Page 24 of Switching Places

“Yeah, we’re going to eat, then plan to go dancing. Want to join us?”

“I’ll pass on the dancing, but you’re welcome to join us if you like,” Logan said, raising an eyebrow in question toward Emma.

Emma sat with a stupid smile on her face. Her heart raced as her palms grew damp. Rubbing them against her dress, she nodded and scooted over so Sally could slide into the booth beside her. Toby sat on the end while Dolly and Mark slid in to sit beside Logan. Fortunately the booth was extra large. It was cozy, but not too crowded with the six of them.

“We’ve ordered, so flag down the waitress and tell her to hold our order until yours is ready,” Logan suggested.

“What’s up?” Emma asked quickly, hoping to get someone else talking before any questions were directed her way.

She felt trapped. Somehow she had to bluff her way through this evening, or die of embarrassment.

“Nothing much. Dolly got that contract she’s been angling for,” Sally said, reaching for some of the chips.

“Great.” Emma smiled at Dolly.

“Yeah, that’s why we’re here—celebrating. I’m treating. I’ll treat you two, too.”

“Quite a coup,” Emma said, hoping she was right.

“And a nice notice to the powers that be. I see great things for me now,” Dolly said, beaming.

“You always did, kid,” Mark added before he flagged down the waitress.

Toby asked Logan about his latest project, and they all listened while he spoke briefly about his Italian trip.

Then the conversation veered to other topics. Emma felt as if she danced through a mine field. She smiled, laughed and made as many comments as she could, none that had anything specific to say. She nodded, asked questions and soon fell into the sparkling mood of the evening.

She was having fun. These people were a bit irreverent about jobs and security, but they seemed to revel in having fun andexperiencing life. They talked about vacations in Mexico, skiing in Tahoe, and a wide variety of topics concerning their different jobs. Emma’s staid life in Charlottesville seemed very quiet and dull after listening to the discussion swirling around her.

“Come dancing with us.” Sally said.

Her sleek leather outfit covered her like a second skin. Emma wondered what it would feel like to wear a leather skirt. Did Lily have one in her closet? Probably.

“Thanks, another time,” she demurred.

“Come on, Lily, it’ll be great. We’ll bring you home afterward. Logan said he couldn’t but that’s no reason you can’t come. Unless—” Suddenly Dolly looked uncertain. “Is there something going on between the two of you?” she asked.

Logan shook his head before Emma could open her mouth.

“No, just neighbors sharing dinner. We’ve come here before.”

His eyes met Emma’s and she caught her breath at the look in them.

“Right, neighbor?”

She nodded, mesmerized by the glint. Was he trying to say something with his look, or was she imagining things? She felt too uncertain, too keyed up to be sure about anything.

“I know you said you wanted to be an old lady before you took the plunge again, but I thought...maybe...” Dolly trailed off, a rueful smile on her face.

Lily looked at her and quickly picked up her cue.

“I still do. Besides—” she looked at Logan in a decidedly flirtatious manner “—Logan’s not interested.”

“In you?” Sally asked, her eyes wide.

“In me or marriage,” she replied.

All eyes focused on Logan.

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