrible about keeping in touch.” Juliet took both of Megan’s hands in hers.

“I’ve been the same. I’m good, Juliet. I really am. I’m doing fine.” It was hard to shrink away or deflect with Juliet’s open honesty looking her right in the eye. “I’m figuring out what’s next for me.”

Juliet nodded empathetically. “Transitions are hard. Sometimes, getting your routine shaken up is just what you need to see everything more clearly.”

Megan squeezed Juliet’s hand. “That’s a comforting thought. I’ve had enough of a shakeup.”

Juliet looked at something past Megan’s shoulder, then gave her hand a return squeeze. “Gabe’s calling me over, and I’ve gotta run. Don’t be a stranger, all right? Keep in touch. We’d love to have you come out this summer and stay with us, if you’d like. You and Scarlett both.”

“That would be nice. Thank you.” Megan could picture them visiting the city again in the summer, walking through the streets, eating at outdoor cafes. In all those mental images, she walked alongside Scarlett. The image was hard to swallow down. She said her goodbyes to Juliet, wrapping her up in another hug, and then let her go.

Scarlett was still out there dancing. She caught Megan’s eye and beckoned, but Megan shook her head and gestured to the door. Scarlett frowned and tipped her head to the side, but Megan turned away and left.

She’d only gotten a few steps into their shared hotel room when the door opened behind her, and Scarlett came in with her brow furrowed. “Are you okay?”

“I’m tired,” Megan lied, lighting her orange candle on the windowsill. “I’m all wedding-ed out.”

Scarlett was still frowning when Megan made eye contact again, her expression indicating she did not believe a word of what Megan was saying. “What?” Megan sounded more defensive than she intended, but she struggled to rein it in. “Not everybody wants to party the night away like you do.”

“It’s barely nine. Things are still going strong up there.” Scarlett folded her arms. “Is it me? Do you just want a break from me?”

“It’s not always about you, Scarlett.” Megan tossed the matches down onto the table. She slipped off her shoes, the Berber carpet rough against her bare feet, and stared out the window so she didn’t have to look at Scarlett.

The silence stretched out behind her, and as Megan knew she would, Scarlett finally spoke. “I kinda feel like it’s about me this time.”

Megan spun, anger rising suddenly inside her like a hot wave. “Maybe it is a little bit about you, yeah. Everybody thinks I’m your girlfriend.”

Scarlett smiled, just a hint of one that she tried to suppress, but the little up-tilt of her lips was enough to make Megan even angrier. “It’s because we match,” Scarlett said, but Megan shook her head.

“It’s not just that. It’s because of how you look at me, and the way you touch me, and dance with me...you treat me like you want to be with me, and other people can see that.” Megan’s heart was thundering in her head by this point.