Page 50 of Switching Places

She looked at Logan and pointed to the living room. Quickly walking away, she hoped he couldn’t hear her part from there.

“Emma, is something wrong?”

“No.”

She wanted to hang up, but that would cause more problems than it would solve. Silence stretched out for several seconds.

“Are you alone?” Lily’s voice dropped several notches.

“No.”

Lily’s laughter was soft.

“I’m shocked. I thought you were the shy sister. You have some man in my house?”

Lily’s voice held amusement and a hint of surprise.

“Yes,” Emma said, turning to look out the window.

“Let me guess, someone you met since you’ve been to California. It didn’t sound like your dentist would chuck everything and follow you out.”

“He’s notmydentist anymore.”

“Oh? My, my. That was fast. What happened?”

“It just wasn’t right, I guess.”

“If you can’t talk, I understand, but I’ll be home first chance I get. I want to hear all about this,” Lily said.

“I’ll see you then.”

Emma hung up, trying desperately to remember the gist of the conversation. She hadn’t given anything away, had she? But the strain of the call played on her nerves. Slowly she returned to the kitchen.

“Who was that?” he asked.

“Someone who had a question about a dentist,” she replied.

That was fast. What happened?her sister had asked. Logan happened, Emma realized. And she didn’t have a clue how to deal with it.

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.

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