Complications by Cat Grant Page B

the kitchen table, promptly zoning out. She wasn’t even aware Holly was talking to her until her roommate snapped her fingers in front of her face. “You in there somewhere, or shall I have you declared legally brain-dead?”
    “Sorry.” She smiled sheepishly. “It’s been a weird day.”
    “Aren’t they all?” Holly shoved a section of newspaper and a pen in her direction. “If you still want to go apartment hunting tomorrow, you’d better start circling some likely choices.”
    The words swam on the page, blurring together. She couldn’t focus anymore, couldn’t think. She was so fucking tired of all this—of living in a cramped, shitty apartment, eating crappy food, struggling in jobs far below her ability level. If she wasn’t so exhausted, she would’ve burst into tears.
    She deserved better, and Eric was offering it to her. Was it so wrong that she wanted to accept? No, they weren’t madly in love, but they had affection and respect—and great sex. Maybe, in time, love would develop too.
    It wasn’t ideal, but it could still work. She wanted it to work. She liked the idea of coming home to Eric every night, having a quiet dinner with him, falling asleep beside him after another bout of wild, abandoned fucking. It could be a good life, a comfortable life—and if Eric became senator, an incredibly exciting life as well.
    “Earth to Ally,” Holly chirped, dinging her fork against her glass. “I don’t know what planet you were on, but next time, buy me a ticket too.”
    Ally chuckled and pushed the newspaper aside. “I don’t think we’ll be needing this.”
    Holly’s eyes went wide. “You mean you’ve made up your mind?”
    “There’s a couple of issues Eric and I still need to iron out, but…yeah, I think so.”
    “Holy shit. Are you sure?”
    “Why does everyone keep asking me that?”
    “Hey, this is a pretty big step. I didn’t think you’d go through with it. But then, I didn’t think you’d actually sleep with Eric either.” Holly’s Diet Coke froze halfway to her mouth. “Oh, geez—you’re not going to make me wear some fugly bridesmaid’s dress, are you?”
    Ally just laughed and threw the classifieds at her.

Chapter Six
    Another long day at the office had left Eric drained, a slow throb starting over his right eye. He’d only been home a few minutes when his doorbell rang. He threw on his robe and went to answer it, his breath freezing in his lungs when he saw Ally standing there.
    “Hey,” she said, flashing a smile that quickly faded as her gaze flicked over him. “Did I get you at a bad time?”
    So she’d decided already. Was that a good sign, or not? The wary look on her face didn’t give him much of a clue. He tried to swallow around the lump in his parched throat and stepped back to let her in. “No, it’s fine, I just thought you’d call first.”
    “I lost count of all the times I picked up the phone today, but…” She gave a little half shrug. “This is something we should discuss in person anyway.”
    Not a flat-out no, although that didn’t ease his nervousness. “Make yourself comfortable on the couch, and I’ll go get us some coffee.”
    “I’d rather sit in the kitchen, if you don’t mind.”
    She had one hand on her shoulder bag, gripping it so tightly her knuckles had turned white. His own uneasiness ratcheted up a couple of notches. “Wherever you like.”
    Neither of them said another word until the coffee was done brewing and Eric had set a plate of sliced apples and Anjou pears on the table. Ally reached for a pear slice and took a tiny bite. “I, um, came over tonight to tell you I’ve decided to accept your proposal, provided we can come to an agreement on a couple other issues.”
    He grasped his coffee mug, grateful for the heat seeping into his icy fingers. “What other issues?”
    “I know there are certain things you want out of this marriage. I know you wouldn’t have asked me in the first place if you didn’t