Page 37 of Anything but Mine

She shrugged. “I had your poster on my wall when I was fifteen. This is fantasy central here, buddy.”

“I’m just a guy, Lindz. No different than the rest.”

“Sure, you keep telling yourself that. Especially considering you’re kissing me when you should be chasing after the one you really want.”

He straightened his shoulders. “No, I shouldn’t.”

“Well, let me reword it. You want to be kissing Bella.”

“Me and Izzy won’t work.”

“Why?”

“Because…” Because he wasn’t the stable boyfriend type. Because it wouldn’t work. Because if she knew just what kind of complications came with him, Izzy would be crossing the street to get away from him. There were so many reasons he could choke on them.

But the biggest one was her.

His gut rolled, but he forced himself to own up to the name. Aimee Collen.

“All those reasons I saw on your face, don’t compete with the fire in your eyes when I say the name Bella.”

He clenched his jaw and schooled his features into the blank mask he’d perfected over the years.

Lindsey propped her hands on her hips. “Izzy.”

His chest constricted, but he didn’t say a damn word.

She pointed her finger at his nose and made little circles. “Flaring nostrils and that muscle tic thing that guys do when they’re frustrated. Oh, and your shoulders are so tense you’re probably getting a headache.”

Logan tipped his head back. “Awesome. Glad I’m so easy to read.”

“Nah, I just know the signs. You have the hots for her and she’s got the hots for you, that’s for damn sure.”

He folded his arms across his chest. When she pealed out a delighted laugh, he sighed. “Not cool, Lindz.”

“Hey, I kissed one of the world’s hottest and most eligible bachelors and he was thinking about another chick. I should have clocked you. Instead I’m going to give you some advice.” She jammed her finger into his chest. “Go after the girl.” When he opened his mouth to object, she wagged that same damn finger at him. “Don’t give me any excuses.”

“It’s not an excuse. It’s a fact.”

“It’s a fact only because you’ve got it in your head that way.”

“If I could change it I would.”

“But it would be okay with me?” She tipped her head, a frown beetling her slim brows. Then they smoothed. “Ah, I get it. Because it would only be a weekend of fun?” She lifted her chin. “What if we’d clicked? Would I be off the list too?”

He didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

She huffed out a breath. “Well, you tell it like it is, now don’t you?”

He swiped his palm down his stubbled neck. He was bungling this, like he’d fucked everything up lately. “I’ve got a security issue.” He swallowed hard and searched her face. “It’s not good.”

Understanding bloomed slowly. “How long?”

“Two years.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Jesus, Logan. How?”

Only another artist knew just how security worked in the life they chose. And being a woman helped. “I’m just lucky, I guess. She’s very well-funded for a stalker and it’s a very long story.”

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