Page 7 of Knockin' on Heaven’s Noir

“Yes, there is a room included.”

“I can be there in about two hours. Is that okay?”

“Sounds good. I’ll have the paperwork for you to sign in my office and then I’ll introduce you to the client. Thank you, Sherry.”

“Can’t wait to see you, Logan.”

I hang up and sit back in my chair. I knew in calling her that I would have to put up with the flirting, but she’s a damn good photographer. Her photos have been in lots of different publications and she’s had a few shows. She also happens to be my high school girlfriend who has always made it known that she wants to rekindle that flame.

I need to find Phoebe and tell her I found a photographer. I look at the clock. It’s already after two in the afternoon. Phoebe and Maggie were meeting with my sisters to help with make-up and hair tips this afternoon. I should wait until they are done, but I don’t want to wait any longer to see her know that I have a reason to.

Knocking on her door, I can hear the laughter through the thick wood. It takes a while before anyone answers and it’s not Phoebe but Maggie that opens the door.

“Hi, Mr. Gibson,” the youngest Stone sister says.

“Logan, please.” I smile at her. She’s like a pocket-sized version of Rosie and Phoebe put together. It’s almost uncanny how she looks like both sisters even though they don’t look that much alike.

“Logan. Do you need the girls?” She asks with a smirk.

“Um, no. I need to talk to Phoebe. If it’s okay?”

Why do I feel like I’m a teenager asking permission?

“I’ll be right back,” Maggie says over her shoulder. She walks out into the hall and pulls the door almost closed. “I need to tell you something.”

“Is everything okay?”

“I don’t like to meddle in my sister’s love life, but I feel like there’s something you need to know.” Maggie looks behind her to make sure the door is still shut. “Phoebe had a really bad boyfriend and is still unsure about herself. She’s not going to be easy.”

“It’s that asshole, right?” I ask, clenching my fists. I wish he had shown up here. I would have been able to kick his ass.

“Yes. I’m only telling you this because I think she likes you and from what your sisters told me you like her.”

“Little gossips.”

“My kind of girls,” Maggie laughs. “Phoebes too. She’s instantly bonded with them, which is rare. Phoebe is usually nice, but the cynical one of the three of us. Rosie is a kind-hearted one. Phoebe wouldn’t be rude to fans, but she wouldn’t be giving make-up lessons to two pre-teens who need to learn that less is more.”

I groan. “I know. I just didn’t know the right way to approach it without hurting their self-esteem or feelings.”

“Phoebe’s on it. She’s showing them how you do it for photos and that it’s a good everyday look too. There’s hardly anything on their faces.” Maggie smiles. “What I’m trying to say is please be patient with my sister. This could be something special if you want it to be, but she’s going to take time.”

“I’ll do whatever I need to do.”

The door opens and Phoebe sticks her head out. “Logan?”

“Hey, baby. I need to talk to you about the photographer.”

Her face goes red at the endearment, but she doesn’t tell me to not call her that. It’s a win in my book.

Maggie gives me a thumbs up behind her sister’s back, causing me to laugh and try to cover it with a cough. Phoebe narrows her eyes at me but doesn’t say anything. The door to her room softly shuts and we’re alone.

Before Phoebe can put up a wall between us or we talk about the photographer situation, I pull her into my arms and gently place my lips on hers. For a few moments I think she’s going to pull away, but then she puts her arms around my neck and begins kissing me back. Her tongue dances with mine.

I lift her into my arms, my hands on the round globes of her bottom and she instinctively wraps her legs around my waist. I push her back up against the wall and kiss down her throat.

“Logan,” she moans. “We need to stop.”

“Don’t want to.”

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