always had a sixth sense about what was going on with Megan. Megan lifted an eyebrow and Angela lifted one right back.
Carly was oblivious to the sisterly signals. âDid he seem too thin? I worry, you know? That heâs not eating rightâ¦â
âUh. No. He looked okay. Fine. Really.â
âWhat did he say about me?â
Good googly moogly. Megan honestly couldnât recall his mentioning Carlyâs name once. âNothing. Really.â Carlyâs face fell. And Megan heard herself adding, âHe sends his regards, of course.â Liar, liar, pants on fireâ¦
âHis regards⦠â Carly mulled that over for a moment, her full lower lip quivering just a little.
âYes,â Megan said, so cheerfully it set her own teeth on edge.
Carly pasted on a smile. âWell. Thatâs something. I guessâ¦.â She popped off the stool as if sheâd beenejected from it. âAnd you know what?â She tugged on the hem of her crisp white shirt. âI really do have to get going. I only meant to stay for just a moment. My, how the time does fly.â She was halfway across the kitchen already.
âBye, Carly,â said Angela, with another sharp look at Megan. âThanks again for the amazing cake. We will totally enjoy it.â
âMy pleasure.â Carlyâs voice was tight. She ducked out through the dining room.
Megan trailed her to the door, where Carly paused, swallowed back the tears that were shining in her eyes, and asked, âYour next meeting with Greg and his dad and the executives, when is that?â
âMonday.â
âWell, youâd better call me afterward this time. Promise?â
âI will.â
She reached up to smooth her perfect hair. âI want to hear all about it, now. I mean it.â
Since the meeting next Monday was going to be business and nothing but, Megan told herself, she had zero to worry about. âYou bet.â
Carlyâs forced smile widened. âGood luck.â
Megan thanked her again, and at last she left.
Back in the kitchen, big sister was waiting. âOkay.â Angela pushed her plate to the side and picked up her coffee cup. âWhat the heck is going on?â
Megan picked up her own cup and leaned against the counter. âAbsolutely nothing.â
Angela gave a tiny snort. âLiar.â
Megan scowled at her sister. Leave it to Angela to cut right to the chase. âReally. Itâs nothing.â Because Iâm not letting it become something.
Angela wasnât buying. âSomething happened. With Greg Banningâ¦â Megan wincedâand her sister had one of those lightbulb moments. âOh. My. Gosh.â She sent a glance over her shoulder, as if checking to see if Rhonda Johnson or Irene Dare or some other neighborhood busybody might be lurking there. And then she whispered, âYou and Gregâ¦?â
Megan plunked her cup down and crossed her arms over her midsection. âNo. Thatâs not so. Iâm telling you, nothing happened.â
Angela patted the stool that Carly had vacated. âSit. Now.â
With a put-upon sigh, Megan took the stool. âWhat?â
âExactly what happened while nothing was happening?â
âI gave the presentation. I was terrific.â
âOf course you were.â
âHe said he wanted to hear moreâ¦.â
âYeah, and?â
âHe asked me to lunchâand donât get that look. Nothing was said, you know? He didnâtâ¦make any moves or ask me out or anything.â
âWell, he asked you to lunch. â
âAngela. Come on. Sometimes Dr. Zefflinger takes you to lunch. Does that mean heâs putting a move on you?â
âDr. Zefflinger is happily married, not to mention almost sixty.â
Megan blew out a breath. âNot my point.â
âOh, really?â
âAnge. Business colleagues go to lunch all the time. Itâs
Elmore - Carl Webster 03 Leonard