Page 10 of Misfortune and Mr. Right

“No.”

“They’re selling the building?”

“I didn’t mean for you to actually guess. I’ll tell you.”

“Oh. Okay. But I like guessing. It’s fun.”

“I know. You’ll never guess this. It’s not good.”

“Well, from your tone of voice, you’d think Logan Alexander showed up at your workplace, and we all know that didn’t happen since he’s successfully climbing his way up to the pinnacle of marketing grandeur in Boston. He’d have no reason to come back to Serendipity Springs.”

“Right, well … wait. How did you guess?”

“What? Wait. What? Are you serious? No. You’re joking!” Megan has a half-laugh in her tone. And she’s shouting.

“I wish I were,” I lament. “How on earth did you guess?”

“I don’t know. There’s this particular note of doom in your voice that basically only shows up when he’s involved. I thought I was stabbing in the dark.”

“Why should you have to stab in the dark when he’ll be stabbing in broad daylight in no time?”

Megan’s words ring through my head like a repeating gong.He’d have no reason to return to Serendipity Springs. She’s right. Logan has no reason. Unless he does. For one split second, I worry. Are his parents okay? Something must be wrong. He’s been doing great in Boston. Coming home is the equivalent of a step down the ladder—something Logan never does. I almost feel concerned for him.No. I’m sure Logan’s fine. He had that trademark smug look on his face the whole time Darwin was regaling his triumphant entry.

I’m not concerned. There’s never reason for concern where Logan’s involved. I’m just curious. Very, very curious.

Why is Logan back here, and what will happen now that he is?

Chapter Four

Logan

To be great is to be misunderstood.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Olivia still hates me.”

I glance across the dinner table at Gil.

Rhett is curled at my feet, even though we officially moved into my new apartment yesterday. I started work Monday, moved into my new place Tuesday, and now I’m here sharing a dinner with Gil and Maisy after my third day at Barnes—where Olivia Pennington has been working for years.

How did I not know this?

There I was, being introduced to the team on my first day. Darwin was raving about me, which, to be honest, made me feel a little uncomfortable. I scanned the room, familiarizing myself with my new coworkers. And there she was—looking better than I remembered. Well, except for the scowl marks in her forehead and the glare in her gaze when she saw me. I stopped focusing on Darwin and his recitation of my achievements. All I could see was Olivia—and the fact that she definitely was not thrilled by my arrival.

“Olivia has reason to hate you,” Gil says nonchalantly.

Rhett snorts from under the table. Maisy insisted I bring my dog with me tonight so he wouldn’t have to stay in my new apartment alone after a day of solitude—apart from the two visits from the dog walker I hired. I rub my sock-clad foot on his tummy to thank him for his vote of confidence.

“What? Why would she have reason to hate me?”

Maisy looks between Gil and me like a woman watching a match at Wimbledon.

“You’re kidding, right?” Gil asks.

I stare at my best friend. I’m at a loss. And I’m dying to hear what he thinks. Maybe his insight is the key to unlocking the silent scorn I have been subjected to for years.

I keep staring. Gil just shakes his head.

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