Page 48 of An Heir For Her Enemy

Delaney’s eye was drawn to the dress again and again as she ate her lunch, then put on her shoes for a brisk neighborhood walk. It caught her eye again when she returned, and she sighed. After tomorrow, she would be in Rome, thousands of miles from Logan. Maybe, just maybe, she could find out what this unveiling was all about, then move on with a clear mind.

Decisively, Delaney stripped off her exercise clothes and headed into the bathroom for a shower. She washed and curled her hair, applied her best subtle makeup, and slipped into the cream-colored dress. After a little hesitation, she added a small jacket against the chill outside and chose a pair of sensible flats. They weren’t her nicest shoes, but she hadn’t packed them yet, and she didn’t want to turn her ankle while pregnant.

In the mirror, Delaney looked every bit the confident art consultant she’d always been. She smiled at her reflection. This was her last night in New York City. She might as well try to make it count.

CHAPTER 21

LOGAN

“Welcome to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.” The young curator Logan had been working with gestured Logan into the museum’s grand entrance. He wore a suit and an expression of great enthusiasm — he’d told Logan that helping secure this donation would make his career in the museum.

“Thank you, Patrick.” Logan smiled at the curator. “It’s a pleasure to be here.”

“The event doesn’t start for another hour,” Patrick assured him as they crossed the entryway towards the coat check. “So, you’ll have plenty of time to scope everything out before we get started.”

“Wonderful.” In truth, Logan wasn’t all that interested in scoping anything out. He’d been invited to help plan the unveiling and had accepted the offer, since it gave him some say over the guest list. Yet he’d had little more interest in planning this event than he had in planning his own event several weeks prior. Donating the painting had been important, and tonightwas important, too, but not for the reasons Patrick probably thought.

Logan left his jacket at the coat check and followed Patrick into a large exhibit room. The walls were lined with paintings, some more famous than others, and Logan was embarrassed to admit that he only recognized a handful. In the center of the room stood a display covered in a white gossamer cloth.

“There it is,” Patrick said, enthusiasm palpable in his voice. “TheCherished Infant.”

Logan wasn’t sure what he was supposed to say — a display covered in a white sheet was a display covered in a white sheet, no matter how nicely it had been organized. But Patrick was clearly excited, so Logan made a show of walking around the display, examining it closely, and nodding appreciatively.

“This looks great. Well done.”

“Thank you, Mr. Banks.”

“For the hundredth time, please, call me Logan.”

“Will do.” Patrick grinned, and Logan knew that he wasn’t planning on calling him Logan, ever.

“So, remind me again, when will the guests start to arrive?”

“Around seven,” Patrick told him. “Some a little earlier, of course.”

“And of those you sent the invitations to, do you know who’s coming?”

“No. We don’t require RSVPs for events like this.”

Logan really, really wished they did, but he didn’t say so. “All right.”

“Is there anyone specific you’re hoping to see?” Patrick asked.

“There’s a woman who might come.”

“Someone special? If you tell me her name, maybe I can help. Some people did confirm whether they’ll be coming or not, even though we don’t require it.”

“I’m wondering about Delaney Cohen.”

“Let me see.” Patrick tapped a tablet tucked into the crook of his arm, then shook his head. “She hasn’t confirmed either way. Sorry.”

“No problem.” Logan smiled. “I’ll just take a moment to walk around, if that’s all right.”

“Of course. I’ll see you around seven.”

Logan nodded a goodbye to Patrick, then set off on a round of the museum. He was far too restless to just sit and wait. What if Delaney didn’t come? What if she came but wasn’t willing to hear him out? What if she forgave him but didn’t want to be with him?

Logan took a deep breath, as he’d seen Delaney do before. It was no use worrying. She would come, or she wouldn’t. She’d forgive him, or she wouldn’t. His concerns wouldn’t change anything.

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