“I just wish I knew how to tell him that I want to be a real part of his life,” Claire told Sophie.
Sophie gave her a worried look. “Do you think he’s ready to handle that, hon?”
“I don’t know,” Claire said, feeling miserable. “We’ve spent a month and a half together and I think we’ve been getting closer.” Her doctor had been happy with her progress, and she’d been taken off strict bed rest after two weeks but was still restricted to limited movement. She had chosen to stay with Logan anyway, content to allow him to dote on her. She patted her belly. “Besides, the baby will be here soon, so I feel like I should do something before he or she arrives. I just don’t know what to say to him. I don’t want him to feel obligated. Do you think he feels obligated, Soph?”
Her sister pondered the question. “It’s hard to say, but I have the feeling that he’s the sort of man who never really feels obligated to do anything. My impression of him is that he’s a man who only does what he wants.”
“He may seem that way, but he’s really not as bad as you think he is,” Claire defended him. “You have to admit he’s been wonderful to me while I’ve been staying here.”
Sophie pursed her lips. “He’s been wonderful in the past and then turned into a jerk,” she pointed out. “Don’t forget about how wonderful your Maryland trip was and then how he ruined it by being a complete jackass afterward.”
“That was partially my fault.” Feeling uncomfortable, Claire shifted a bit on the bed. “He was upset because he thought I was keeping our relationship a secret.”
“Youwerekeeping it a secret.”
Leave it to one’s sister, she thought, to remind one of one’s shortcomings. “Only because I didn’t want to face Mom about it. I knew how she would react and I was trying to avoid it until the last possible moment.”
“Even so, he wouldn’t have had to react quite the way he did.”
“You don’t know his past like I do.” Claire paused, aware that she was championing Logan and unable to stop. She was beginning to think that Derek was right, that she did love Logan. “He was a foster kid growing up and he’s really sensitive about it. He thought I was ashamed of him.”
“I can understand that having that kind of past might make someone feel self-conscious.” Sophie sounded reluctant to make such an admission. She had decided that Logan was no good for her sister and it would be hard to convince her otherwise. “But I still think his behavior left a lot to be desired.”
“He’s not used to communicating,” Claire continued. But he had been making an effort recently. For her sake, she liked to think.
“I hope he gets used to it,” Sophie said tartly.
“He’s opening up a little at a time.” She shifted again, unable to find a comfortable position. She was beginning to feel crampy.
“Are you okay?” Sophie looked concerned. “Can I get you something?”
“I’m fine.” Well, she was almost fine, but there was no need to tell her sister that she was feeling a little under the weather. Everything was perfectly fine, she was sure of it.
“Are you sure he’s being good to you?”
“Positive. And Derek’s being great too.” At that moment, Caesar pushed his way in through the partially closed bedroom door, offering up a noisy meow as if to announce himself. “Caesar too,” she added with a smile as the cat waddled over to her bed and jumped up, purring crazily and rubbing against her arm. “He sleeps with me most nights. Derek’s jealous because I’ve stolen him.”
“Don’t you find it a little strange to have a famous actor living in the same house as you?” Sophie put in, moving on to a less confrontational subject. “What’s he like?”
“He’s the sweetest man.” Claire laughed, thinking of how he played Go Fish and watched movies with her. She lowered her voice. “At first it was strange, but he’s just like anyone else. I really think he’s lost right now. He’s a recovering alcoholic and he’s in the middle of a bad divorce. He told me all about it. His soon-to-be ex-wife, Trina Wade, sounds like a horrible person. He’s lucky to be rid of her, although I don’t think he’s realized that yet.”
“The world is full of breakups, make-ups, and heartaches,” Sophie said with a sigh. “I can’t believe I was lucky enough to find Trevor. My life has been so happy with him.” She grabbed Claire’s hand and gave it an impulsive squeeze. “I want that same kind of happiness for you.”
“I know.”
“I’m just not sure that you’ll be able to find it with Logan.”
Neither was Claire, but she had decided not to let her doubts hold her back anymore. If there was even a chance that she could be with Logan, she had to go after it, seize it, do whatever she could with it.
“I want to be able to find it with him,” Claire said softly. “I’m going to do my best to do it.”
“Then I wish you luck.” Sophie’s eyes were still clouded, but the smile curving her lips was genuine.
“I have a feeling I might need it,” Claire returned. “Thanks, Soph. I know Logan’s not your first choice for me, but I appreciate that you’ve supported my decisions from the beginning.”
“Hey.” Sophie gave her an awkward half-hug so that their bellies didn’t collide. “That’s what sisters are for.”
Claire was sitting on the edge of the bed, hands clenched in her lap, trying to maintain a sense of calm. After Sophie had left and Logan had brought her his very scrumptious chicken tacos, she’d gone to the bathroom to pee. Except that she was fairly certain that her water had broken instead. Deciding not to panic, she had cleaned up the bathroom and packed her overnight bag, including an outfit her mother had bought for the baby.
