Page 32 of Switching Places

“I slept about ten hours, came into work late. Another couple of days and I’ll be back on track.”

“Maybe you should have taken a couple of days to get acclimatized.”

“There’s too much going . Pete’s still having some minor glitches with the program in Italy. I want to be available if he needs resources from this end.”

“Have you ever shown me your studio?” she asked, clocking her head to one side.

“What an odd way to ask. If you want to see the place, I’d gladly give you a tour someday. I thought you were more interested in live actors than animated characters.”

“Is that a quote?”

It sounded like something her sister might say.

“You made it.”

Emma shrugged her shoulders, remembering her vow to enjoy her vacation. Leaning forward, she gazed into his eyes. Her heart pounded so hard she could hardly think. Could he see how nervous she felt?

“Then I would like to see it someday.”

“You’re on.”

Logan flung a few dollars on the table and took her elbow when she rose.

“Maybe next Wednesday or Thursday?” he asked.

She felt his touch to her toes. “Sounds fine with me.”

She’d make sure nothing came up to interfere.

Weaving their way through the tables and the thinning lunch crowd, they moved to the exit and into the hot afternoon sunshine.

“Where did you park?” he asked.

“Over there.”

She waved her hand in the direction of the Mustang.

Rays of brassy sunlight bounced off the buildings; the air still and dry. Emma hoped her sister had left some sunglasses in the car, it was almost too bright to see. When they reached the convertible, Logan hesitated a moment, slowly releasing her arm and turning her to face him.

“Busy Saturday night?” Logan asked.

“No.”

Truth to tell, she didn’t ever have to be busy if Logan wanted to spend some time with her. Was he going to ask her out for a date? Anticipation bubbled up.

“I’ve been invited to a barbecue. I can bring a date, want to go?”

She smiled and nodded, surprised at the giddy excitement that she felt at the casual invitation.

“Phil Mott is throwing it. He and a couple of other guys share a big house in the San Fernando Valley. It’ll take a while to get there, but should be a good party. Most of the office is going, and everyone’s bringing at least one other person, from a different line of work. So there’ll be plenty of variety.”

“In other words, I don’t have to worry about you all talking shop over my head,” she said, delighted at the invitation. He must want to spend some time with her to invite her.

“Right. But there may be plenty of studio people, so don’t you start talking shop,” he teased.

His hard palms cupped her cheeks, his thumb brushing over the soft skin.

“Cupcake, you make me wish I didn’t have to go back to the office.”

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