not, those thoughts were always lurking inside.
Logan opened the door and climbed in, handing her a bottle of cold water. “Tell Kara I said hi.”
Ellery clamped her jaw shut to keep her mouth from dropping open. “How did you know this was Kara on the phone?”
His mouth curved in an impish grin. “Because you look almost as irritated as when you first found out you were going to Houston.”
“I’ll talk to you later,” Ellery told Kara, “if I decide I’m still speaking to you.”
Kara’s laughter rang in Ellery’s ear as she ended the call.
“Don’t be too hard on her.” Logan pulled onto the highway feeder road. “I can be very persuasive if I don’t have to talk to people in person.”
“And offensive when you do.” Ellery twisted off the top on her water and took a long drink.
He grimaced. “I deserved that, I suppose. I tend to be blunt.”
Ellery tensed as he steered the car onto the highway, merging with the traffic. At least he was a decent driver.
“You can get away with that if you’re rich. Most people will put up with a lot for money. I suppose you’re used to getting whatever you want.”
His smile disappeared. “Not at all. I can get anything money can buy, but not what I really want.”
“What on earth could that be?” She took another drink.
“It’s not a what…it’s a who. Her name is Allegra.” His hands tightened on the steering wheel, and she could see the muscles working in his throat. “I don’t know why I’m telling you this.”
“It’s the scar. Everyone does it.”
“What are you talking about?” His gaze darted her direction, probably to see if she was joking.
“It never happened before, but ever since the accident, people spill their guts all the time. Complete strangers tell me their life histories. I guess my scar makes me seem safer or more empathetic. I don’t know what it is, but after two years, I’m used to it.”
“Guess it worked on me.” His fingers drummed on the steering wheel. “I asked her to marry me five years ago, and she turned me down. I’m hoping when she sees me at the wedding, she’ll…I don’t know…regret her decision…want me back…or something.”
Ellery sucked in a surprised breath. “You’re planning to break up her wedding?”
“No, it’s her sister’s wedding. Allegra’s still single.” The muscles bulged along his jaw, accented with a few days’ growth of beard. “I know from my mother’s gossip Allegra’s had quite a few boyfriends, but never married. She never gave me another chance, though.”
“Maybe you’re just not her type.”
“If I knew what she wanted, I could change.”
“You can’t change yourself to be her type,” Ellery said. “Maybe she’s intimidated by you. Maybe she doesn’t want to compete with a smokin’ hot billionaire.”
“You think I’m hot?”
Sizzling was more like it.
“I think you’re fishing for compliments.”
“No, seriously…I was kind of pudgy back then, and I thought that might’ve been the problem with Allegra. But I’ve worked out every day for the past five years. Maybe she’ll notice I’ve improved.”
It was weird to think a guy that good-looking would be insecure about his appearance. She wanted to tell him Allegra wasn’t worth it if she was that shallow. But it really wasn’t her business. He’d look a lot better if he got his hair cut, but that wasn’t her business, either.
“I wouldn’t worry about it. I think she’ll notice.” Unless she’s blind.
His jaw flexed. “I hope you’re right.”
What would it be like to have someone love you so much, they were willing to change everything about themselves to please you? Not that she would want someone to do that for her, but it would be nice if anyone cared that much.
“She must be pretty special for you to go to that much trouble on the slim chance she might change her mind someday.”
“She is special. She’s gorgeous. Flawless.”
The opposite of me.
“You need more than physical attraction to build a relationship. What’s she like on the inside?”
“She’s smart. Sophisticated. We grew up next door to each other. She was part of the in-crowd, but I was a dorky nerd. Still, she always hung out with me, even when her friends made fun of her for it.”
They rounded a curve in the highway, and the red tail lights thickened, brake lights flashing warnings in every lane. In her chest, her heart thumped, gaining speed. He must’ve sensed her tension, because the conversation stopped.
“It’s always like this close to the Galleria.” His anxiety mirrored hers. “It won’t last