A voice from behind interrupted them.
“Logan?”
They peered over their shoulders toward the voice.Shelby.She knew it, because she had the look. Brooke’s gut clenched. A beautiful blonde with long flowy hair floated on over to the car. Logan’s back stiffened. He shifted back to face Brooke, and they locked eyes. Understanding passed between them. Logan let go of the corner of the car door.
He leaned his back against the car. “Shelby, what are you doing here?” He plunged a hand into his pocket and made no attempts to move closer.
She called it.
Her heart plummeted.
Brooke glanced quickly between Logan and Shelby. And in a snap, hope vanished. The one who got away would win again.
CHAPTER 7
Even years later, Logan knew he could pick up Shelby’s voice from anywhere. Crowded restaurant, yep. A sprawling park, absolutely. The whisper in the church pew four rows back, unfortunately yes.
Which was why his body nearly convulsed when she said his name. And he knew then he’d never be free. And he hated her for it.
“Shelby.” Sweat slathered his brow despite the wind chill seeping through his jacket. “This is a surprise.”
“Yes, a good one.” Shelby shoved her hands into the front of her puffy coat. “You look great.” Her hungry eyes roamed his body. “Have you been working out?”
“No.” His jaw locked and he tried to ignore his mounting blood pressure. “Did Danielle ask you to come by?” His brow furrowed.
“What?” Shelby shook her head. Her blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders and across her back. “No, I was only out for a walk.” She peered past him to Brooke in the car.
Shelby looked the same as though she somehow mystically bypassed the challenges of time. His stomach swooned without his consent. He willed himself to stay in the present and remindhimself of the pain she caused him. Being attracted to Shelby had never been the issue, her treatment of him had been.
“Do you live around here?” Logan asked.
“I thought Danielle told you.” Shelby stepped closer. “I moved in across the street from her.”
What?
He nearly peed his pants.
“I thought she ran into you at the grocery store,” he countered.
“Yes, true.” Shelby removed her hand from her pocket and scratched her nose. “Then we figured out I had moved in across the street. I mean what are the odds?” She smiled.
His mind reeled. How could Danielle have failed to mention this huge bit of information? Every time he went to visit her, he’d wonder if he had a chance of running into Shelby again. Ugh. The thought made him nauseous. He ran a hand through his hair.
“It’s my first house,” Shelby added.
“You don’t say.” His back stiffened.
And so, the unraveling began.
“Sorry.” Shelby glanced over at Brooke and waved. “We’re being really rude. I’m Shelby.”
Duh, he’d completely forgotten Brooke had a front row seat to this train wreck of a moment.
Brooke climbed out of her seat and straightened her blouse. “I’m Brooke.”
He slid an arm around Brooke’s waist and gently brought her closer to his body. “Brooke’s my girlfriend.”
“Guilty.” Brooke placed a hand on Logan’s chest and smiled brightly. “Logan is all mine.” She scrunched up her nose and gazed up at him adoringly.
