If you’re alright with that.”

McKenna smiled. “That’d be great. He’d love seeing you.” She hesitated. “But it is confusing for him. You look, you know, like his—” she broke off, smiled, even as tears glittered in her eyes. “So how is everyone? How’s your dad?”

“Dad’s not doing well. He’s fading fast. I think it’d be a miracle if he makes it another two weeks.”

“I’m sorry.” She hesitated. “Do you think he’d want… to see… TJ?”

“I’m sure he would. Maybe we can bring TJ by this weekend while I’m still home?”

She nodded and drew a deep breath. “I don’t know if you’ve heard. I’m engaged, to Larry… Lawrence… Joplin.”

“Dillon told me.”

McKenna glanced at Taylor, who was still hanging back, and then at Troy. “I have to do what’s right for me and TJ.”

“I understand.”

“TJ needs stability and security. I need stability and security.”

“We all understand. We do. And we support you. We love you.”

McKenna’s eyes narrowed and she looked away, focusing very hard on a distant point across the bar. “I haven’t told Trey. I’m not going to.”

“Okay.”

McKenna glanced at Taylor again, and struggled to smile. “I understand you’re taking Taylor to the ball.”

Troy saw Taylor’s eyes widen behind her big glasses. She looked positively mortified. “Yes,” he said, checking his smile. “Taylor has most graciously agreed to accompany me to the ball.”

“That was very nice of her,” McKenna said, lips curving. “And that’s because she’s a nice girl, Troy, not like your big city floozies. So please, Troy, be on your best behavior Friday night.” She winked and walked out.

McKenna exited Grey’s front door so fast, Taylor didn’t have a chance to follow. But then, after McKenna’s teasing final remarks, Taylor had no desire to follow.

“That was so unbelievably awkward,” she murmured, her face hot, certain her cheeks were red.

Troy grinned down at her. “The family history, or the comment about my floozies?”

Heat washed through her all over again. “I don’t care about the family history, or if you date floozies. In fact, good for you if you do.”

She started for the door but Troy, reached out, grabbed the hood on her winter coat and kept her from escaping.

“Where are you going so fast?” he asked.

“Home.” She tugged on her coat, trying to free herself. “And I’ve just hurt McKenna’s feelings so let go, before I hurt yours.”

He let her go.