Love in Pictures

by Alexis A Goring

  ~*~

  Michelle sat in front of her TV. Her parents had gone to bed early. She thanked God for the calmer atmosphere tonight compared to this afternoon. She curled up on the couch, pointed her remote control at the TV, flipped through the channels, and stopped on WJLA. The evening newscast was starting in a few minutes, and she was finally strong enough to see Logan again. Maybe not in person but watching him anchor the evening newscast was a start. She reached for her cup of peppermint tea on the end table.

  She tightened her grasp on her mug when Logan’s face appeared on the screen, and her heart melted when she heard his voice. He made it through the first segment without stuttering. She was so happy for him.

  “Tonight, we’re featuring a story that’s close to my heart,” Logan said. “Our special news segment focuses on an issue that affects many school-age children. Tonight, we’re highlighting the journey of a brave and special boy, Charlie. He’s your average preteen boy who loves sports and interacting with his friends, but he stutters.

  “His speech impediment made him the victim of bullies, but he chose to tackle it head on. Charlie challenged his oppressors by starting a club for kids who are bullied, and the members of that club are gaining respect from their peers as they teach them empathy. They’re also gaining ground in their learning community. The teachers at Charlie’s school are actively involved in the campaign to combat this dangerous situation in schools across America, and it’s not only creating empathy. It’s raising awareness. This story is close to my heart because I too struggle with stuttering.”

  Michelle placed her cup down and leaned forward.

  “I had people who believed in me and helped me survive my struggle. The man who gave me this job connected me with Sally Bridges who helped groom me. Thanks to Sally and other supporters like my mom, who is a speech therapist, I sit here every evening, delivering what I hope are flawless newscasts to you, stutter-free.”

  She missed Logan.

  Juliana was right. Michelle and Logan needed to talk. Before she could dial, her phone rang. “Hey, Jules.”

  “Amiga, did you see Logan on TV tonight?”

  “Yes.”

  “What do you think?”

  I think I love him. “It was perfect. He’s perfect.”

  “Did you see her?”

  “Who?”

  “Sally Bridges. The lady he said helped him to prepare for his job on TV. Oh Michelle, that’s the woman I saw him with in Annapolis. She’s not his girlfriend, and they’re not dating. They were simply working together. I am so sorry for causing you to doubt Logan’s love for you.”

  Michelle’s heart rate kicked up. He hadn’t been with her? “It’s water under the bridge, Jules. It’s my fault too. I should have talked to him about her instead of assuming.”

  “Like you said, it’s water under the bridge. Now go call your man.”

  Michelle giggled. “Yes, ma’am.”

  As Michelle ended the call with Juliana, the image of Logan kissing the pretty blonde resurfaced. Her heart sank. She’d be devastated if he married someone else. They had something special together before that fiancée, and Michelle needed to know if they could work things out. She took a deep breath and dialed.

  ~*~

  Logan did burpees. Not his most favorite exercise, but it was the most effective after planks. Being a TV personality meant he had to look his best, and while he wasn’t overweight, he wanted to stay toned. He was grateful his parents allowed him to work out in their home gym.

  His cell phone rang. He reached for it without looking at the caller ID. “Hello?”

  “Hey, Logan.”

  He recognized the voice immediately, even after not hearing it for months. His hands sweated. What did it mean that she was calling him?

  “It’s Michelle.”

  “I know. Hey.”

  She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”

  Logan hoisted a heavy weight and laid it on a bench. “For what?”

  “For pushing you away.”

  “It’s okay. But I would like an explanation for why you stopped talking to me.”

  “Yes. I want to discuss that. Can we meet up?”

  “Sure. What time works for you?”

  “Maybe tomorrow for lunch?”

  “Where do you want to eat?”

  “My studio. It’ll be closed. I’ll bring take out, and we can eat it in my office.”

  “Sounds great.”

  “What would you like?”

  “You choose. You’ve got great taste.”

  Was it his imagination or did a mild laugh escape Michelle? He smiled. “I look forward to seeing you.”

  “I look forward to seeing you tomorrow too.”

  They said their goodbyes. Suddenly, he felt like doing one hundred burpees. Did their relationship have a chance? Tomorrow, he would find out. But what if Michelle didn’t want to resume their relationship? Would he settle for being a friend? He couldn’t think the worst. He picked up the weight and prayed for the best.

  Chapter 21

  London stepped out of her rental car. She smoothed her figure-fitting emerald-green dress. She adjusted her sunglasses and reached for her purse before shutting her car door. Her only regret was wearing high heels. She didn’t anticipate having to walk on cobblestone or a boardwalk which is what she had to do as she walked from the parking lot to the quaint but impressive photo studio, Love in Pictures.

  After Logan took back her engagement ring and told her to stay out of his life, her blood boiled. She thought of the last and only time that a man had broken her heart—her high school boyfriend who was her first love but broke up with her before prom, leaving her dateless and at home on a weekend. She never spent weekends alone. She was always in a relationship. That breakup threw her, but she bounced back, meeting a new boyfriend her freshman year of college and then shortly after college, she met Logan. He was everything she wanted…until now.

  Now she just wanted to get even. She may not be able to reach Logan directly anymore, but she wasn’t leaving for Paris tonight without having a word with the woman who took him from her. Moments later, she stood outside the studio.

  She tried to ignore the fact that the exterior was beautiful with a sleek, modern design. The business name, Love in Pictures, was in bold, fancy but easy-to-read lettering that was perfectly accented with a feminine touch.

  London peered through the window. The studio’s interior was warm and welcoming with pastel color furniture and light that was bright enough to fill the room and take good pictures, but soft enough to not blind the eyes. It looked even better than the picture she saw online when she’d hunted Michelle down.

  London inhaled sharply. So, what if this Michelle Hadley had a beautiful workplace, one that she owned? London was a famous model with a growing fan base. She was prettier than Michelle, too, and worthier of Logan’s heart. After steeling herself for this planned confrontation, London opened the front door and stepped inside. She perched her sunglasses on top of her head and approached the receptionist desk. “Michelle Hadley, please.”

  The receptionist looked awed and astonished. London assumed it was because of her beauty and confidence.

  “Excuse me?”

  London glared down at the petite woman behind the desk. “I need to talk with Michelle Hadley. This is her studio, is it not?”

  Before the receptionist could answer, another woman spoke in a soft, professional tone. “I am Michelle Hadley, and this is my studio. How may I help you?”

  London smiled. She turned to face the woman Logan chose over her. She held out her hand. “My name is London. Can we talk in private?”

  Michelle gave a firm handshake but a timid smile. “Sure. But may I ask what this is in regard to?”

  “My fiancé. We’d like for you to be our wedding photographer.”

  Michelle smiled. “Oh, then you need a consultation. We’re closing for lunch break in ten minutes. Can we schedule a time for next week?”

/>   London stood strong. “We need to talk now. I fly out to Paris tonight.”

  “Oh. Okay. My consultations take more than ten minutes to be effective. Let me give you my business card.”

  London couldn’t wait any longer. She decided to do this now. She retrieved her phone from her purse, unlocked it, and thrust it in Michelle’s face. “This is my fiancé. Isn’t he a good-looking man?”

  Michelle blanched. She took a step back and studied London. Her eyes widened, and London smiled smugly. She hoped Michelle was recognizing her as the woman Logan loved. So what if his love for her faded years ago? It could happen again. Logan belonged to her, not Michelle.

  “You’re, you’re…”

  The receptionist spoke up. “Miche? Is everything okay?”

  Before Michelle could respond, the door chime sounded. Michelle looked over London’s shoulder, and her eyes welled with tears. London turned around to see who walked in. She faced Logan. His eyes were cold, and he addressed her in a carefully measured voice. “London? Why are you here?”

  London stepped toward him to give him a kiss but he stepped aside. She steeled. “I thought I’d give your fake girlfriend a sayonara before I hopped on my plane to Paris, love.”

  London heard the sound of footfalls. She didn’t have to turn around to figure out Michelle was exiting the scene. Good. She needed to leave. London belonged in Logan’s arms, not Michelle. She frowned as she watched Logan look over her shoulder and call out to Michelle. “Michelle, wait! Please.”

  London heard a door shut. She smiled. This was perfect. She made eye contact with Logan. Sure, he was mad now, but once he finally took her back, he’d be happy again. She was sure of it. She ignored the fact that Logan’s fists were clenched. He looked at London intently. “Would you please step outside with me?”

  She nodded and followed Logan. The scent of fresh water and crisp, cool air greeted them. She spoke first. “I told you that you were making a mistake. Leave her and come back to me.”

  He stood still. He paused before speaking. “You’re out of your mind. I told you a few nights ago we are over and not to contact me. Why are you going after Michelle? She didn’t do anything to you.”

  London stepped forward. She reached out to touch him, but he stepped to the side. Realizing that she was now reaching for air, she withdrew her hand and used it to clench her purse. “I’m here to win you back. She doesn’t deserve you.”

  He folded his arms. “So, I assume you think that you do?”

  “Of course. We were perfect together. We were going to get married, start a family, maybe even move to Paris, remember?”

  Logan let out a low breath. “That was then, but this is now. Back then I didn’t know you was well as I thought, but during these last two weeks, I see the real you clearly, and I don’t like it.”

  London was appalled. “The real me?”

  “Yes. I’m going to tell you one last time. I have no interest in pursuing a relationship with you. Please leave for good and don’t bother me or Michelle. Stay out of our lives. You don’t belong here.”

  London clenched her fists and narrowed her eyes. “Fine. I don’t need you. I cannot believe that I ever considered being your wife. Clearly, I deserve better.”

  Logan didn’t say a word. His silence made her madder. She resisted the urge to pummel his chest with her fists. She inhaled sharply and turned away from him. As she walked to her car, she huffed, silently fuming. She didn’t dare to turn around to steal a glance at his reaction. If her performance at Michelle's studio today worked, Michelle would never take him back.

  Chapter 22

  Logan rapped on the Michelle’s office door. “Let me in, please. I can explain.”

  No response. Only muffled cries. His throat closed, and his chest tightened. Why did London have to mess with Michelle’s mind? He prayed this last interaction with London was the final one and she would heed his words and stay out of his life.

  The receptionist approached the door. “I’m going to lunch. Locking the studio behind me.” She studied Logan. “You’re going to have to leave.”

  The door opened, and Michelle stood there, hair disheveled, eyes red. She directed her attention at the receptionist. “Go ahead. I’ll show him out.”

  The receptionist bit her bottom lip and walked away. He faced Michelle. “Hey, I’m sorry about today. I didn’t know London was going to be here.”

  Michelle glared. “Really? So, this all just happened? Out of the blue?”

  “Actually, it did. I broke up with her a few nights ago. We’re history.”

  “You broke up with her?” Michelle stepped back. “So, you were dating her the same time you were dating me? Unbelievable.” She wiped the tears from her eyes.

  “I wasn’t dating her when I was dating you. She just returned to town two weeks ago.”

  “So, you picked up right where you left off? And you gave her a ring a few days after being reunited?”

  Logan sighed. This was going to take a lot of explaining. “Can we sit down?”

  “I don’t know if we can do anything together. Why are you here?”

  “Because we agreed to do lunch today and talk things out, remember?”

  Michelle glanced away then back at him. “Fine. Sit. Talk, then leave.”

  “Fair enough. But promise to hear me through before you throw me out.”

  She stepped aside so he could enter her office. They sat at a small conference table. Starting with how he and London met years ago, he explained everything to Michelle, including his surprise when she showed up at the news station while he was on air. “When I saw you with that Italian guy, I was jealous.”

  “Of what?”

  “Him. He got what I thought I couldn’t have. That stung.”

  “Like I misunderstood about the speech coach.”

  “Huh?”

  She played with the pencil that had been sitting on the table. “Juliana spied the two of you one day seeming very chummy with each other. She snapped a picture, and I snapped to judgment. That’s why I didn’t call you. We didn’t realize who that was until we saw your story on the news the other night.”

  “Guess I can’t blame you when I did the same thing. Anyway, Cameron helped me see the light. I’m sorry to have put you through all that. Especially the scene with London. She was way out of line. If I’d only known she was going to show up here, I would have stopped her.”

  Michelle inhaled sharply. “And I’m sorry I misunderstood you about her. But when I saw the picture of you kissing and the engagement announcement, I…I just couldn’t handle it, so I distanced myself from you.”

  He reached out, and she allowed him to touch her hands. “I know. But I never did reinstate my engagement with London. The photo was a lie. What you don’t see is what happened later. She showed me her true colors. She’s a horrible person, which is why I told her to leave.”

  Michelle’s hands trembled. “What if she shows up again and, well, does something?”

  “She won’t.”

  Michelle furrowed her brow. “How can you be so sure?”

  “She cares too much about her reputation with the public to ever do anything that would show her in a negative light or give her trouble. She was only trying to intimidate you. Don’t fall for it.”

  Michelle pressed both sides of her temple. “I don’t know. This is all so complicated.”

  “Let me uncomplicate it for you. I want you, Michelle, not London or any other woman in the world.”

  She peered at him through her lashes. “Why?”

  Because you’re everything to me. “Because I care about you, and I’d like to explore the concept of us.”

  A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “Us?”

  “Yes, I’d love to make us an item. If you’ll have me.”

  Michelle blushed, and his chest expanded. But then she sighed. “I don’t know. I care about you, too, but all of this and with my brother. It’s just putting me through an
emotional wringer, and I’m not sure I can do this.”

  Logan frowned. “Your brother? What’s he got to do with us?”

  Michelle chortled. “Everything. He doesn’t want me dating you.”

  “Why not?”

  “Marcel, my brother, is not exactly your biggest fan.”

  Logan drew in a breath. “I don’t understand. I haven’t met the man. Why?”

  She wrung her hands.

  He sighed. “Just tell me. I can take it.”

  “Marcel doesn’t like that I’m dating you because…”

  “Because what?”

  Michelle mumbled.

  He leaned in. “What did you say?”

  “Because you’re white.”

  “What? What does that have to do with us?”

  She glanced at the clock. “Do you mind if we get lunch and talk about this later? I need to return to work within the hour.”

  A million questions flew through Logan’s mind. But he agreed. “Fair enough.”

  They walked to the restaurant in silence. He took the opportunity to pray. Dear God, what is this? There’s someone else who wants to tear us apart? London was enough. Please remove any more obstacles. I really care about Michelle. Please, don’t let me lose her.

  “Do you like Mexican food?”

  Michelle’s words jolted Logan out of his silent talk with God as they reached Mariana’s Mesa. “Sure.”

  Minutes later, they had their food and found an empty table. After a few spicy bites, Logan wiped his mouth. “So, about your brother. Why doesn’t he want you dating a white guy?”

  Michelle swallowed. “He’s a great man, he really is, but he’s experienced a lot of hate and been in situations where people discriminated against him just because he’s black.”

  “Like with the cops?”

  She tensed. “Among other things.”

  “So, what does this have to do with me and with us?” He scooped up some guacamole with a chip.

  “It’s complicated. Have you ever dated a woman of color before?”

  “No.”

  She nodded and bit into her chicken taco.

  “What about it?”