“Well, she called me last night and we got to talking, and she asked me if I’d show her around Jake’s outdoors store if she came back to Aspen Ridge for an afternoon. I think she meant it as a date. And I know you and I have only gone out twice, but I’d like to shoot for a third time, and I wondered if you’d mind if I hung out with Kelly just for an afternoon, showed her the store, stuff like that.”
Laurie really couldn’t get over this guy. How sweet was that—he was basically asking permission to see another girl. On the one hand, she wondered if he was putting far too many emotional expectations on their two-date relationship, but on the other, she couldn’t help but be amazed that he was so considerate of her feelings. “Of course you can spend the day with her, Brennan. You didn’t need to ask me, but it was awfully sweet of you. And thanks for the beautiful flower.”
“You’re welcome. I saw it and decided you had to have it.” He paused for a moment. “So, about date number three.”
Laurie hadn’t intended to go out with him a third time, thinking it would be kinder that way since she didn’t see a future with him, but after what he’d just done, she couldn’t possibly tell him no. “How about Saturday? I get off a little early, so I’ll be free at five.”
“That would be great. I’ll pick you up at your place at five thirty, if that works.”
“Perfect.”
Laurie laid the rose on the front seat of her car as she drove home and then put it in a vase on her nightstand. It was such a simple gesture, but it meant something so much deeper. Here was a guy who really, truly cared about her feelings, and that had never happened to her before. Ever.
* * *
Laurie really shouldn’t have been surprised when Logan came into the shop two days later, but she was. She had decided that he was never coming back, and that realization had brought some peace into her life. Mostly. Now, seeing him again, her stomach rolled over with nerves.
He wasn’t in his lawyer costume today. Instead, he was dressed similarly to how he was at the game, in jeans, a T-shirt, and a black leather jacket. Wait—leather jacket? He wasn’t wearing one of those at the game. And how had he known that she had a thing for leather jackets? It wasn’t fair! It just wasn’t!
“Hi,” he said, leaning against the reception counter. “Kelly came into town to hang out with Brennan, and I thought I might take you to lunch or something.”
Oh, that would not be a good idea. That would actually be a terrible, terrible idea. “Why?” she asked cautiously.
“Because food is something humans need to stay alive.”
He had a point. She wasn’t sure if it was actually a good point because her brain had just set off all its alarm bells, but she nodded anyway. “I guess that would be all right.”
“Great.” He flashed a smile at her. “I’ve been craving a bacon cheeseburger all day. How’s the diner here?”
“It’s really good. I eat there a lot.” Just then a young woman entered the shop, accompanied by two older ladies. “Listen, my next appointment is here. How about if I meet you at the diner when I’m done? Say, an hour and a half? You can check out all the stores on Main Street while you wait.”
“That sounds good.” He flashed her another one of those smiles before ducking out through the door.
Laurie tried to shake off the effect he had on her, with special emphasis on forgetting the leather jacket, and turned to the newcomer with a smile. “Welcome to Millicent’s Bridal. I’m Laurie.”
* * *
Going to lunch at the diner wasn’t supposed to be stressful. But this time, it definitely was. Thankfully, her new bride had found what she wanted quickly so Laurie was able to be on time to meet Logan, but as she stood outside on the sidewalk, preparing herself to go in, she wasn’t so sure this was the best idea after all. He’d told her he thought she was special, and that was pretty flattering. But was it enough to erase all the other things he’d said, and was it enough to allow them to start over? Did she want to start over? She kind of liked pretending he didn’t exist.
Logan stood up when she came into the diner, and Laurie slid into the booth across from him. “Thanks for meeting me,” he said. “I wasn’t sure you would.”
“And I’m not sure why I did,” she told him. “I was questioning my sanity all the way here.”
He gave an easy laugh. “I don’t blame you. We really don’t have a great history together, you and I.”
“No, we certainly do not.”
Sloane came up to the table, her eyes wide. “Can I take your order?” she asked and then held up her notebook to act as a shield between herself and Logan. “Holy cow,” she mouthed.
Laurie gave a slight nod. Yeah, Logan did have that effect on women. She knew all too well. He was like a hypnotist—but be careful or he’d steal your favorite necklace while you were under his spell. He was not to be trusted. “I’ll have the taco salad,” she said.
“And for you?” Sloane turned to Logan.
“Laurie told me you make a good bacon cheeseburger.”
“We do.”
“Then I’ll take one of those, with a side of onion rings and a large Diet Coke.”
Sloane made a note on her paper. “Did you want anything to drink, Laurie?”
“Just an ice water with mostly ice.”
“I’ll be right back with your drinks.” Sloane winked at Laurie as she turned away.
“So, you said you eat here a lot?” Logan asked, folding his arms and placing them on the table.
“A lot more than I care to admit. I get hot chocolate here every morning, and I eat lunch here at least once a week.”
“They seem to have a good selection. You could eat here for a month and never have the same thing twice.”
“That’s true, but I’ve never tried it. I’ve got my favorites, and I tend to stick with those.” Laurie studied Logan across the table. “Okay, so, I don’t think you came all the way here from Denver just so we could discuss the menu at the diner. And don’t tell me that Kelly’s scared to drive and asked you to bring her, because that would be too convenient.”
“You’re right. I actually came all the way here from Denver to see if you’ve started to forgive me yet.”
Laurie sighed as she thought about her answer. Sloane walked up with their drinks and then seemed to pick up on the serious tone at the table because she set the cups down and walked away without saying anything.
“I guess I have forgiven you,” Laurie said after another minute. “I still think you’ve got an awfully high opinion of yourself, but I’ve been thinking about it a lot, and I can see where the stress from the case and the pressure your mother was putting on you would create problems. I’m willing to let it go.”
“That’s the best news I’ve had all day. My best news from yesterday is that they caught my sister’s ex-fiancé and they’re holding him without bail because he’s a flight risk. That one was sort of a no-brainer.”
“No kidding. I’m glad they caught him. What a relief for your family.”
Logan took a sip of his drink and then said, “So, you’ve been thinking about me a lot, huh?”
“No, not you. The situation. There’s a big difference.” Laurie knew her cheeks had just caught fire.
“I don’t see how it’s possible to think about a situation involving me without thinking about me.” Logan was enjoying her discomfort far too much.
“Okay, I was thinking about you. Are you happy now?” Laurie picked up her straw wrapper, wadded it into a ball, and threw it at him. He caught it with his right hand and laughed, a genuine sound.
“I am happy now. And just so you know, I’ve been thinking about you, too. A lot.” His voice mellowed. “Laurie, I’d like for us to be friends. Is that something you’re willing to consider?”
Friends? Did she think she could be friends with a guy who thought he was the coolest thing since sunglasses? That sounded like a perfect recipe for getting hurt, and she just wasn’t interested in that. But this
person across the table from her seemed totally different from the one she met at the bridal shop, all scowling into his phone and stuff. Maybe Logan-in-the-leather-jacket deserved a shot. Or maybe just his jacket did. Whatever.
“I think I can manage that,” she said after another long moment.
Sloane brought their plates, and Logan slipped off his jacket before he started to eat. That wasn’t quite a deal-breaker—he was still hot without it—but she missed it on him. She couldn’t blame him, though—it had been a little chilly that morning, but the day was getting warmer by the minute. He must have been starting to roast.
Logan took a bite of the cheeseburger, and then another, and moaned. “Oh, man. Oh, wow.”
“Good, huh?” Laurie asked, amused to see him with his guard down.
“This just might be the best burger I’ve had in my life.” He waved at Sloane, and she came over. “May I please propose marriage to your cook?”
Sloane laughed. “You could, but I’m not sure he’d appreciate it.” She turned and called over her shoulder, “Hey, Eddie. This guy says he wants to marry you.”
Eddie, the bald and almost toothless sixty-year-old in the kitchen, grunted through the window, and Sloane laughed again. “I’m sure he takes that as the compliment it was meant to be.”
“Well, if that’s a no from Eddie, how about you? You brought it to the table.”
“I’d marry you in a heartbeat, but I’m working the late shift tonight, so I’m afraid you’re out of luck. I’ll refill your Diet Coke, though.” Sloane took Logan’s cup and disappeared behind the counter.
“I’m not sure I’ve ever seen someone enjoy a burger so much,” Laurie said, her mouth twitching while she tried not to smile.
“When you live on courthouse cafeteria food like I do, you gain an appreciation for certain things.” Logan took a giant swig of his drink when Sloane brought his cup back to the table. “How’s yours?”
“Good, but I’m not about to propose marriage to Eddie. I don’t think I could stand to wake up every morning to that face.”
Logan laughed and then tucked back in to his food, this time taking the onion rings for a spin. He seemed to enjoy those every bit as much as the burger.
After their meal was eaten, Logan dropped a generous tip on the table and stood. “How long until you have to be back at the shop?”
Laurie checked the time on her phone. “I have fifteen minutes. Millie gave me extra time today because all our consultants are working.”
“Will you go on a fifteen-minute walk with me?”
“Um, sure. I guess.” That was kind of an odd request, but since she didn’t think this was a kidnapping attempt, it would probably be all right.
Logan held the door for her as they left the diner, and once they were out on the sidewalk, he let her lead the way. “Where shall we go?”
“I think there’s a new batch of puppies in at the pet store.”
“All right, puppies it is.”
Noah’s Ark had a huge front window with a pet display during the cooler months, but it was kept empty during the summer because the sun could get quite hot. As they stepped into the store, they were greeted by a cacophony of barks and bird calls, mixed with the squeals of excited children.
Laurie caught sight of the puppy display in the back corner and motioned for Logan to follow her. They had to pick their way through all the people—mostly under three feet tall—to make it to that corner, and when they did, they saw what all the fuss was about.
“Oh, how adorable,” Laurie gushed without meaning to gush. There were five Golden Retriever puppies and four chocolate Labs, and they were all just as cute as they could be. She bent down and picked up one of the Labs, cuddling it against her neck. “I wish our apartment building allowed pets. No—wait. If it did, Regan would want a cat, and I don’t want to live with a cat. But this little guy I could totally live with.”
Logan bent down and scratched one of the Retrievers behind the ears. “I’m not much of a cat person myself.”
“Do you have any pets?” Laurie asked.
“No. I used to have a horse back before my dad died, but Mom sold the ranch and that was that.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize your father had died.” Although she should have guessed it—for all the talk of “Mom this” and “my mother that,” she hadn’t heard Logan or Kelly mention a father.
“Yeah, I was twelve and Kelly was eight. It was really hard on Mom, and she sort of lost it there for a little while. She moved us to Denver and we started a whole new life, away from anything that reminded her of Dad.”
“Where was your ranch?”
“Up in Montana.”
“I’ve always wanted to go there, but never have.” Laurie gave the puppy in her arms one last squeeze and then returned him to the enclosure.
“It’s really not that far away. You should go sometime,” Logan said. “The mountains are amazing, and it’s perfect horse country, if you’re into riding. Oh, we’d better get you back now.”
They tried to move toward the door, but a new kindergarten class must have let out in the meantime because the place was even more packed with kids than it had been a moment before. Logan reached back, took Laurie’s hand, and together they threaded their way outside. Once they reached the sidewalk, he didn’t let go. It felt odd, but also exciting, treading on new territory. This guy wasn’t Brennan—not at all. Brennan was safe and secure. Nothing bad would ever happen with Brennan. Logan could hurt her—she sensed that he had the power to get into her heart and fracture it into a million pieces. And yet she didn’t pull her hand away. Maybe she was in the mood for some danger.
The pet store was only a couple of buildings up from the bridal store, so their walk was quick. Logan paused outside the doors, still holding her hand. “I’d like to come back sometime to see you,” he said softly.
“You’ve never asked my permission to come here before. Why start now?” Laurie joked.
“No, seriously. Can we go out again sometime?”
She felt that pull, that thread of danger weaving around her heart, but for some reason, she couldn’t say no. “All right. But call me first.” She didn’t know why she said that—maybe she was trying to retain some control over the situation. It was a futile attempt. Until he stopped knocking her off balance—sometimes literally—he had the control, and she sensed that he liked it that way.
“Okay, I will.” Logan gave her hand a slight squeeze. “But I’ll need your number.”
She gave it to him and then he left, walking down Main Street toward Jake’s shop. Bye-bye, leather jacket.
Laurie was practically useless the rest of the day—she just couldn’t stop wondering what it all meant.
Chapter Eleven
“Laurie, this is Logan. You probably weren’t expecting to hear from me so soon, but my boss is having a party at the firm tonight, and he said we could bring guests. Well, actually, he said we had to bring guests, and he forbade us to bring family members, so that means both Mother and Kelly are out of the question. I thought of you—first, because I want to see you, and second, because I just learned that a co-worker of mine went to Harvard too and said he knows you. So will you come? If you do, you can hang out with your old friend if you get tired of me.”
Just then, Laurie’s phone cut off the message. She smiled. Logan sounded almost desperate to get her to this party. Were events at his firm so boring that he had to import a date to make them more tolerable?
She called him back, and he answered on the first ring. “I’m so glad you got my message. I wasn’t sure you’d get it on time.”
“Your party sounds really boring, but I’d love to come,” she said.
“Great. I’ve already sent a car.”
“What? You sent it and I hadn’t even called you back yet?”
“I was counting on your kindheartedness to save me in my hour of need.”
“Whatever. What am I supposed to wear?”
“Do you have a cocktail dress?”
“No, but I’m sure one of my roommates will let me borrow one.”
“Perfect. The car will be there in about fifteen minutes. See you.”
Fifteen minutes? What? Laurie pulled off her work clothes and threw on a robe. She could probably salvage her hair, but she’d need to redo her makeup. She stepped out into the hall. “Emergency!”
Her three roommates showed up instantly. “What’s wrong?” Cara asked.
“I need to borrow a cocktail dress. Right now.”
“You’re closest to my size. I have two—red and silver,” Regan said.
“I’ll take the red one.” Laurie grabbed a washcloth and started removing her eye makeup. “I’ve only got fifteen minutes to get ready.”
“Who only gives a girl fifteen minutes to get into a cocktail dress?” Morgan grumbled.
“Well, in all fairness, he did leave the message a couple of hours ago. But my phone died and I had to wait until I was back at home with the charger before I could listen to it.”
“Fine—I guess that’s a good enough excuse.” Morgan disappeared and then reappeared a second later. “Here’s my ruby necklace. You can borrow it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. Take it.”
Laurie’s other roommates made similar contributions, and soon she was decked out like a hot princess. Her silver strappy sandals went well with the dress, and Cara’s silver clutch was almost a match. The red dress made her hair seem even darker, and she felt like maybe she really could pull off this getting-ready-in-fifteen-minutes thing.
But then she was struck by a sudden thought. Brennan had brought her a rose and asked her permission before he spent the afternoon with Kelly. Could she, in good conscience, just take off with Logan—two nights before her date with Brennan—and not say anything? She glanced over at the pink rose still on her nightstand. Pink was such an innocent color, so friendly and delicate, and she realized she couldn’t leave without placing a quick call.
“Hey, Brennan,” she said when he picked up the phone. “How are you?”
And Something Blue (Main Street Merchants Book 1) Page 9