The Promise of Us (Sanctuary Sound #2) - Jamie Beck Page 0,84
name came up. “I wouldn’t be a very good maid of honor if I made any part of your big day about me, would I?”
“But I know I’ve asked a lot of you, so thank you.” She leaned closer to Claire. “Of course, I half wonder if this change of heart is really for Logan. I couldn’t persuade you to give an inch with Peyton for eighteen months. Logan shows up and”—Steffi snapped her fingers—“you’re moving off center.”
Claire’s shoulders slumped. She hadn’t the energy to mount a defense of her feelings for Logan. Luckily, a new box of chocolate-covered pretzels awaited her at home. It’d last five minutes—ten, tops. “Did I drill you when you and Ryan were figuring things out?”
“Not exactly, but you did ask questions, and you did grill me about the whole police-report incident.” Steffi gestured a “just saying” kind of motion with her hands and a tilt of her head.
Claire frowned, remembering how much confusion and pain Steffi’d been in back then. “I was concerned about you. I wanted you to be well and happy.”
“I feel the exact same way about you.” She pushed her hair behind her ears and sighed. “Just promise me you aren’t expecting Logan to make the kinds of personal changes for you that you’ve attempted for him this past month. As much as he must like you, he’s a charming wanderer who likes his life as it is.”
“I’ve no unrealistic expectations, but thanks for caring.” She hugged Steffi, then eased away with a forced smile. “Now go inside and bake brownies while I go home and eat some.”
Logan wiped his boots on the welcome mat before knocking on Claire’s door. Rain dripped from the edge of the porch roof, its pitter-patter catching his attention because such gentle sounds were rarely noticeable in Manhattan. Senses that had been muted by overstimulation in the city had been reawakening since he’d returned to town.
When her door opened, his evening improved considerably just at the sight of her.
“That was quick,” Claire said, stepping back to let him inside.
He’d called from his car after he’d already started toward her house.
“I thought you’d be eager to see these.” He held up his laptop after slipping off his boots. “The images came out great, if I say so myself.”
“Images?” she asked, looking puzzled.
“The architectural shoots?” He noticed a smear of chocolate at the corner of her mouth. Cupping her jaw, he planted a kiss on that spot and licked it away. Unlike every night this past week, she didn’t melt into his arms. At best, she seemed distracted, at worst, disinterested. “What’s wrong?”
She shook her head and blinked like she was trying to wake herself up. “Nothing. Can I see the pictures?”
“Of course.” He opened his laptop on the coffee table and patted the cushion beside him, brushing off the slight sting of her indifference. “For each location, I narrowed it down to the best dozen images, but then also grouped my three favorites for each location, for what that’s worth.”
He started the slideshow he’d put together and turned the computer screen toward her. A bright, elegant image of the Duvall bathroom filled the screen.
Claire’s lips parted as she flattened her hands on her breastbone. “It’s gorgeous! It almost feels like false advertising.” She clicked through a few more before sparing him a glance. Her expression—a mix of awe and disbelief—filled him up. “I get so lost in the details of a project that I lose sight of the big picture. Is this really what our work looks like to fresh eyes?”
“Pictures don’t lie.” He caressed her back, immediately soothed by the contact, although her attention remained riveted on the screen. Waiting patiently for her to tire of reviewing the photographs proved a true test. “Well? Do you know which you want to use?”
“It’s hard to choose, but I think you’re right. Less is more. I trust your eye and like the groupings you put together. They’ll make the most powerful impact.” She smiled broadly before laying her head on his shoulder. “Thank you for doing this for us. I know you might catch some flak because of it.”
“The benefits have far exceeded any blowback I might get from some peers,” he teased, dipping his head to capture the intriguing view of her ever-changing eyes. “Brace yourself, because this isn’t the only favor I’ve done for you lately.”
She raised her head. “I’m almost afraid to ask . . .”