Page 17 of Knockin' on Heaven’s Noir

“Our turn?”

“You have to know I’m crazy about you, Phoebe.” Logan smiles. “I know we’ve only known each other for a few days and you have some reservations, but I’m sure enough for the both of us right now.”

“Logan…”

“Don’t say anything. It’s okay.” He grabs my hand and starts leading me over to the food. “Let’s get something to eat. I know you must be starving.”

“You aren’t going to say anything about my sister’s announcement?”

“Oh, the baby? That’s amazing. Are you excited to be an aunt?”

I hadn’t even thought about being an aunt. My mind is so confused. I’m the worst sister ever, so wrapped up in my stuff I didn’t even really process that my big sister is going to be a mom.

“I meant Maggie’s announcement…” I distractedly answer, looking for Rosie. She’s not here anymore and neither is Alex.

“Phoebe?”

“I need to go.”

I walk away from him while he’s calling my name.

Chapter Eleven

Logan

I spent the night outside of Phoebe’s room, but she never came. How she managed to avoid me when we were in the same building I’ll never know —unless she left.

I jump up and text Alex asking if the sisters are still here.

He answers that he is dealing with something and would try to get back to me soon, but that things had changed for today. The winery would still be paid, but the wedding was no longer being held here.

What the fuck.

I run to my office and call every contact number I have. Every one of them goes to voicemail and I’m about to start pulling my hair out when my office door opens and the twins walk in with an envelope.

“We were supposed to wait until noon to give you this, but we don’t want to hold it anymore.”

They’ve been crying.

“What’s wrong? What’s going on here?”

“Phoebe left. Everyone left. I think that letter explains it. We don’t know what happened, but everyone was really mad. Phoebe promised that she wasn’t mad at us or you, but that she had to go anyway,” Ruby says.

“I asked when she would be back, but she didn’t answer. I don’t think she thought she would be coming back.” Tears flow down June’s face.

“It’s going to be okay, girls. I’ll figure it out. Let me read the letter and find out what happened,” I say with all the confidence I can muster. “I’ll come tell you if I figure out anything. I promise not to keep you in the dark.”

They both nod and hold hands as they leave the room. I haven’t seen them do that since they were little.

I sit and open the letter.

Logan,

I’m sorry for leaving this way. Things are always complicated and I know better than to expect them to be easy. Maggie went to find the photographer you hired and she was selling the story of Rosie’s pregnancy announcement and the photos. When Alex went to find the documents she had signed, they were gone. We don’t have a legal leg to stand on. It’s not your fault at all. No one is upset with you. This woman is the problem and she will be dealt with in some way. Alex is having people look into her to see if there is something we can do, but the story is out there along with pictures. We did manage to get any photos with you and the twins removed. I didn’t want you to be swept up in our mess. I’m so sorry for how this ended. Please don’t come looking for me or try to contact me. It’s better for all of us if we just pretend it didn’t happen.

Forever grateful,

Phoebe

---