Set Up for Love

by Virna DePaul

  I made a bee-line for them.

  “I didn’t know you two knew each other,” I told the boys.

  “We met through his sister. We’d get invited to the same barbeques,” Jared said. “I had no idea this was the Logan you were talking about.”

  No way would I let either of the boys steer me in that direction. Instead, I shifted to the blonde. “Nice to see you outside the gym.”

  “Yeah, I’m glad I came.” She smiled in a way that proved she was part feline. I wouldn’t be going near either of the two men if she had any say in it.

  “Me, too.” I smiled back and we stared at each other for several heartbeats.

  Logan grinned, obviously amused at the interchange. “So, Shelby, how are you enjoying Ginny’s birthday bash?”

  “So far, so good. You?” I met his gaze with a challenge, mentally calculating how long before he ran off with the walking ad for fitness.

  “Getting better.” Logan grinned.

  “Not from my perspective, but it will be in just a moment.” I patted Jared’s arm. “Maybe I’ll see you later.” I turned on my heel and strolled off. Feeling Logan’s gaze on my ass, I congratulated myself on my choice of jeans and tank top. I looked fantastic in jeans.

  Ginny stopped me just as I rounded a corner. “What was that all about?”

  I beamed. “Just talking to them like you suggested.”

  She frowned. “Yeah, but I meant that you should let yourself go, get involved with Logan, take a chance. Not be bitchier.”

  Why was she pushing so hard? Maybe she thought Logan truly loved me and if I took up with him, I’d realize it too and we’d live happily ever after. Apparently, she needed a dose of reality. “You know what hurts the most?” I asked.

  She shook her head.

  “The betrayal. Logan was sweet, loving and patient, but he wasn’t a kiss-ass either. He held his own with me and everyone else. He was my best friend and everything a girl could want in a guy. And when he touched me, I knew he loved me with his whole heart and the world just fell away. I knew we’d always be together. When he left, it made me doubt everyone and everything.” My chin trembled. “I can’t go there again, Ginny. I just can’t. Not with anyone.”

  “Okay,” she said softly. “No more setting you up with him. This was the last time.”

  “So you did invite him?” More matchmaking attempts?

  “Absolutely not! I knew you’d ask me and I didn’t want to lie. I made Victor do it.”

  I laughed and hugged her. “This is why I love you.”

  She squeezed then released me. “Go mingle. Have some fun.”

  “Maybe I can help with that.” Logan came into view in my peripheral.

  I turned to give him a quick scowl and when I turned back, Ginny had vanished. Figures.

  “I doubt that,” I said.

  He held up both hands. “How about a truce? I don’t tell you how much I love you and you dance with me. Just like regular friends.”

  I feigned boredom, looking around the room. “Not sure if that’s possible for either of us. Serial dumping is your thing and avoiding disaster is mine.” As if I wasn’t guilty of dumping my share of guys. Logan wouldn’t know that though.

  He moved in front of me to catch my roaming gaze. “I don’t love you and I don’t want you back. Ever. You’re much too… independent for me.” The corners of his mouth curled up. “Dance?”

  I tuned in to a ballad playing. A slow dance would require his hands on me. “I’ll pass.”

  Glancing over, I spotted Jared and little Miss Yoga. They looked like they were really hitting it off. I grimaced.

  “You don’t want him but you don’t want anyone else to have him either?” Logan asked.

  “Who says I don’t want him?”

  “If you did, you wouldn’t have told him you didn’t want to see him because you’re ex was back in town. Me.”

  I snorted. “You? Right. Don’t flatter yourself. I have plenty of other exes.”

  Logan looked cocky. “You mentioned me by name.”

  Oh, yeah. Shit. And damn Jared for spilling it. “You promised we wouldn’t talk about us.”

  “So I did.” He nodded and mimed zipping his lips. “Sorry.”

  “Jared’s a great guy. I’d love to see him with a nice girl. But she’s not a nice girl.”

  “Agreed.” He chuckled. “Shall we break it up?”

  “He’s a grown man. I’m sure he can handle himself.” Although reuniting with Jared and the blonde seemed a better option that staying alone with Logan. Just the two of us. No matter how yummy that sounded, I knew it wouldn’t end well.

  “Let’s join them anyway. You distract him and I’ll pretend to hit on her.”

  “Pretend?” Oh, right, like I really wanted to watch him do that.

  “Hey now.” Logan looked offended. “We’re being friends tonight, not exes. And even if I was interested in her, which I’m not — I like my women a little less fake and self-centered — no guy in his right mind could think about her when you’re in the room.”

  Fake. That was me, pretending I didn’t want Logan. Not that I intended to change my ways. I just wanted him to see the flaw in his logic. “And that’s why you’re hanging out with me, because I’m so considerate and generous.”

  “You don’t fool me. I know beyond the quips, the insults and all that professionalism on the job, there’s still the generous and loyal girl I fell in love with.”

  “It’s been a long time, Logan. What you see now is what you get.” I took a sip of my drink and shifted slightly so I could people-watch.

  “What I’ve seen is how you treat other people, how you want to help them. You don’t let your personal feelings get in the way of your principles. You want to make that commission off Mr. Fellows. You want it so bad you can smell the money. But you’d give it up in a heartbeat if you didn’t think he was getting a fair deal. You could have let me buy that first house but you didn’t. And you still have the same friends you’ve had for years — good people I might add. You even stopped seeing Jared because you didn’t think it was fair to lead him on.” He angled his head. “Inside, you’re still the same person you’ve always been. Good. Honorable.”

  “But not so good that I’d forgive you.”

  “So I’ve noticed. C’mon, let’s go save Jared.”

  We weaved through the crowd, Logan’s palm lightly brushing my lower back and sending a tingle up my spine. I considered objecting but didn’t want him to think his touch affected me.

  “You’re back.” Jared flashed us a lopsided grin.

  Ms. Abs seized the moment and switched her attention to Logan. “I loved Wars and Ruination.”

  She went on, breaking down the meaning of various scenes but I tuned her out. I hadn’t seen the movie or read the book. Or any of Logan’s books, for that matter.

  Jared nudged me. “Looks like they’re hitting it off,” he said for my ears only.

  Were they? I tuned back in.

  “I’d love to hear more about what you’re writing now,” she said.

  “I’m in between projects. There’s this manuscript I just finished though. Shelby has it.”

  My eyes widened. I hadn’t read a single page.

  “I’m waiting to see what she says before I pass it onto my publisher.” He eyed me.

  My lips formed an O as I tried to muster up a response.

  “I need her blessing since a lot of it’s about her.” Logan hadn’t taken his eyes off me.

  No sane woman would pursue Logan after those comments. After Tiffany made it so obvious that her interest was in Logan, Jared probably would not want to be second best. He’d avoid her. Which meant my work there was done.

  I raised my cup. “I need a refill.” I spun and booked it, determined to avoid all three of them the rest of the night.

  ***

  Monday morning, I started work earlier than usual, opened escrow for Logan and called him to give him an update. We talked for
over half an hour about what came next, the home inspection process and when escrow would close.

  And he didn’t once tell me he loved me or try to line up our next meeting. Maybe he had hit it off with Ms. Abs after all. But thoughts like that wouldn’t make my day any more pleasant. Unless… maybe if he did take up with her, I’d have the solid proof I needed that Logan was scum. It would get me out of limbo. Yes, that’s what I needed.

  Tuesday came and went without a word from Logan or Mr. Fellows. The listing agent on Fellows’ house called to say they were still considering our request. As near as I could tell, his and Logan’s deal was still on.

  Wednesday evening, I went to the gym. After my last lap around the pool, I dried off and dressed then hit the weight room. I sighed at the lack of free machines. Every one I wanted was already being used.

  “I’m almost done here. Just another couple minutes.”

  Recognizing Logan’s voice immediately, I jerked around. Since when did he go to my gym? My eyes swept over him. He looked gorgeous. His sweats were loose but they weren’t the thick kind that looked bulky. The only thing bulky about him was his thighs and tight butt. And why didn’t guys wear loose shirts to work out? Well, they did but only the ones with weight problems. The guys who had bodies like Logan always showed off their muscles. Muscles… I tried not to picture them flexing as he…

  Logan smiled smugly. “If you gawk, I might think you like me.”

  I closed my mouth and scanned the area for a free machine.

  “Have you heard back yet?” Logan exhaled as he gently let the weights descend again.

  “No. I’m going to call when I get in the office.”

  “Any news from the Mr. Fellows camp?”

  I shook my head. “No.”

  “It’s all yours. I’ll talk to you later.” He rose and waved.

  I watched him stroll down the carpeted walkway without turning back. Had he lost interest or not? I’d thought he finished with me at the party but his comment about his manuscript had given me the distinct opposite impression. After a very business-like conversation Monday, I’d expected some flirting or something. Nothing.

  I adjusted the weight and began my sets while I obsessed on Logan and whether he still intended to chase me. Damn him for drawing me in.

  ***

  Janice, the receptionist, poked her head in my office. “Line one is for you.” By her look of pity, I knew who it was.

  I picked up the phone and punched the flashing button. “Hi, Mr. Fellows, I was just about to call you. I, uh… I heard back.” I paused but Mr. Fellows wasn’t into filler. If conversation stopped, he only added to the dead air with more silence. “They refused your request. Since the appraisal came in well over the selling price, despite the needed repairs, they feel you’re still getting a great deal. They’re confident if they put the house on the market again, they’ll get what they want. I’m afraid I’m going to have to agree with them on that.”

  “Fair enough. Escrow’s still scheduled to close on the fifth?”

  “Yes.” No argument? Could it be that easy? Maybe I should ask him outright if he wants to cancel escrow. Or maybe I could be more subtle about it. “Today’s the last day of the inspection contingency. I’ll need you to sign off on it.”

  “I can stop by around two. Does that suit you?”

  My eyes bugged. Was he really going through with it? What the hell changed?

  When I hung up, I called Logan, anxious to share the good news about his house. And of course, that damned indifference sucked me in. “We’re in escrow,” I announced, holding the phone between my shoulder and ear as I scrolled through my email. “Any preference on when we do the inspection?”

  “No, I’m flexible. Just set it up and let me know. How’s it going with Mr. Fellows?”

  Why would Logan care? “Great. Looks like his feet warmed up.”

  “Good to hear.”

  Yes, it was. But why did Mr. Fellows go from paranoid and over-cautious to Mellow Fellows? He would arrive shortly to sign off on the papers. Once done, it would be quite a trick to back out. The deal was as good as closed.

  Several minutes later, a huge grin greeted me as I looked up from my computer. My, Mr. Fellows was in a good mood and anxious to sign, judging by how early he was. “Hi. Have a seat.” I pushed the ready stack of papers toward him.

  “Don’t mind if I do.” He snatched up the pen and began flipping through the papers, stopping now and then to scribble his signature. “I have a really good feeling about this house.”

  “Great.” But why the one-eighty? “Me too.”

  I verified each signature as he passed me the papers, one by one. When he handed me the last document, I slowly exhaled, my shoulders unbunching. I’d done it. My hard work and patience had finally paid off.

  “Let’s celebrate. Dinner’s on me.” Mr. Fellows rose and grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair.

  “It’s only four. A little early for dinner.” But my growling stomach disagreed.

  “By the time we get there and order, it’ll be dinnertime. C’mon. I know a great place. There’s someone I want to talk to and he’ll be there. I can kill two birds with one stone.”

  That was Mr. Fellows, efficient business man, through and through.

  And I liked him. Not only that, but I wanted to celebrate with him. I followed Mr. Fellows in my own car and despite his foot’s reluctance to make contact with the accelerator, we arrived before my stomach imploded.

  The Boat House. That was his idea of eating well. Not that I minded.

  As soon as we sat, Marcia, the same surly dark-haired waitress who’d served Logan and I stopped by to take our drink order then left quickly.

  Mr. Fellows waved to someone behind me. “Oh, great. He’s here. I can introduce you.”

  I swiveled in my chair to see… Logan. A moment later, he stood at our table.

  Just great. Hadn’t I been exposed to him enough today between the gym and calling him later with the update? Not really. If I were to be honest with myself, I couldn’t get enough of him.

  “Logan, you know Shelby, realtor extraordinaire.”

  If Fellows knew I’d met Logan, they must have talked about me. Hm…“Hi,” I said.

  “Nice to see you again.” Logan gave me a polite smile as though I were only his realtor. “This is unexpected.”

  Was it? Or had he planned it. I couldn’t be sure.

  “Isn’t that something? Small world,” Mr. Fellows said. “Logan, why don’t you join us?”

  Logan looked innocently to me for confirmation. No smoldering looks? No declaring his love? What was he up to? It wasn’t as if I could blow him off and appear rude in front of Mr. Fellows. But was there anyone in this town who Logan didn’t know? “Uhm, yeah, have a seat.” I scooted over to make room.

  “I’d love to,” he said pleasantly then embarked on conversations with Mr. Fellows that were so far out of my sphere of interest, all I could do was nod now and then. To my surprise, Logan knew an awful lot about sailing and cars. Our food arrived and they moved on to sports which wasn’t any better. I laughed at the appropriate times and enjoyed the great food.

  When we were ready to leave, Mr. Fellows grabbed the check. Logan reached into his wallet but Mr. Fellows held up a hand. “It’s on me. It’s the least I can do for all your help.”

  What help?

  “It was no trouble,” Logan said.

  “There I was, lost in my own little real estate hell when this young man pulled me out,” Mr. Fellows told me. “How’d you learn so much about real estate, Logan?”

  Since when did my ex, the famous writer, become an expert on buying and selling? If he’d known that much about the industry, he wouldn’t have been asking so many questions over the last couple days.

  Logan grinned at me then back to Mr. Fellows. “I’m a good listener.”

  So he’d taken everything I said and repeated it to Mr. Fellows who wouldn’t listen to me but he’d listened
to a celebrity. Did Logan seek Mr. Fellows out on my behalf or was he in the right place at the right time? Either way, Logan saved my ass. But did he help out just to get me in his bed or did he really love me? I wasn’t so sure anymore.

  “Well, thank you for dinner.” I rose and collected my purse.

  “You’re quite welcome. We’ll talk soon.”

  “I’ll walk you to your car,” Logan said, his hand finding its way to my lower back to guide me.

  I nodded and headed to my Lexus, stopping at the driver’s side.

  “Goodnight,” he said, turning to leave.

  “Wait.” I grabbed his solid upper arm and he froze. Stretching up on my toes, I brushed his cheek with my lips and lowered again. “Thank you.”

  His eyes locked onto mine and narrowed. “For what?”

  “It’s obvious you talked to him. That was nice of you.”

  He shrugged and continued watching me. Would he kiss me? I wanted him to. No, I didn’t. That would only complicate my life and nothing had changed between us. Nothing majorly important anyway. But would he try? My breathing slowed as I waited.

  “I’d kiss you right now,” he said softly, tracing his fingertips down my cheek. “But you’re not ready yet.”

  I watched him walk away, knowing I wouldn’t sleep much that night. Thoughts of him would consume me. As if he didn’t already own me, body and soul.

  ***

  “I love you, Shelby.”

  Yes, he did. Everything in me believed it whole heartedly. Ours was the rare and special love that would last forever.

  “I love you, too.” I gulped in a lungful of air and the delicious ache laced through me. No man had ever touched me like that. No other man ever would.

  “Shelby,” he whispered in my ear. “Let it go, baby.”

  The little tickle built until my body quivered and I moaned.

  I gasped, opening my eyes as the last of the quivers subsided and I curled into my comforter.

  Oh, Lord, I’d just had a wet dream about Logan. And it had been good. No, it had been great. Not only that, I’d just had a killer orgasm without having to compromise my principles or put myself in a position where he could dump me.