Her eyes danced with the smile she was hiding behind her hand. “Sorry,” she said as she grabbed a nearby napkin and wiped her mouth. “I couldn’t wait.”
Logan shrugged. “Nope, I get it.” He took a huge bite of his doughnut.
They sat in silence until they were finished. Logan wiped his fingers and lips.
Hannah glanced around. “I’m going to go to the bathroom, and then we can head out.”
He nodded. “Sounds good.”
“Watch my stuff?” she asked as she motioned to her wallet and phone.
“Sure.” He pulled it close to him.
Hannah pushed her chair back and headed to the bathroom.
Logan leaned back and folded his arms. As much as he wanted to tell himself that his stomach was in knots from the sugar in the pastry, he knew that wasn’t the case. He leaned his elbows on the tabletop and bowed his head. He needed to get a grip.
The table began to vibrate. Then a blaring song sounded as Hannah’s phone lit up. Logan grabbed it. Half the occupants milling around the shop stopped to stare at him. His face heated as he gave them a sheepish grin. Why was her phone so loud?
He swiped the screen, desperate to get the loud, twangy country song to quit. The image of a guy in a suit greeted him. Logan stared at it. Next to his image was a text. As much as he tried not to read it, he couldn’t help himself.
Just wondering where you are and if you’ve thought about my proposal. I love you and can’t wait until you’re Mrs. Samson Price. Call me when you get this.
Logan swallowed as he located the volume button on the side of the phone and turned the ringer to vibrate. He hit the power button and the image of Samson and his declaration of love faded into darkness.
Hannah had a boyfriend? Why hadn’t she told him? From the looks of that text, they were pretty serious. Proposal? He set the phone down on her wallet and turned his gaze outside. He was such a fool. Of course, Hannah would move on. It wasn’t like he hadn’t. He had married and divorced.
“Ready?” Hannah’s sweet voice asked from behind him.
He nodded and stood. “Yeah. They’re opening in a few minutes.”
She grabbed her wallet and phone. “Let’s get going then.”
He tried not to stare at her as she lifted her phone and swiped it on. Her forehead crinkled as she paused. He knew she was reading the text. Why wasn’t she saying anything?
“Important?” He pushed the door open and nodded to her phone.
Hannah pressed the button and dropped it into her purse. Her cheeks were flushed as she walked through the door. “Nope. Nothing important.”
Logan studied her. Why was she acting so weird? What was the story between her and Samson? Did she not want to marry him? Did he dare hope?
They climbed into his truck, and he started it up. The drive to the bridal shop was silent. Logan wanted to ask her about Samson, but he didn’t want to reveal that he’d read the text. Why couldn’t he just ask her? They’d been friends once. He could ask her as a friend. Right?
He finally got the nerve to open his lips as he parked his truck, but Hannah didn’t wait. She opened her door and jumped out. She was agitated. Did she suspect that he’d seen?
She disappeared into the bridal shop as Logan climbed down. The only thing he knew right now was—he couldn’t move forward until he knew.
HANNAH
A woman in a black suit stood behind the counter at the bridal shop. She was busy tapping on a keyboard in front an aged monitor. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun and a pair of reading glasses hung around her neck. Hannah approached and waited. Cutout snowflakes hung from the ceiling and spun in the cool air that burst from the vent.
After a few minutes, Hannah cleared her throat. “Excuse me?”
The woman lifter her finger, but didn’t break her concentration. Hannah pinched her lips shut. What was she supposed to do now?
Finally, the clicking stopped, and she turned. “Sorry, sweetie. If I get interrupted, I forget, and I needed to get that order in.” She smiled. “When’s the big day?”
The clanging of the bells hanging from the door drew her attention away from Hannah. They both turned to see Logan slip into the shop.
“Is that the lucky fellow?” The shop lady gave Hannah an approving look.
“Um, no. We’re not getting married.” Her stomach flitted at the thought of her marrying Logan Blake.
The woman smiled. “I’m sorry. But I must say, you would make an adorable couple.”
This conversation needed to change. “Okay. I’m actually here to pick up a dress for my friend, Sandy Young?”
The woman turned back to the computer and started typing again. Thankfully, it only lasted about minute.
“Yes, I see that. We have the dress in the back.”
Hannah nodded. “Great.”
The woman disappeared through the door behind her. Hannah turned and leaned against the counter. Logan was wandering around, staring at the different dresses that hung on racks next to the dressing rooms.
She chewed her lip as she watched him. Had he seen Samson’s text? Ugh, why hadn’t she just brought her phone with her? She didn’t think Samson would try to contact her right now. Not after she’d told him she needed some time. She pulled out her phone and turned it on.
Mrs. Samson Price stared back at her.
She didn’t know what she wanted.
“Here it is, dear,” the woman said as she walked through the back door. When she went to lift it over the counter for Hannah, she paused. “Wait a minute.” Taking the dress back, she stared at it. “Oh, no.”
Hannah shut off her phone and shoved it into her back pocket. “What’s wrong?”
The woman glanced at her from over the dress. “I’m so sorry, but apparently, the work order got damaged and the measurements for height got removed. This dress is not hemmed.”
Hannah stared at her. “What?”
“Is there anyway the bride could come in for a fitting? We can get it to her for the wedding.”
“Um…”
“What’s the problem?” Logan asked as he approached.
“Apparently, this dress is not hemmed. They need Sandy to come in.”
Logan glanced at her, then back to the woman behind the counter. “She’s out of town until the wedding day.”
The woman’s lips fluttered like a fish out of water. “Um… well…”
Hannah pulled out her phone and hit Sandy’s picture.
Dress is not hemmed. They lost your measurements. What do you want me to do?
She hit send and waited. Both Logan and the shop worker stared at her. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, her phone vibrated. Huh, she could have sworn she had the ringer turned up.
WHAT!!! Are you serious?
Hannah nodded at her phone, even though Sandy couldn’t see her. Yep.
Ahh! That’s so frustrating. You’re going to have to try it on for me.
Hannah’s cheeks heated. That was the last thing she wanted to do. Trying on a wedding dress went against her resolve to forget about weddings—to forget about Samson’s proposal.
Um… Do you think that will be okay?
Her phone vibrated much quicker this time.
It’ll be fine. Thanks for being such an awesome friend!
Hannah sighed and clicked her phone off.
“Get me a dressing room,” she said to the woman behind the counter.
In under two minutes, Hannah found herself standing in a bright white dressing room, staring at Sandy’s wedding dress. It was covered completely in lace. The neckline curved down, and it had capped sleeves. If she were honest with herself, this would be the dress she would have picked. Crap.
“Do you need some help?” the woman behind the counter asked.
Hannah eyed the pearl buttons down the back. “Yeah.”
She nodded and shut the door, but not before Hannah caught a glimpse of Logan as he sat down on the plush pink couch next to the
three full-length mirrors.
“My name’s Thelma,” she said as she pulled the dress off the hook.
“Hannah,” she said as she slipped off her shirt. Might as well get to know Thelma, especially since she’d be seeing Hannah in her underwear in a matter of seconds. But apparently, that was Hannah’s new thing. People seeing her undergarments.
Once the dress was on, Hannah knew right away this was a mistake. It hugged her in all the right places. The bodice was fitted all the way past her hips. Then it flared out at the bottom. She reached up and released her curls from her bun. They cascaded down her back.
“It looks like this dress was made for you,” Thelma said with her eyes wide.
Hannah pinched her lips and nodded. Thelma was right. Too bad it was Sandy’s.
“Yeah,” Hannah whispered. Then she straightened. Best to get it off before she became too attached. “Let’s hem this dress and get it over with.”
Thelma nodded and opened the door.
Butterflies erupted in Hannah’s stomach. The look on Logan’s face made her heart pound so hard, she could hear it in her ears. His eyes were wide as his gaze swept over her.
She grabbed the bottom of the dress and walked from the dressing room. As if from instinct, Logan stood.
“Hannah, you look…” His voice was low.
She cursed her heated cheeks and kept her gaze on the ground as she walked past him. Thelma waved her over to the pedestal in the center of the room. Hannah grabbed the skirt with her hand and swung her foot up onto the pedestal. While the dress was beautiful, they really didn’t design it for a woman to move in. She teetered as she tried to straighten.
Suddenly, a warm hand grabbed hers and another hand slid around her waist.
“Whoa,” Logan’s deep voice whispered into her ear. “I’ve got you.” He held onto her until she was stabilized on the stand. His hands remained for a second longer than needed.
“I’m okay. Thanks,” she said, cursing her emotion-filled voice that exposed her.
When she turned away from him, she caught Thelma’s gaze and Thelma smiled.
“What?” Hannah asked.
Thelma knelt down in front of her. “You sure you aren’t a couple?”
Hannah laughed, which came out more like a wheeze. “Me and Logan? Of course not. We’re friends.”
Thelma shoved some pins in her mouth and then began tucking the dress up. “Honey, I’ve seen lots of couples come in and out of this place.” She moved the pins to the side of her lips as she spoke. “You have some of the strongest chemistry I’ve ever seen.”
Hannah’s gaze whipped to Logan who’d gone back to the couch. His elbows were on his knees and a bridal magazine was spread open in front of him. It seemed as if he were trying a bit too hard to read the pages.
Could he hear Thelma? What was she supposed to say to that?
“It’s over. It’s in the past. We’ve both moved on,” Hannah said. Logan’s shoulders stiffened, and she dropped her gaze. The words didn’t taste good on her tongue. But what else was she supposed to say?
Thelma smiled. “Okay, sweetie. If you say so.”
The Christmas ballad that played over the speakers filled the silent air. Thelma’s words rolled around in Hannah’s mind. Why didn’t Thelma believe her? Hannah was over Logan. In fact, she had a proposal waiting for her in Ohio. She wanted to tell that to Thelma. Prove to her that she really was over Logan.
But she doubted that Thelma would listen. And in the end, maybe Thelma was right. There was chemistry there, and it scared and excited her at the same time.
9
LOGAN
Logan stared at a picture of different-colored stiletto shoes, trying to ignore the conversation that was taking place between the shop woman and Hannah. He was also trying to ignore the pain in his gut from Hannah’s words. It’s over. It’s in the past.
Ouch.
Maybe she really was getting married to this Samson guy. Maybe things really were over. As much as he wanted to say that he had no feelings for her whatsoever, he knew that wasn’t true. They had a history. But maybe that was all. A past. That was all they shared. He needed to get over whatever he was feeling and soon.
Flipping the magazine closed, he placed it next to him and sat up, leaning back on the couch. The shop owner had stood and was circling Hannah, who had her arms folded. Her gaze followed the woman.
“I think that will do,” she said, nodding in Hannah’s direction.
A look of relief flashed over Hannah’s face. “Great. Now, can I get out of this?”
The woman nodded, and Hannah reached out her hand, and she was helped down.
“Great. I can’t wait to get this dress off.”
Ten minutes later, Hannah emerged from the dressing room in her sweatshirt and jeans. Her hair was back up in a bun, and she looked comfortable.
They nodded to the woman who had taken up residence at the counter again.
“It was very nice to meet you two,” she called after them. “Come back once you make it official!” They closed the door on her words.
Logan’s face heated as he glanced over to Hannah. She looked about as uncomfortable as he felt. They climbed into his truck. The silence around them was about as palpable as the air before a summer storm.
He started up the truck and backed out of the parking lot.
“That was awkward.” Hannah’s voice broke through the music that carried from his speakers.
He let out the breath he was holding. Thank goodness she’d spoken first. “Right?”
Hannah giggled, and the tension dissipated. “Why would she ever think we could be a couple? I’ve moved on. You’ve moved on. It’s been seven years. There’s nothing there anymore. We’re just old friends. Siblings, even.”
Logan gripped the steering wheel. Well, that’s not what he would classify them as. Really? Her brother? He flipped on his blinker and merged into another lane. “Most older women love to play matchmaker.”
Hannah snorted. “Yeah, well, she should probably keep her focus more on not losing measurements then predicting people’s love life.”
Ooh, knife to the gut. Was hearing about a relationship with him really that bad? There was a bite to Hannah’s tone that caused him to shift in his seat.
When Hannah didn’t say anything more, he glanced over to her. Her gaze met his, and her expression softened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to come out that way. It’s just… all this wedding stuff makes me uncomfortable. It’s bringing out a side of me that’s ugly. It’s not your fault, and it’s not Thelma’s fault, either.”
Logan nodded. Well, at least she felt bad about insulting him. That did help.
He pulled up in front of the tuxedo rental store and turned. “I’ll be just a minute. Hopefully, they didn’t lose any measurements as well.” Hannah nodded as he jumped from the cab.
In under five minutes, he finished with the man at the register and returned with a handful of tuxedos.
Hannah raised her eyebrows. “That was fast.”
Logan nodded as he buckled. “Women always take longer. Didn’t you know that?”
She giggled as he pulled from the parking spot. “Yeah, you’re right.”
He was enjoying the sound of her laugh. He wanted to make her happy. “This one time, Charity took so long to get ready that I actually fell asleep on the couch. Like, mouth open kind of sleep. When she woke me up, I had to change because I had a drool spot on my shirt.”
Hannah laughed again. “I can imagine that.” Then she grew quiet. “Who’s Charity?”
“My ex,” Logan said, then pinched his lips. It was an instinct. He glanced over to Hannah, who had her eyes wide.
“Ex? Girlfriend?”
Logan focused on the road. “Wife.”
“Wow. When did you get married?” She paused. “And divorced?”
Well, might as well tell her. “Right out of high school. Remember Charity Monson?”
“The cheerleadi
ng captain? You married her?”
Logan fiddled with the radio settings. “Yep.”
Hannah grew quiet again, so Logan peeked over to her. She had a look that he couldn’t quite read.
“It didn’t last long. After a few years, we discovered we weren’t compatible together.” He never liked it when his friends bad-mouthed their exes, and vowed to never do that to Charity. Saying they split because they weren’t working out wasn’t a lie. It just wasn’t the whole truth.
“Well, you were young.” She paused. “Charity Monson? Huh. Never would have put you two together.” She picked a piece of thread off her pants.
“What about you? Any ex-husbands lurking in your past?” He eyed her, hoping she’d give him a clue about Samson. How serious were they?
Hannah laughed. “No. No, ex-husbands for me. Just ex-boyfriends.”
Political answer. “What about almost ex-husbands? Any of those?” This was her moment. He was handing her the opportunity to tell him about Samson.
Silence. The light in front of him turned red so he stopped, then took this moment to turn and look at her.
“No almost proposals?” Logan asked
Ouch. She didn’t trust him enough to tell him about Samson. He sighed. Maybe he deserved it. He did run out on her on prom night. But how could he go back onto the dance floor after they’d kissed and tell Hannah that he’d gotten Charity pregnant? Especially when he knew the right thing to do was to marry Charity. Would Hannah have understood?
He gripped the steering wheel tighter. Perhaps. But he was just a kid, and he acted on instinct. He had no idea that she’d pack up and leave the next day, never to see him again. If he could go back in time, he would have handled things differently. He would have been honest. But now, the result of his deception was more deception.
Their relationship status was his fault. He squared his shoulders as he pulled into the parking lot of the local recording studio. If there was one thing he was going to do this Christmas, it was mending their relationship. He’d earn her trust back one way or another.
HANNAH
Logan put the car into park and smiled over at Hannah. She returned even though her stomach was in knots. Why didn’t she just confess about Samson?
Forgiving the Billionaire (A Clean Billionaire Romance Book 2) Page 6
