Page 52 of Switching Places

“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 flyto 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 sheimagined 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.

The long driveway leading up to the huge house was crowded with cars when they arrived. Logan slipped the Mercedes into a slot not too far from the house. As they walked to the front door Emma noticed the air seemed warmer than at the beach.

He pushed the doorbell. The noise inside and drifting around from the back virtually assured no one would hear the chimes. Opening the door, Logan motioned for Emma to precede him.

She stepped inside, looking around at the eclectic array of furniture and paintings. Traditional and Early American blended with chrome-and-leather modern. The pictures on thewalls ranged from what looked like a kindergartner’s first rendition to a fine reproduction of a Monet. It was only a quick impression, however, for she was immediately enveloped in a bear hug by a huge, shaggy man.

“Hello, beautiful woman. I knew you would come into my life someday.”

“Knock it off, Phil. The lady’s taken,” Logan said.

The man stepped back in surprise. “Taken? By who? You?”

“You have a problem with that?” Logan asked easily.

He pulled Emma closer, encircling her shoulders with one arm in a decidedly masculine staking of a claim.

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