heard it a billion times. It’s why she’d made herself a content life here at home. Yet . . . if she hadn’t gone there today, she’d never have been inside Logan’s apartment. Or walked streets filled with people from all over the world. Or enjoyed that amazeballs dessert. Most of all, she wouldn’t have been kissed by Logan Prescott.
A real kiss. One that had resonated throughout her entire body.
Sensations she could reexperience if she were willing to get hurt—again—which no doubt she would. And yet his plea made her wonder if maybe . . . maybe it would be worth trying to be “fluid” and not get hung up on labels for whatever she and Logan felt for each other. Maybe a few extraordinary moments were worth whatever regrets might come later.
“So you really won’t join Dad and me for dinner?” her mom asked, breaking Claire’s reverie.
“Not tonight. I want to dig into Logan’s design plan while my ideas and memory are fresh.”
Her mom patted her shoulder. “I’m so proud of how hard you work on this brave new venture, honey.” She zipped up her jacket, looking a bit like a navy-blue Michelin Man. “By the way, I’d let myself in before you showed up. I left you a slice of Grammy’s cake on the counter.”
“Thanks.” She’d need more chocolate if she kept thinking about kissing Logan.
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” After a quick kiss on the cheek, her mom took off.
Alone, finally.
After a hot bath to ease her achy hip, Claire pulled on pajamas, grabbed the chocolate cake, and sat at the dining room table with her laptop and notebook.
Whether or not she got out those body paints with Logan, they’d never have a lifelong love affair. But she would give him something to remember her by—a home he could return to that offered comfort and a style befitting him.
A few hours later, after she’d narrowed down her search to a few sofa styles, chairs, and carpets, her phone rang. “Hey, Steffi. What’s up?”
“Guess who I bumped into today?”
At this point in Claire’s day, her brain lacked the capacity to play twenty questions. “No idea.”
“Mrs. Brewster. We were both getting gas. When she saw me, she mentioned the pitch materials you left for her to consider.”
“Oh.” Claire slapped her forehead. She’d had so much else on her mind she’d forgotten to follow up on that. “Was she upset about being pressured?”
“No. She actually enjoyed looking at it without us staring at her. It gave her time to mull it over. She loved what you worked up and is planning to call you. Congrats, partner. You just got us another project. Pretty soon I’m going to feel like I’m not pulling my weight.”
“Oh, you pull your weight. I can’t do what you do.” Another project put them one step closer to renting retail space.
“Well, I just thought you’d like to know.” A happy sigh blew through the line. “Any luck getting unstuck on Logan’s design?”
“Actually, yes. I visited his place today, and it cleared the cobwebs.”
Claire envisioned Steffi’s mouth gaping then.
“You went to the city?” Steffi finally asked, her voice high.
“It started off rocky, but I survived.” And earned a kiss for the effort, she thought, smiling.
“I’m speechless. Happy, but speechless. Good on Logan.”
“Let’s not make a big deal of it.” Although it had been a big deal in more ways than one.
“Kinda hard not to. I’ve begged you to do things with me for years, and you always say no. Obviously, Logan has a magic power I don’t possess.” The saucy sound in Steffi’s voice set off alarm bells.
She couldn’t allow Steffi to start up rumors. “The magic power of a fat commission check. Very motivating.”
“Mm-hmm.” Her tone suggested she knew better. “In other news, Ryan’s folks are watching Emmy on Saturday. Any interest in joining us on our night out?”
Claire hated being a third wheel. “Would Ben come?”
“Possibly, but maybe you’d rather I invite Logan,” she teased.
“Stop it. He’s a friend and client.” Fresh tingles bloomed from remembering their kiss.
“Fine. I’ll check with Benny. Can I count you in?”
Claire shrugged. No reason to be a hermit. “Sure.”
“Okay, Lucia’s. Seven thirty. Do you want us to pick you up?”
“No. I’ll meet you there.” They hung up and Claire looked at the ceiling, telling herself she was not sorry about spending her Saturday night with Steffi, Ryan, and Ben instead of Logan.
“Where were you all day?” Peyton asked Logan when he strolled in through the back entry.
He hung his