Page 22 of Switching Places

They’d eaten together once or twice, and each time she’d seemed polished and poised and restless. She liked to laugh and tease and be the center of attention.

Tonight, she acted completely different. Was that part of the reason he felt this odd pull of attraction, because she acted so differently?

He’d thought her very much like his ex-wife and had kept a safe distance between them. Now he wasn’t so sure. Lily seemed softer, gentler. Yet just as flirty as ever if her eyes darting to his over the menu were any indication.

He studied the menu, trying to ignore the way she watched him. Had he been too long without a woman? Aware of every inch of the enchanting woman opposite him, he stirred restlessly in the hard chair. He raised his gaze and clashed with hers.

When she smiled and looked down, fatigue fled. Suddenly he was wide awake, and definitely interested. He tossed the menu down on the table and leaned back, holding her gaze. What game was she playing now?

When Logan stared so boldly, Emma dropped her gaze, feeling the heat and tension build between them. He thought she was flirting, she could tell. And if she had a clue how to proceed, she’d do it. But embarrassment burned in her cheeks. She only hoped that Logan attributed any heightened color to her being in the sun today.

The words on the menu danced before her eyes. She couldn’t concentrate when he watched her so closely.

She couldn’t believe she had dumped her purse. She was never that clumsy. And of all times to have a dozen packets of that flavored floss David gave her. She was lucky she didn’t haveone of his toothbrush bouquets along. Why hadn’t she cleaned everything out before leaving home?

As the minutes ticked by she wondered how long she could hide behind the menu. Could she excuse herself, call a cab and reach home before Logan knew she’d left? Barring the door and never facing him again?

So much for sophistication.

No, she had to brazen it out. Think. What would Lily do? She almost groaned. First of all, on the short acquaintance with her sister before she’d left for Mexico, she definitely did not seem the type to be carrying floss with her, so a similar situation would never occur. And if it did, Lily probably would have offered the floss to everyone sitting on the patio, laughing the entire time.

Emma should have tossed off the accident and acted as breezy as if that kind of thing happened all the time instead of running like a scared rabbit. She sighed softly, wondering if that was to always be her lot in life.

“Are you going to sleep over there?” Logan asked.

She lowered the menu a fraction. Smiling in what she hoped was an open imitation of her sister, she shook her head. Lowering her voice, she said breathlessly, “You’d know if I were getting ready for bed, Logan. I’m hungry, but not sure what I want.”

Seeing Logan’s eyes narrow she almost gave up. Obviously she might as well tell him who she was, he’d never believe she was her twin. How had Lily maintained a casual friendship with the man? He was so handsome, even tired to death. Emma just wanted to sit and feast her gaze on him.

“Have the burritos like you did last time and let’s order. I’m fading fast.”

“Does this work, staying awake for so long so you can get back on California time?” she asked once their order hadbeen placed. She’d been reluctant to release the menu. Its size afforded a safe place to hide and be hidden.

He grinned.

“Heck if I know. I usually stop in New York and that helps the transition. But if I can make it a couple of more hours, I’ll be able to get to bed and sleep until I wake up. I plan to unplug the phone, don’t want the office waking me before I’m good and ready.”

Feeling as awkward as if she were on a blind date, she sought a topic of interest. He’d asked about her family, could she ask about his?

“Tell me about your parents,” she said, delaying her confession a bit longer.

He cocked his head, narrowing his eyes a bit.

“My mother still lives in San Francisco.”

“You say that like you’ve tried to get her to move here.”

The waitress stopped and placed a huge basket of crisp tortilla chips and two containers of salsa, one red, the other green, in the center of the table. Emma and Logan reached into the basket at the same moment, fingers tangling. Emma snatched back her hand as if burned. Though the tingling that danced up her arm wasn’t painful, it was disconcerting. Every nerve went on alert as she fought to keep her composure. What was it about this man that was so disturbing?

He looked at her oddly.

“Mom says she prefers the old neighborhood. According to her, she’s lived between the Martinellies and Bumgardens for over twenty years, why should she move and start all over?”

“That’s nice. That’s part of the reason I didn’t move far from home when—”

Emma stopped abruptly. She was so conscious of her body’s reaction to Logan she could hardly concentrate. Lily didn’t live anywhere near their father’s home. Fortunately Logan didn’tfind anything amiss from her statement. Distance must mean something different in California.

“I wanted to provide more for her than that old place. But she won’t budge. I send her money, and she has some nice things in the house, and a man to come cut the grass in that postage-stamp yard. But she’s content there. So I have to accept that. At least she isn’t trying to grab everything she can and spend money like it’s water,” he finished.

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