Chapter Fifteen
Emma stared at Logan with new awareness. She’d unconsciously used him as the role model for her ideal man. David couldn’t compare, so she’d called to let him know she could never marry him.
But neither could she marry Logan. He’d never look twice at a shy librarian who had grown up in a small Southern town. Surrounded by glamorous, successful women from the fast-paced world of L.A., why would he?
He’s liked spending time with you since he returned from Italy, a small voice whispered.
He’s liked being with the woman he thinks is Lily, she thought. She didn’t believe in fooling herself. What would he do if she suddenly revealed herself, if she confessed to having pretended for days?
She shuddered slightly and turned away.
The masquerade meant nothing, had simply been a lark, a blip in the greater scheme of things. She was attracted to him because he could kiss like no one else she’d ever met. And his looks were just short of perfect.
There were also attractive men in Virginia.
This attraction was a result of fantasy, of being on vacation. Day to day reality wouldn’t prove so romantic or compelling. Attraction could fade. He’d pull back or something else would engage her attention.
“Here you go, one master omelette. It’s got everything but the kitchen sink,” Logan said, slipping a plate in front of her.
For a moment her resolve wavered. No one but her mother had ever fixed her breakfast. Maybe she should latch on to him and never let go. The eggs looked delicious. She cut into the steaming omelette, then tasted it.
“Wonderful,” she said as the blend of flavors hit her tongue.
“My one major culinary accomplishment,” Logan said smugly.
In only moments he’d prepared one for himself and sat opposite her.
As they ate, conversation was sporadic. Emma felt a comfortable ease between them that she’d not felt before. Munching on toast, she gazed out the window, wondering at all the firsts. Was it an omen?
Was Logan destined to be more than her sister’s neighbor she met one vacation?
Swinging her gaze to him, she watched as he ate, drank the coffee, slathered strawberry jam on his toast. What would it be like to share breakfast with him every morning?
Would they discuss their day? Make plans for the future?
Laugh at something the children had said?
Children?
Carefully she laid the toast on the edge of the plate. She was getting a little carried away.
She’d only met the man a few days ago. And a wild attraction didn’t necessarily mean anything. Hormones, chemistry. That’s all. The fact that she found him fascinating proved how much she needed to experience life a bit more before settling down.
He was outside her realm, and she was awed by their differences. Once she knew him better, he’d probably become as predictable as David.
Yet for the moment a rosy hue obscured that. To her, Logan was simply a totally foreign element to her normally staid existence.
“How did you get started in special effects?” she asked.
There were probably three hundred questions she wanted answers for, but that one seemed the least revealing.
She didn’t want him to suspect her interest. Wouldn’t that put him on his guard?
Lily had lived next door for two years yet had never mentioned him in any phone calls.
Obviously she didn’t see him in the same light as Emma.
“I started out in animation. I liked cartoons as a kid, became interested in how they were done when I was in high school. My mother really pushed me to study so I could get a scholarship to the college of my choice. I was lucky to get into USC’s film school.
I began learning about animation, but once I discovered the amazing things that computers could do, I switched majors to computer science, and branched out from animation to special effects. ”
“And now you have your own company.”
“Yeah, but it was a long time coming. I worked for some of the studios while in college and when I first graduated. When I scraped up enough money to buy some of my own equipment, I continued to do small jobs for the independents. I got a break when one of the major special effect studios couldn’t take on a new film and the producer asked me.
I came in on time and under budget and was the golden child for weeks.
That led to more assignments, and finally I was able to open my own place. ”
“I’m impressed.”
Hollywood was a cutthroat business and to succeed as much as Logan had in so short a time was nothing short of phenomenal. Yet to talk to him, she’d never have suspected. He exhibited none of the bragging or concentration on his own achievements that her father had displayed in their short lunch.
“So now you’re rich and famous and doing what you like.”
“I’ve got enough money to live here. Fame is fleeting. I want the studios to know that they can count on my work. You’re right in that I’m doing exactly what I like. Aren’t you?”
She thought of her job at the library. She enjoyed working with the patrons, researching hard-to-find tidbits of information, and being surrounded by books. Reading was her greatest pleasure, and to combine it with her job gave her a lot of joy.
“Yes, I love what I do,” she said, finishing the last of the omelette.
“Playing the field and lying on the beach,” he murmured.
She looked up at that.
“Do I detect a note of censure?” she asked.
For a moment she forgot she was in the role of her sister. She almost told him how hard she’d worked to get her current position.
“Not if doing nothing brings you happiness.”
“You think I should be doing more?”
“What do you think?”
“I know what I think, I want to know what you think.”
“Do what brings you happiness, cupcake. I learned that from my mother. She is one of the world’s happiest people. If you look at material things, she doesn’t have half as much as you or I. Yet she has a ton of friends and really enjoys her life.”
Emma stared at him. There was more, she was sure. She’d definitely detected disapproval in his comment.
Logan sighed softly and reached out for her hand, as if to anchor her against the words he planned to say.
“You’re bright and pretty. You have a lot on the ball. I think frittering your life away in parties and lazing around the beach is a waste of what brains you have. And I question how happy you are if you constantly need to seek activity, action. Do you find satisfaction from the roles you act in?”
“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t keep doing them,” Emma said, wondering if the reason Lily was always on the move was because of dissatisfaction with her life.
It was sobering. She’d always pictured Lily as being blissfully happy. Emma had always thought it would be wonderful to fly to the Riviera, or Paris, then back to California. Now Logan put doubts in her mind.
He squeezed her fingers and released her.
“What do you want to do today?” he asked.
Learn more about you, she almost said.
“Lie on the beach until it’s time to get ready for the barbecue. And maybe soak my fet in the ocean. What about you?”
Her feet were still sore from all the dancing she’d done last night. The thought of doing nothing seemed perfect.
“Sounds good to me. I think we’ve finally finished with the Italians. Pete left last night to return home. I can just veg out and enjoy the day.”
Southern California had a lot to offer, Emma thought a little later as she spread sun screen on her legs. The sky remained cloudless. The quiet soughing of the surf provided a melodic background to the peaceful setting. The raucous crying of the gulls the only harsh note in a pristine day.
They didn’t have the beach to themselves. Two families had staked spots farther south, and the sound of children’s laughter swept their way from time to time. Once, a dog barked.
“Want some?” she asked Logan, holding up the sun screen bottle. He was already reclined on a towel, his body gleaming with a sheen of perspiration, muscles sculpted, belly flat. She kept her eyes resolutely above the brief bathing trunks he wore, which so clearly defined his masculinity.
“Not just yet. I put some on at home.”
“Tell me more about the people I’ll meet today,” she said as she lay beside him and closed her eyes.
The warmth of the sun soon had her floating. With the mesmerizing cadence of the surf and the low tone of his voice, she smiled. It was as perfect as things got. For a moment she imagined it was a typical day. They’d stay on the beach, go up for lunch, and maybe a nap—
Oops, maybe not. She concentrated on the descriptions he briefly sketched. At least he didn’t expect her to know these people.
They talked, swam, shifted positions and dozed.
A lazy day, Emma conceded at one point, perfect for vacation.
If she’d been home, she’d have risen early to dust and vacuum her small cottage, done weekly chores and stopped by her folks’ house to visit.
Maybe she would have squeezed in a game of tennis or taken the kids to the pool.
Then dinner with David, or a pleasant evening at friends or the show.
Instead she was free of chores and errands. With no friends demanding her attention, she could spend her entire day with Logan, reveling in each moment. Saving memories to take out later and enjoy a second time. A magical day.
Even the drive to the San Fernando Valley later seemed magical.
As they left the beach behind, Emma saw mountains in the distance The infamous L.A.
smog seemed to be missing as they drew closer.
Crystal clear and soaring, the mountains provided a green backdrop, the soaring evergreens appearing to puncture the sky.
Curious about the mountains, Emma refrained from asking.
Lily undoubtedly knew, having grown up here.