Page 88 of Paging Dr. Summers

“Perfect. Let me show you some pieces I think will match and round out your great room space. And then we can move on to dining room furniture.” Dante’s brown eyes lit up with dollar signs. Judging by the price of the furniture we’d seen, I was sure he was looking at a nice commission check.

“Follow me.” Dante clapped his hands.

This was all so surreal for me, and yet it felt real and honest being there with Logan, living life with him. Sure, the price tag by the time we left gave me major sticker shock. Logan had spent more on furniture than I made in a year as a DJ.

I didn’t mention it as we walked out of the store hand in hand into the warm evening air, out onto Main Street, which felt a lot like stepping into a Hallmark movie. Charming storefronts, each adorned with large windows, lined the street, some displaying artisanal goods, others expensive clothing or posh advertisements. Flower boxes overflowed with vibrant blooms, their petals spilling out onto the sidewalks.

“Where do you want to eat dinner?” he asked.

“You know I’m terrible at picking.”

“I do know that about you.” Logan chuckled, throwing on his shades in James Spader fashion. “It’s part of your charm. We could walk down to Moon Café and order everything off their menu,” he suggested.

Someone needed to pass me the smelling salts. This man. I gazed up at him adoringly, because did I ever adore him. “That might be the most attractive thing you have ever said to me.”

Before Logan could respond, I happened to briefly glance forward, only to find Maxwell Harrington walking out of a brick office building, dressed in a suit like he’d come from a business meeting.

I gripped Logan’s hand and stopped, jarring us both.

Maxwell’s gaze seemed to instinctively land on me. “Brooke,” he breathed out.

Logan tugged me closer, steadying me. I wasn’t ready for this encounter. Honestly, I didn’t think I was ever going to be. Maybe it was better that it had happened spontaneously and in the wild, like a bear encounter. The question was, would the bear attack or run away?

Maxwell’s flushed, slack expression seemed to indicate that he hadn’t been prepared for the run-in either.

A few shoppers passed by, eyeing us, probably wondering about the intense staring contest. Or perhaps they knew. The rumors and whispers had already started to fly. Lola hadn’t exactly been quiet since she’d discovered I was her sister. The onlookers propelled Maxwell to take a few steps in our direction. He probably didn’t want to make a scene.

“Are you okay?” Logan whispered.

The honest answer was that I didn’t know, but without thinking, I nodded.

As Maxwell approached, I noticed his face appeared thinner and void of its previous tan. From what Lola had said, I knew things weren’t exactly peachy keen at the Harrington residence. According to her, Camila and Maxwell weren’t even sharing a bedroom, and there was a lot of silence.

“Hello.” Maxwell swallowed hard, making his Adam’s apple bob repeatedly.

“Hi,” I croaked, my mouth suddenly dry.

“I’ve been hoping for the opportunity to see you.”

My eyes narrowed. I didn’t believe him for one second.

Maxwell picked up on my visual cue. “I can understand why you might doubt that.” He blew out a large breath. “Hell, I’m terrible at this. Please, I would really like to talk to you.”

His eyes flickered to Logan, whose expression said,Tread carefully, you bastard.That was his favorite description of Maxwell and basically all he called him unless Sophie was around.

“Of course, you’re welcome to be part of the conversation.”

“You’re damn right I will be,” Logan spewed.

Seriously, I was no damsel in distress, but dang it if I didn’t love his protective,don’t mess with herside.

Maxwell’s response surprised me—he smiled as if he appreciated Logan’s attitude. Weird.

Maxwell shifted his attention back to me. “Can I take you to dinner?”

I rubbed my lips together, mulling the request over. I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to eat. My stomach was twisted in knots. But I knew eventually I was going to have to face him, especially if I stayed in Aspen Lake. Assuming I could afford to. I was still working that out. Even apartments on the “other side” of the lake were expensive. And it wasn’t like they had a bustling radio market.

Then there was Lola to consider in all of this. Someday there would be events that required both Maxwell and me to be present, like her wedding, which I had a feeling would probably be sooner rather than later. She and Alejandro seemed to be heading more in that direction.

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