“Jimmy sent me the playlist. All we have to do is go in and give the list to the band. Then our job as runaround slaves is finished.” He grabbed the door handle and pulled it open.
“Sounds good.” Although being done meant heading back home. Which also meant sitting alone in her mom’s house with nonfat ice cream. With the way she was feeling, she needed the full-fat stuff.
“All righty. Let’s do this,” he said as he jumped from the cab and slammed the door.
Hannah did the same. As they walked to the entrance of the studio, she took a deep breath. Ever since she had Sandy’s wedding dress on, her emotions were frazzled. She needed to get a grip. Rolling her shoulders back, she smiled. She decided to push the thoughts and decisions about Samson to the back of her mind and deal with them later.
Logan held the door and waved her in. A girl with tattoos on her arms was sitting at a desk on the far side of the room. She was bobbing her head to some rock music that blared from the speakers next to the monitor. She turned when they approached.
“Logan! How’s it going?” she asked as she stood and pulled him into a hug.
Hannah studied them. Who was this woman?
When they pulled apart, the girl glanced over to her. “Who’s this?”
Logan stepped back. “Sorry. Audrey, this is Hannah. Hannah, Audrey.”
“Hi,” Hannah said.
“Hannah, nice to meet you.” She stuck out her hand.
“So, how do you know each other? I know it’s not through music. Logan can’t carry a tune to save his life,” Hannah said as she shook Audrey’s hand.
Audrey let out a deep laugh. “That’s for sure.”
Logan play-punched her shoulder. “Hey, now. I’m not that bad.”
Audrey snorted. “When he sings, dogs whimper,” she said, leaning toward Hannah.
Logan glanced over at her with a sheepish look on his face. “We’re on the PTA together.”
Hannah raised her eyebrows. That was not what she was expecting to hear him say. “At Piper’s school?” Hannah asked. Logan was such a good uncle.
They both nodded.
“My son, Racer, is in the same class as Piper.”
“Audrey’s the PTA president.”
Hannah nodded.
“Hey, that reminds me. I didn’t see your name on the sign-up sheet for the school’s Christmas party.” Audrey narrowed her eyes. “You aren’t bailing on me, are you, Blake?”
Logan glanced over at Hannah, then back to Audrey. “I wasn’t sure how things were going to play out this Christmas.”
Audrey held up her hands. “That’s not an excuse. You’re coming and manning the Coal Toss booth.” Then her gaze landed on Hannah. “You know, it’s a two-person job. One to keep the hopped-up-on-sugar kids calm and the other to collect the coal.”
Hannah pointed to her chest. “Me? You want me to help?”
Audrey nodded. “Great! I’ll put you both down.”
Logan leaned over. “No use in arguing. Audrey always wins. That’s why she’s been the undefeated PTA president for five years.”
“But isn’t Racer only seven? She was PTA president before he was even in school?”
Logan nodded. “Exactly.”
So there really was no way of getting out of this. Hannah turned and smiled. “I’ll be there.”
“Great!” She leaned against the desk. “So what can I help you guys with?”
Logan pulled out his phone. “Jimmy needed me to give you his song list.”
Audrey nodded. “Great.” She took his phone, set it on the desk, and started writing.
Hannah wandered over to the glass window that separated them from the band on the other side. The singer was holding the microphone and his eyes were closed as he wailed into it. The music was muffled as it rattled the walls.
“You like rock?” Audrey appeared next to her.
Hannah jumped. “I—um, sure.”
Audrey eyed her. “Come on,” she said as she opened the door, causing the music to carry out into the foyer.
“I—well—”
“Come on.” Audrey waved toward the other room.
Not wanting to argue, Hannah nodded and followed her gesture.
“You, too, Blake!” Audrey yelled as they entered to other room.
Logan appeared in the doorway. “What are you guys doing?”
Audrey walked over to another door and pulled it open. The music petered off as the members took note of Audrey’s presence.
“Guys, this is Jimmy’s best man, Logan. And his girlfriend…” She drew out each syllable as if she were waiting for someone to correct her.
Hannah moved to correct her, but Logan interjected first. “Old friend.”
“Old friend, Hannah,” Audrey repeated.
The band members all nodded and said hi.
Audrey turned back to Logan and Hannah. She reached out and motioned between herself and the band. “We were having an argument earlier about a particular song. They don’t think it’s a fit for the wedding, but I do. When it comes to these guys, they always overrule me.” She leaned over. “There’s three of them and one of me. But I get two votes ‘cause I run this joint.”
“What do you need, Audrey?” Logan asked, eyeing her.
“I want them to play the song for you two, and you can tell me if you think that Jimmy and Sandy would like it at their wedding.”
Logan studied her. “But I gave you the list.”
Audrey shrugged. “Lists are more like guidelines.” A triumphant smile spread across her lips as she raised her arm. “Play it.” Then she wandered over to the far chair and sat down. Hannah folded her arms as she studied the band. If she were honest with herself, she was intrigued with what song had them arguing.
The drummer raised his sticks and tapped the count. The guitarist began to strum as the bass guitar joined in. Soon, the room was filled with a slow ballad.
The singer from earlier stepped up and began to sing. It was a low, soulful song.
“This a good one,” Logan said as he stepped up next to her.
“I recognize it.” Hannah stilled as she listened to the words.
“It’s a rendition of Perfect, by Ed Sheeran.”
“Oh.” She wrapped her arms around her chest, trying to still her pounding heart. She could feel Logan’s presence as he stood next to her. The memory of him wrapping his arms around her as he led her around the dance floor filled her every sense.
“Ask her to dance,” Audrey called out.
Hannah whipped around to shoot her an angry look. Audrey met it with an unapologetic stare as she nodded toward the two of them.
Turning back around, her heart sank and soared at the same time. Logan’s hand was extended, and he had an inviting look.
“Seems like a waste of a good song.” His smiled, and melted the icy wall she was attempting to put up between them.
“I…um…” Her gaze fell behind him, toward the bright red exit sign. Perhaps she could make it there if she ran. Before she could steel her nerves enough to dash to the door, Logan’s hand engulfed hers as he pulled her close.
“Logan…” she whispered as she allowed him to wrap his arm around her waist.
“It’s just a dance,” he said with his voice cloaked with emotion.
“I—” But all the words she could think of disappeared. He cradled her hand in his and stepped forward. Out of instinct, Hannah stepped back and within seconds, they were dancing around the recording studio.
Everything she had been holding onto faded into the song. Her body relaxed, and her soul soaked in the comfort that being in his arms gave her. This was familiar. This was safe. Her heart screamed that this was where she belonged. But her head was sending out warning signals.
“Hannah…” he whispered.
She dared exposure and glanced up. The memory of standing on the dance floor, glancing up at him as he leaned down to kiss her, flashed into her mind.
Suddenly, she didn’t want
to dance. Dropping his hand and stepping back, she glanced over to the exit sign. “I’m sorry,” she whispered as she dropped her gaze and headed straight toward the door. Straight toward freedom.
10
LOGAN
The air felt cool in the absence of Hannah’s presence. Logan watched her retreating frame. He fought every urge to run after her. From the look on her face, he knew the best thing to do right now was to give her some space. He’d do that for her.
“What was that about?” Audrey asked as she stepped up next to him.
“We have a past,” Logan said.
“I’d say.”
“It was my fault. I hurt her a long time ago.” He shoved his hands into his front pockets. “I’m trying to get her to trust me again.”
Audrey glanced over to him. “Was she the one that got away?”
He nodded. “Something like that.”
She smiled. “Don’t give up. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.”
Logan followed after her as she left the recording studio. “But what if she’s sitting on a proposal?”
Audrey narrowed her eyes. “You mean, she’s been proposed to, but she hasn’t answered?”
Logan nodded.
“Eh”—Audrey shrugged—“I wouldn’t worry too much about it. If she hasn’t said yes, she probably won’t.”
Logan fiddled with his phone as he thought about what she said. There was probably truth to her words. He just wished he had as much confidence as she did.
“You’re a great guy, Logan. You’ll do the right thing.”
“Yeah.” He turned his gaze toward the ground.
“Speaking of you being a great guy…” Audrey’s voice drifted off.
He turned to look at her. “What?” There was a look in her eye that made him uncomfortable.
“My mom is Josie. Josie Pinkles.”
Logan shrugged. “I don’t know who that is.”
Audrey traced her finger across a manila envelope on the desk. “She recently pitched the idea of the Kitty Cuddle to you.”
The image of a woman with white hair and bright eyes entered his mind. “Oh, that’s right.” Then his stomach sank. Did Audrey know about his dad’s money?
“Don’t be mad, but she told me that you were interested in making some investments.”
Logan tried to relax his face so his frustration wouldn’t show through. “I’m not really sure what I’m going to do right now.” How much did his mom tell Josie? Did Audrey know the dollar amount he was worth?
Audrey studied him, then nodded. “Well, I’m looking at expanding the studio to attract more bands. I’m looking for some investors. Here’s my business plan and current stats.” She lifted the envelope up and held it out. “Just look it over.”
The earnest glint in her eyes made it impossible for Logan to say no. He nodded as he took it from her. “I’ll look at it.”
Audrey’s face relaxed. “Great!” Then she glanced down at the playlist she’d written earlier. “I’ll get this to the band.”
Logan nodded. “Sounds good. I’ll let Jimmy know you have it.” He turned and headed toward the front door. Hopefully, he’d given Hannah enough time to cool off. He wasn’t sure what he was going to say to her, but he couldn’t leave her fuming outside. That wouldn’t do anything for his current resolve to earn her trust.
HANNAH
Hannah stood outside the studio, pacing back and forth. Her stomach was in knots. On the one hand, she was completely embarrassed that she lost her crap inside. On the other hand, her feelings for Logan were starting to resurface. Both of those added up to an emotionally crazed Hannah.
She grabbed her phone and pushed the button with Bert’s name on it.
“You’ve got Bert,” his rough voice said after three rings.
“Bert, it’s Hannah. Could you come pick me up?”
“Sure, where are you?”
“The recording studio on Fifth and Main.”
He fell silent for a moment. “Yep, that should be fine. I’ll be there in three minutes.”
Hannah’s shoulder’s relaxed. “Perfect.”
She threw the phone back into her purse. She peered around the building, grateful that Logan had decided to give her some space. Thankfully, he remembered she needed time to cool down. There had been plenty of times as kids she’d go running to her house upset with something he’d done. It wouldn’t take her long to forgive him, but she did need that break.
Sighing, she leaned against the wall of the building. What a mess her life had become. Samson. Logan. Her mom. She was struggling to mend relationships. Heck, she was struggling to maintain relationships.
It was growing more apparent that running away wasn’t the way to solve anything. She’d spent seven years apart from her mom. And that did nothing. She was still at the same place she’d been at when she left. Their relationship hadn’t changed.
As much as she struggled to connect with her mom, one thing was certain, she missed her. It was hard to watch all her roommates and friends get married with their moms right alongside them. Giggling over wedding details and picking out dresses. Would she ever have that? Could her mom ever forgive her?
She tilted her face toward the sky and let the early afternoon sunlight shine on her skin. It warmed her skin. Maybe it was time she started telling the truth. Time to start fixing the things that she’d broken in her life. She wasn’t a victim. She controlled her destiny.
“Hannah?” Logan’s voice carried from around the building.
It started now. “I’m over here.” She made her way to the front.
He rounded the corner. He raised his eyebrows as if he weren’t sure what she was going to do. “You okay?”
She pinched her lips together and nodded. “Yeah.” She relaxed her face, hoping to portray how she felt. “I’m really sorry for running out on you like that.”
He studied her. “It’s okay. You don’t need to apologize. I shouldn’t have asked you to dance.” His voice grew softer. “We do have a history.”
Her cheeks heated at the mention of their past. Squaring her shoulders, she gave him a smile. “But that’s just it. It’s history. We’re both adults. We should be able to move forward.” She reached out her hand. “To a fresh start—as friends.”
He eyed her hand. “Hannah, I don’t think you understand what happ—”
“I’m engaged,” she blurted out.
His gaze met hers. “What?”
She fiddled with her purse strap. “I’m sorry I didn’t say that earlier. It’s really recent, and I’ve been trying to process it all.” She took a deep breath. “But I’m engaged.”
Logan took a step back. “To whom?”
“His name is Samson. I met him during a weekend getaway to New York. His family owns a bunch of high-rise apartments there. He moved to Ohio for some business ventures and to live closer to me.”
Logan remained quiet as he watched her. Then he turned his gaze toward the ground. “I’m happy for you. Although, I’m not quite sure why you lied to me.” His pain-filled gaze met hers. “We used to be so close. I just wish we could go back to that.”
Clutching her strap, Hannah nodded. Truth was, she wished that as well. All she wanted to do was rewind the clock and start over. She’d make the right choices this time. “I know. I do, too. But we can’t. The past can’t be changed. All we can do is learn from it and move on. And I’m moving on.”
He shoved his hands into his front pockets. “Does he treat you well?”
“Yeah.” In all reality, their relationship was perfect. They never argued or disagreed. Most evenings they would spend time in her living room with Samson on his phone negotiating deals while she was buried in the newest case file. “He’s a good guy.”
Logan reached out, his fingertips inches from her arm. Her heart raced as she studied his hand. She wanted and feared his touch. A few seconds ticked by, but they felt like an eternity. Suddenly, his hand engulfed her arm. She glanced up at h
im and the look in his eyes took her breath away.
“I’m happy for you.” His Adam’s apple rose and fell. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.”
“I know.” She held his gaze. She wanted him to know that they were okay. Even if they missed out on being a couple, they could still be friends. She wasn’t going to run again. “You were always my best friend. We will always have those memories.”
They stood in silence with Logan’s hand still wrapped around her arm. The breeze shook the trees, and Hannah watched as the sun danced across his face. The salty ocean air surrounded them. She took a deep breath, pushing down all the frustration she’d felt for so long.
A car’s honk pulled them from the trance they were in. Hannah jumped and glanced behind Logan. Bert had pulled up in front of the building and was waving at her.
“That’s my cab,” she said, nodding toward Bert.
Logan’s eyes narrowed as he glanced behind him. “Cab—I can take you home, Hannah.”
She shook her head. “No, that’s okay. I don’t want to inconvenience you.”
“Inconv—Hannah, it’s okay.” He reached out to touch her arm.
Like two magnetic sides that weren’t meant to go together, Hannah pulled back. “Logan, listen, I’m engaged. Things have changed. We will always have our memories, but that’s all. We need to move forward.”
Logan flexed his hand and dropped it. “So moving forward means giving up on our friendship?”
Hannah shook her head. “Not giving up. Just changing it. Adapting.”
He pushed his hand through his hair and nodded. “Got it.”
“Logan”—she stepped toward him—“I think it’s the best for both of us. Moving on is what’s best.”
He held up his hands. “I understand.” Then he waved toward Bert. “He’s waiting.”
Hannah chewed her lip. Obviously, something she’d said bothered him. Why was he acting this way? He had to know that she cared about him. Right?
Bert honked again. She glanced over as he rolled the window down. “Coming, girlie? I’ve got other places to be.”
Forgiving the Billionaire (A Clean Billionaire Romance Book 2) Page 7