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.In a pair of worn jeans and an oxford-cloth shirt rolled up to the elbows, he looked nothing like the scion of the richest family in town.He looked too casual for that.But he also looked delicious.Goldenly handsome and ready to charm.**What exactly do you want, Logan?" She didn't sound as cranky as she'd like.The fact was, whatever resentment she'd harbored, whatever image she'd created of Logan in her mind over the years since the senior prom, had mostly been put to rest months ago.Once she'd spent a littie time with him as an adult, she'd acknowledged to herself that he wasn't the snob she'd imagined, despite his family's wealth and prominence.The barbs she'd launched his way had been for self-protection.He was still too attractive and she still didn't want to risk succumbing to the feeUng."I need you to go out with me tonight," he said.'"What?" Wait a minute.That was going too far.He shrugged."My father was on the phone, pres-suring me to come by the house on some business thing or another.I needed an excuse to refuse him.I mentioned you.*''**No/ wouldn't work?"'*Hey, so I'm lousy at confrontation." His smile was unapologetic as well as beguiling.**But I'm great at the classic movies double feature at the coffee house."She gestured to the TV, papers, pretzels, soda.'1 have my evening already planned."He took it in with one glance then gave her a look filled with pity.*'And I'm offering you my help again—^you need a more adventurous Friday night than this.Grab whatever you need.If we leave now we'll just make the first show.You can thank me later."*'Don't think I'll fall for that." Elena ahnost smiled, but it wouldn't do for him to know how easily he could persuade her—and how she knew he was right.Her Friday night suddenly seemed pitiful to her, too.**If I say yes, I'll be doing you the favor, remember?"He only smiled again.'Topcom with real butter.Those handmade dark chocolates they sell, the ones with caramel and pecans."It took her two and a half minutes to get ready.It didn't require much effort, since he'd asked her for a favor and not a date.She smoothed on lipstick, but she didn't bother to change out of casual clothes.There wasn't time to arrange a babysitter for the eggs.SO she put them in her tote bag and brought them along.Even quick as she was, the opening credits of the first movie were roUing by the time they made it to Warm-It-Up, Strawberry Bay's newest '*hot spot." Housed in a building that had once been a movie theater, during the day the business operated as a typical coffee house from the original lobby.On weekend evenings, small tables and chairs were set up in the theater portion and the management showed a double feature of old movies.Clutching popcorn, chocolates and drinks, Elena preceded Logan into the darkened theater.Afraid she'd end up on someone's lap if she went any farther, she dropped into a chair at the back of the room.The movie playing was one of her favorites—^the original Sabrina.It reminded Elena of her best friend Annie's romance with Griffin Chase.Annie's mother had been the Chase's housekeeper for years, and Annie had grown up on the estate watching Griffin and Logan from afar.In the movie, Sabrina ended up with the more serious older brother Linus, just as Annie had married Griffin.For the first time, though, Elena focused on the younger brother in the movie, David.An unabashed playboy, David was portrayed as a charming n'er-do-well who cared only about his own pleasure.That wasn't Logan at all.He was charming, oh yes, but she knew him to be a tireless worker.Even after less than a week in the Victorian house, she noticed remarkable changes.Despite the layers built up overthe years, he was slowly but surely uncovering the house's timeless beauty and warmth.When The End appeared on the screen, the theater filled with applause.Elena clapped too, now in such a cheery mood that she couldn't help but smile at Logan once the interior lights came up."Fm glad Fm here," she told him.She hadn't felt this relaxed and carefree in ages and knew it was good for her to leave her worries behind occasionally.**Thank you for inviting me."His hand caught hers as he smiled back.It took her breath—that suave smile partnered with the hard, cal-lused hand.**Thanks for coming.""Well, sure [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]