Page 87 of Until the Sea Runs Dry

“Are you serious? She’s lovely.”

“I’m sure she is, but how do you know she’s not after something?”

“Because she knows the situation. She knows I don’t have anything.”

“You told her about me?”

His concern was starting to make sense. “No. I didn’t tell her you were you — I’m not that stupid. I told her you were a successful businessman.”

“But that doesn’t mean anything. You said I was successful. And you’d spent a decent amount of cash at her store…”

She laughed, not quite believing what was happening here. “Clare is a good soul, Logan. I know you’ve been out here a long time, but there are still decent people in the world.”

“I think I’d like to decide that for myself.”

There wasn’t anything he could have said that would have shocked her more.

“You want to meet her?”

“Yes.”

“But…”

“I’ll drive you myself. If we leave now we should get there before the traffic hits. Come on.”

* * *

Less than an hour later,they were parked outside the polished frosted glass windows of the imposing three-storey high building where two white columns held up the entrance.

Jane sat in Logan’s Rolls Royce, safely behind the blacked-out windows that covered all of his cars. They had left Loki at home since this — she had been assured — would only be a short trip, as he too, had things to ready before the ball that night.

“This is ridiculous. I’m a grown woman. I don’t need you to vet who I spend time with.”

Wearing those ever-present Ray-Bans, Logan continued his inspection of the faces that passed outside.

“Be that as it may, this is happening.”

There was a stubborn tilt to his chin that she hadn’t noticed until now. Clearly, despite how ridiculous this was, nothing would dissuade him from this exercise. Among the sea of sharply dressed shoppers whose wealth shone from the glinting rings and watches that adorned their bodies, one woman stood out from the crowd.

Even from inside the car, that warmth that seeped out of her made Jane smile. She hadn’t known how nice it would be to see a friendly face.

“There she is! Clare!”

Jane left the car and waved. Logan’s head craned round to the woman.

On first inspection, she seemed pretty normal.

She had a good figure beneath the white blouse and jeans she wore, but chose not to be flashy about it. She wore flats on her feet. No jewelry on her hands that held onto an oversized Boho bag. She did seem nice — and out of place on Rodeo Drive. But if Logan knew anything about this town, it was that looks could be deceiving.

Clare went up to Jane and gave her a warm hug. “It’s so good to see you again, Jane. You look fantastic.”

Jane glanced down at the simple gypsy dress she had chosen before she had known about this shopping trip.

“Thanks. You too.”

Clare laughed, a self-conscious smile on her lips. “I probably should have made a bigger effort considering where we are, but I ran out of time, so they’ll just have to take me as I am. Hopefully, they won’t throw me out of the shop.”

“You look perfect. And if they’re going to be jerks about it, they can toss me out too.”

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