Page 57 of Healing Hearts at the Christmas Inn
But as they stepped into the hallway, Logan's hand slid down to catch Charlie's, intending to lead her away quickly before things got heated in the office.
The moment their hands connected, Logan froze.
Electricity shot up his arm, sharp and undeniable. His breath caught. Charlie's eyes went wide, her fingers tightening around his instinctively.
They stood there for barely a second before both pulling back like they'd been burned.
"I should—" Logan started.
"Yes, I need to—" Charlie talked over him.
"Research. You said research." Logan's hand was still tingling.
"Right. Yes. Research." Charlie fumbled with the envelope, nearly dropping it. "And you have... whatever you have to do."
“Things… I have things,” Logan blundered.
“Yes, right, things,” Charlie agreed, “Those are important.”
From inside the office, Jack's voice rose. They both flinched.
They stood there, still too close, both buzzing from that electric touch, fumbling for words.
"Okay, well, bye for now," Charlie said, her voice slightly breathless.
"Bye," Logan replied.
And then they both leaned in—that automatic goodbye gesture, pure instinct, and frazzled nerves.
Their lips met. Brief, electric, and completely unplanned.
The spark between them jolted them apart, their eyes wide.
"Uh... well... uh. See you," Charlie managed, stepping past him quickly, her face flushed, her heels clicking as she hurried away.
"Yes, later..." Logan stammered, equally flustered.
He started walking, his steps hurried and his mind spinning, barely paying attention to where he was going. It wasn't until he'd made it several steps that he realized he was heading toward the stairs to the guest suites in the completely wrong direction.
Logan stopped, closed his eyes, and cursed himself beneath his breath. "Idiot."
He turned around and saw that Charlie had made the same mistake. She stood frozen at the entrance to the family house hallway, her cheeks bright red, clearly realizing she'd gone the wrong way too.
Their eyes met across the distance. She pursed her lips and gave him a tight smile. He nodded as they walked toward each other. This time, they gave each other a wide berth, nodding awkwardly as they rushed past each other in their correct directions.
Logan was nearly to the door that led to the Christmas family house, his hand already reaching for the handle, when Julie's voice stopped him.
"Oh, Logan."
He turned. Julie stood behind the front desk, a knowing look in her eyes that made his stomach drop.How much had she seen?Logan wondered if she had seen what just happened; he’d neverhear the end of it if she had. But his embarrassment was soon forgotten as Julie uttered her next words.
"I just got a call from a Tara Wellington looking for you," Julie said, her tone carefully neutral. "She said to tell you if you don't answer your messages, she'll have to come here in person."
His heart froze in his chest.Great. Just great. That's all I need.
"Thanks for the message," Logan said, forcing his voice to sound normal.
Julie's curiosity was practically radiating from her, but Logan ignored it, quickly pushing through the door into the family house and letting it close behind him.
