Page 88 of Until the Sea Runs Dry

A shadow fell over the two of them as Logan approached. Jane flinched inwardly, hoping he wasn’t going to do anything that would upset her new friend.

“Hi there, I gather you’re Clare?”

Completely unaware, Clare turned to him with a smile. “Yes. You must be the businessman Jane mentioned…”

Her voice trailed off, her eyes turning very wide. “Has anyone told you you’re the spitting image of that action star, Logan Steel?”

Jane could feel her cheeks turning hot. Clearing her throat, she smiled apologetically. “That’s because it actually is Logan.”

Right on cue, Logan flashed that mega wattage smile of his, taking Clare’s hand in his. “Good to meet you.”

Clare allowed him to shake it, swapping gazes between the two of them. “I’m not sure what’s going on here?”

“I just thought I’d come and meet this new friend Jane has told me about. So, I hear you work in Nordstrom?”

“Yes.” She laughed. “Not very glamorous compared to you, I’m sure, but I like it.”

“I take it you live in the city, then?”

“Born and raised.” She smiled at them both, surprised by the interest he was showing in her.

“What area?”

“Nowhere as nice as you, I’m guessing.”

Logan slipped off his sunglasses but didn’t reply. Clare started to feel uncomfortable under his intense scrutiny.

“Palms, West LA.”

“And do you live there on your own?” Logan asked with such directness that Jane winced. If it wasn’t for the scene it would cause — and no doubt, the subsequent publicity issues — she would have told him to get lost. This kind of macho whatever-this-was, wasn’t welcome.

Clare blinked up at him, those green eyes of her cloudy with confusion. “I don’t see what my relationship status has to do with anything?”

Clare turned to Jane to see if she could shed some light.

“Given everything that Jane has gone through, I’d just like to know who she’s spending the day with,” Logan replied.

Embarrassed, Jane gave Clare an apologetic look.

“Well, if you must know, I’m not dating. Haven’t dated in two years now, not since my fiancé cheated on me with one of his groupies.”

Jane gasped, a hand flying to her throat. “I’m so sorry, Clare. How awful.”

Catching the doubtful expression on Logan’s face, Clare’s eyes lost some of their softness.

“We were high school sweethearts. Artists, both of us, but we couldn’t both go after a career as a painter — one of us needed to pay the bills — so he decided that I should get a job to support his career… and like a fool, I agreed. As soon as he became successful, he didn’t want me anymore. That’s pretty much all there is to know about me. Happy now or do you want my social security number, too?”

That question was directed at Logan. He stared down at her, the two of them facing off, until the corners of his mouth began to twitch.

“I apologize for my rudeness. I just wanted to be sure you weren’t a serial killer. I’ll leave you to it.”

He strolled back to the car leisurely, stopping twice for selfies and an autograph, as the two women looked on.

“The man is impossible,” Jane spluttered. “I told him it wasn’t necessary to vet you, but he’s as stubborn as a mule. I’m so sorry. I completely understand if you want to call this off.”

Clare waved a bronzed hand at her, a twinkle in her eyes. “Don’t you dare! This is the most excitement I’ve had in a long time.”

“You’re not insulted?”

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