Bayside Destinies

by Stacy Claflin

  What she needed was to stall him so he’d still be there when the cops got there.

  “Just press the button,” he commanded. “Let me in. We have to talk.”

  “I’m… indisposed.”

  “I can help you feel better.”

  She held back a gag and texted Nico.

  Bryson is at my apartment building. Hurry!

  “Audrey…” Bryson said.

  She had to think quickly. “I’m not dressed.”

  “That won’t hurt my feelings one bit.”

  What a pig!

  “Audrey, let me in.” His voice was equal parts hypnotic and creepy. “I’m waiting.”

  “Hold on!” How had she ever put up with him as a boyfriend?

  Probably because she didn’t know people like Logan existed outside of movies or novels. Or if she thought they did, she never thought one would have any interest in her. Between her upbringing and Bryson’s cruelty, she hadn’t thought she could do any better for far too long.

  Logan’s advice rang through her mind: Don’t engage with him.

  But if she didn’t, would he leave? She needed the cops to get there and arrest him. She raced over to the deck and called nine-one-one. As she filled them in on the situation, she could hear the buzzing from Bryson. It was horribly grating. Even Charlie whined at her side.

  “He won’t stop buzzing to be let in!” she told the operator.

  “Can you go somewhere to get away from the noise?”

  “I’m already out on my deck!”

  “Can you close the door?” he asked.

  “Why didn’t I think about that?” She slammed the sliding glass door and continued to answer questions.

  At last, the operator told Audrey the police had arrived. She sighed in relief and leaned against the railing for support.

  “Which apartment are you in?”

  Audrey told the operator her apartment number.

  “Don’t leave until one of the police officers comes to speak with you. Are you okay to get off the phone?”

  “Yeah, thanks.” She ended the call and stumbled toward the door.

  There was no more buzzing coming from inside. She went in and crumpled onto the futon.

  Had Bryson fled or been caught? Would he finally be arrested?

  Various scenarios played in her mind. Charlie’s licking was actually a nice distraction, but it didn’t seem like anything would help calm her racing pulse.

  Knock, knock!

  Her heart leaped into her throat.

  Charlie jumped to the floor and barked.

  “Stop!” Audrey made her way to the door and looked through the peephole. Two policemen stood outside her apartment.

  Shaking, she unlocked it and opened the door. Charlie tried to get around her.

  “Audrey Hughes?” asked an officer.

  She nodded and stepped back, grabbing onto Charlie’s collar. “Come in.”

  They informed her that Bryson had been arrested. After they said that, she could hardly take in anything they told her. She nodded and tried to focus, but her mind raced, trying to figure out what that would mean.

  One thing she caught was that Bryson wouldn’t be locked away for life, so at some point he would either have to decide to go back to Spokane or to come after her again.

  Her stomach twisted into a tight knot. She struggled to keep her previous meal down.

  Despite the wonderful times she spent with Logan, she couldn’t help but wonder what this would mean regarding a future with him. Would he still feel the same way about her, or would he want to walk away once the threat of Bryson was gone?

  No sooner had the officers left than the front door buzzed again.

  She tensed, but realized it had been a quick noise, not the long annoying buzz Bryson had been making. Plus, the creep was on his way to jail. He couldn’t get to her. Not yet, anyway.

  “Hello?” Audrey asked.

  “It’s me.”

  Logan.

  She breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Are you okay? Can I come up?”

  “Yeah.” She pressed the button to let him in. It took a couple tries because her hands were still shaking.

  Charlie hadn’t left her side, and he was keeping the licking to a minimum. She paced, waiting for Logan.

  Knock, knock.

  Audrey opened the door again, this time forgetting to check the peephole. A sense of dread washed over her, but it was really Logan standing there.

  He pulled her into his embrace and held her tightly against him. “Are you really okay?”

  She nodded and rested her head against his. His heart thundered wildly into her ear.

  “I’m just shaken. But it’s all good. They arrested him.”

  “Finally. Now you can rest easy.”

  “I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to relax.”

  “You will,” he assured her. “Once you get used to not having to second guess everyone, things will go back to normal.”

  “How do you know? Are you just trying to make me feel better?”

  “I’ve had clients in similar positions, and the ones I’ve spoken to about it later have all been able to go on with their lives. And besides, I’m here if you need anything.” He kissed the top of her head. “Do you need anything?”

  “I just want to go on our date and forget about everything else.”

  He cupped her chin and brushed his lips across hers. “So do I.”

  Audrey’s heart fluttered. “Just let me freshen up after all that excitement.”

  She hurried into the bathroom. Her hair stuck out in odd directions but she was able to fix it quickly, despite her shaky hands.

  Outside the door, she could hear Logan playing with Charlie and speaking to him with baby-talk.

  Audrey grinned, warmth radiating through her, replacing the stress and anxiety. He really was a good man—the opposite of Bryson in every way. She enjoyed the moment listening to him, and then stepped out into the living room.

  Logan was playing tug-of-war with Charlie. Audrey couldn’t tell who was having more fun.

  She cleared her throat, and Logan glanced over, flashing his gorgeous smile. “All ready?”

  “The question is, are you?”

  He laughed and let go of the toy. “For dinner with you? You’d better believe it. Let me just wash my hands first.”

  Charlie followed Logan into the kitchen, licking him the whole way.

  Audrey shook her head, still feeling the warmth radiating throughout. His patience with Charlie made her appreciate him all the more.

  Once they were in the hallway, her defenses shot back up again. She eyed everyone with suspicion, and her heart sped up as they approached every corner where someone could be lurking.

  Logan put an arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek. “I’m sorry I was a little late. I can’t help but think Bryson wouldn’t have had a chance to bother you if I’d been here on time.”

  “He also wouldn’t have gotten arrested. Hopefully, I’ll be able to rest easily soon.”

  Logan pressed the button for the elevator. “Remind me to thank him.”

  “Huh?” She gave him a double-take.

  “If he wasn’t such a lunatic, you’d have never come back into my life.”

  Her mouth gaped.

  He kissed her. The streams of warmth running through her turned into a heatwave, taking her breath away.

  Twenty-Six

  Logan stared into Audrey’s enchanting eyes, which reflected both the bay and him.

  “I still can’t believe you put this all together.” She panned her hands over the picnic. “I mean, not that I don’t think you could.” Her face flushed pink. “It’s just that nobody’s ever gone to such an effort for me.”

  He traced her jawline with his thumb and softly pressed his mouth on hers, taking in her sweet citrusy perfume. “You’d best get used to being treated as well as you deserve. It’s about to happen every day. I plan to not only do that, but to
make up for what you should’ve had all the years before.”

  “I… I…” She stared at him, her eyes shining.

  “Are those tears?” Logan’s chest tightened.

  “I’m sorry.”

  He kissed her next to each eye. “Don’t be. I don’t want you to be sorry for anything, ever. You have nothing to be sorry for. Nothing.”

  She blinked, and the tears fell to her face.

  Logan wiped each one away. “I wanted this to be a perfect date, but now I’ve made you cry.”

  Audrey shook her head. “It’s not like that. These are tears of happiness.”

  That felt like a punch to the gut. How could a simple beach date and telling her she deserved to be happy make her cry with joy? Her life had to have been so far removed from anything Logan had ever experienced with a big loving family and a dream career.

  He pulled her close and held her. If only there was something he could’ve done to keep her from all the heartache of her life. He would just have to settle for trying to make her happy enough to push away all the past memories.

  She cleared her throat and sat back, wiping more tears away. “You said there was dessert?”

  “There’s always some when I’m around.” He smiled and dug out the turtle pie. “One of my favorites, for one of my favorite people.”

  She stared at the cookie-crusted pie covered with caramel, chocolate, whip cream, and pecans before turning back to him. “That looks like some cake.”

  “It’s actually a pie, but it’s better than any cake you’ll ever eat.”

  They sat in silence eating the pie and watching the water lazily roll onto the shore and then fall back again. Every so often, Logan glanced back at Audrey. She was so beautiful, and seemed to grow more so each time he stole a look.

  Once the plates were empty, Logan set them aside, put his arm around her and rested his palm on her smooth, soft shoulder. “I should probably get you home so you aren’t tired tomorrow for work.”

  She leaned her head against his. “I don’t want to be alone.”

  “I thought you weren’t alone with Charlie there?”

  “You know what I mean. I’m happy here, like this. With you.”

  He kissed her cheek, his heart ready to explode from his chest with happiness. “We can sit here until the sun sets, if that’s what you want.”

  “I’d like that.”

  The sky was still bright blue with only the very edge of the horizon giving off a different hue. “It could be a while.”

  She snuggled closer to him. “Good.”

  Logan grinned so wide he had to look goofy, but he didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was that Audrey wanted to be with him and that she was relaxed and content.

  They sat like that, watching seagulls play over the water and other animals run around the shore. Geese chased some unsuspecting ducks, and squirrels chattered as they darted up trees and into bushes.

  Sometimes, kids ran by, splashing each other, but luckily not Logan and Audrey. After the water mishap he’d had a couple weeks earlier, he was especially grateful to be left dry. Thankfully, Audrey had believed him that the water on his shorts was only water when it had looked like he’d wet himself.

  “What’s so funny?” she asked.

  Had he been chuckling and not realized it? “I was just thinking about the time we ran into each other when I was with Shale, and my shorts were wet from a kid spilling water on me.”

  She burst out laughing. “I have to admit, it was hard to keep a straight face about that when I first saw it.”

  “At least I can provide you with entertainment.”

  Audrey held his gaze, her cheeks flushing. “You do so much more than that.”

  If he wasn’t careful, he would blush soon. He moved aside some hair from her face and gave her a quick kiss. She smelled and tasted so good he wanted to deepen the kiss.

  He wanted it like he’d never wanted anything before.

  But after the day she’d had, he couldn’t risk it—risk that she might think he was trying to push her further than she wanted to go, or worse, that he was trying to take advantage of her during a weak moment. The last thing he wanted was to give her any reason to think he was at all like Bryson.

  Was that crazy? He was nothing like that lunatic.

  He pulled back and traced her cheek softly with the back of his fingers. Her expression was dazed.

  Logan kissed her palm. “It looks like the show is starting.”

  She nestled back against him, and they gazed at the skyline, now featuring some pinks and oranges.

  The colors grew brighter and took over more and more of the sky, reflecting off the water. And sitting with Audrey made it all the more spellbinding.

  He wanted it to last forever, but all too soon, the sky was dark except for the sparkling stars.

  “Are you ready?” Logan whispered.

  She yawned. “No, but I should probably get back so I don’t sleep through my alarm in the morning.”

  “I could give you a wakeup call if you’d like.” His heart warmed just thinking about hearing her voice first thing in the morning.

  “You don’t have to.”

  “I know I don’t have to. I want to.”

  “Sure. I’d never say no to hearing your voice.”

  He brushed his lips across hers, then packed everything back into the picnic basket.

  Once back at her apartment, he glanced out around the empty hallway for anyone suspicious. Even with Bryson in jail, he still didn’t trust him. He had friends who were willing to house and hide a dangerous stalker—they might be willing to do his dirty work while he was behind bars.

  “Do you feel safe staying here?” Logan asked. “Both you and Charlie are welcome at my place.”

  Not that Logan would get any sleep knowing she was just down the hall.

  “It’s fine. Bryson’s in jail. I’m safer than ever now.”

  “He could post bail or get out for other perfectly legal reasons.”

  “What?” Her face paled.

  Logan pulled a strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t want to scare you, but I also don’t want you to let your guard down. He has friends in the area.”

  “What are you saying?” Her eyes held fear.

  “Just that you still need to be careful. Just like you have been.”

  Her lips formed a straight line. “I wish I’d never met him.”

  “I don’t blame you, but all of this’ll be over soon. He’ll face a judge and receive a sentence. I’ll do what I can to make sure he gets the most jail time the law will allow. I might be able to convince the judge to send him to one of the prisons in Washington so he’ll be even farther away from you.”

  Audrey threw her arms around him.

  Logan held her close and kissed the top of her head. “I’ll do everything in my power to keep him as far from you as possible. Are you sure you want to stay here tonight?”

  She stepped back and stood tall. “Yes. I’m not going to let him scare me away from staying in my own place.”

  “Okay. You know where to reach me.”

  Audrey nodded.

  “What time do you want that wakeup call?”

  She yawned. “Six-fifteen. It’s going to come all too soon. Are you sure you want to call that early?”

  “To hear your voice? Without a doubt.” Logan gave her a quick kiss and closed the door after she stepped inside. He waited until he heard the click of the lock before heading for his car.

  Once in his bedroom, he barely took the time to get ready for bed before crashing under the covers.

  Audrey had been right about one thing—his alarm blared all too soon. He cracked open one eye, called her number, and then closed his eye again.

  “Good morning,” she greeted him.

  “’Morning sunshine.” His voice was scratchy. He cleared his throat.

  “You sound more tired than I am,” she teased.

  “I think I might be. I’ve gotten
used to sleeping in.” The fog of sleepiness enveloped him. He’d be lucky to stay awake for another couple minutes. He tried opening his eyes, but it was futile.

  “Thanks for calling,” Audrey said. “I’d better get up. Have a good day, Logan.”

  “You too. I love you.” His eyes flew open. What had he just said?

  Silence.

  Crap! Now what was he supposed to do?

  The silence continued.

  His heart raced. Had he scared her away?

  “Audrey?” Logan finally asked.

  “Um… You love me?”

  His heart beat so hard, it felt like it would bust through his chest. There was no point in denying what he’d said—he must’ve meant it since he’d said it in a sleepy stupor.

  “Logan?”

  “Yeah, I do. I love you.” It was crazy how easily the words rolled off his tongue.

  “Wow.”

  That wasn’t exactly the response he’d been hoping for. But he couldn’t blame her. If his mouth hadn’t run off without his permission, he’d have waited for a much better time to tell her.

  “I love you, too.”

  His heart swelled.

  Twenty-Seven

  Audrey waved to Wendy, the new receptionist, as she walked to the back room. Wendy waved back but kept her attention on the customer she was talking to.

  Cassidy glanced up from a file. “Hey there. How are you?”

  “Perfect.” Audrey couldn’t wipe off the smile from her face as she hung her purse on a hook. Things really couldn’t be better.

  It had been just over two weeks since Logan had told her that he loved her, and since then, they’d both declared their love for each other at least a hundred times.

  Every day, they’d gone on a date—sometimes two, when Logan showed up at the doggie hotel with another colorful bouquet. No two were the same, and now both her apartment and the office were covered with flowers.

  Audrey got to work, humming a joyful tune. Now that Wendy was manning the front desk, Audrey’s job was so much easier. Instead of dragging herself out of the building each day, now she practically bounced out, eager to see both her playful pup and the man she loved.

  It still felt too good to be true that Logan Hunter loved her. Back when she was a foster kid visiting Enchantment Bay for the summer, he had been the one boy that any girl would’ve been thrilled to date. Girls had clamored for his attention, and she’d even seen a few drop other boys when Logan suggested the two of them go see a movie together.