Page 22 of Misfortune and Mr. Right

“You haven’t said a word.”

“I don’t always talk.”

I look at her with an eyebrow cocked.

“Okay. I like to talk. And, yes, there’s something wrong. It’s Mark. He called this weekend and said he’s considering renegotiating our custody arrangements.”

Mark is my sister’s ex-husband. Her daughter, Cassidy, only sees him every other weekend, based on the fact that the demise of my sister’s marriage was entirely Mark’s doing. He doesn’t really ever want custody, but he regularly tosses out the option of taking Lynette back to court in an attempt to remind everyone he could make things difficult if he really wanted to. Even though we know he’s bluffing, there’s always this possibility that one day he’ll actually mean it.

“He’s got me over a barrel. I still have student loans, and he doesn’t report the majority of his income, so his child support payments barely cover a quarter of our actual expenses. If I want to work, I have to pay for childcare after school until my day ends. Childcare costs money, even if I use the after-care option at Cassidy’s school.”

I’m about to answer my sister when two men enter the courtyard.

So much for Megan’s positive thinking. Not only does it look like I’ll see Logan around the complex, it turns out sometimes I’ll even see him twice in one day.

Logan’s walking toward us with a man I instantly recognize—Gil, Logan’s best friend since elementary school. And Logan’s walking an adorable dog.

If I didn’t know Logan and what he’s really like, the whole scene would be appealing—two good looking men with a Boston terrier, walking in a stone courtyard near a pool, laughing and smiling at one another. It’s the kind of image that could sell any product you want to market.

Only, I’m not buying.

“Lynette?” Gil says. “Hey.” Then he looks at me and smiles warmly.

Lynette bends over and reaches for the dog, who stretches to the end of his leash to accommodate her. She starts scratching him behind the ears, and his entire backside wiggles in appreciation.

“Aren’t you a cutie pie?” Lynette coos to the dog.

Gil looks at me. “Olivia! Wow. It’s been a while. You look great. Logan was just telling me you two are neighbors. What are the odds?”

“You’re what?” Lynette asks, looking up from the dog and glancing between Logan and me.

“Neighbors,” I supply, staring at Logan since he’s staring at me. “Logan moved into Gran’s old apartment.”

“What?” Lynette looks at Logan. “You’re in 2B?”

“I am.”

Logan’s tone is austere and distant, as if he knows he won yet another contest—and this time without even exerting himself.

Lynette gives me a wide-eyed look. I keep my face neutral.

“So,” Gil says to Lynette, “Bethany told me you’re Sam’s teacher this year.”

Bethany is Gil’s sister, so Sam must be Gil’s nephew.

Lynette lights up. “I love Sam. He’s such a sweetheart.”

Gil smiles warmly. “I’m biased, but yeah. He’s a good kid. Bethany says you’re amazing.”

Lynette blushes. “I don’t know if I’m amazing. I just love my job. And the kids. Tell Bethany thanks. I needed that vote of confidence today.”

“Well, if you ever need anything …” Gil drifts off.

He and Logan exchange a look. How much of our conversation did they overhear? The acoustics in here are pretty phenomenal. I bet they caught a good chunk of what Lynette was telling me about Mark.

Logan looks as impassive as the stone walls surrounding us. Is he actually judging my sister? I don’t want to think the worst of him. He’s just so hard to read.

“I mean,” Gil says, obviously backpedaling. “If you ever need anything in your classroom or … whatever … just let Bethany know. I’m sure teachers don’t get the support they deserve for all they do. So, as Sam’s uncle, just know Maisy and I are here for you if you ever need anything.”

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