Page 62 of Switching Places

Lily unwound from the chair like a slinky cat. She crossed the kitchen floor as if she glided and threw open the door. If she was surprised to see Logan standing there almost breathing fire, she hid it well.

“Listen, lady, when you run—”

Logan caught sight of Emma and stopped dead. Narrowing his gaze, he looked at Lily, back at Emma.

“Iknewthere was something off.”

“Want to come in for coffee?” Lily asked.

He pushed past Lily and stormed across the kitchen, green fire blazing in his eyes.

“I want to talk to you,” he said.

“Logan,” Lily started.

“Not now.”

He waited until Emma stood before turning to head outside. Emma followed. Once at the top of the cliff, he turned to study her.

For a moment the only sound was the muffled crash of waves on the beach beyond the edge of the bluff.

“Want to tell me what’s going on? I suspected something was up, but I never knew you—Lily had atwinsister. What was your game? I don’t even know who you are.”

She cleared her throat and tried to push away the worry that filled her.

“I’m Emma Carter, Lily’s sister.”

“I can see you’re sisters, you’retwins.”

She nodded. “I’m sorry. Logan, listen to me.”

“And you should be sorry. I was falling for you.”

He spun around, taking several steps toward the edge of the cliff, his hands clinching into fists. “I should have known better..”

He kicked a tuft of grass.

“I didn’t mean any harm,” Emma said, stepping closer. “Truly. If you would listen, I can explain.”

He looked over his shoulder. His eyes scanned her from head to toe. Shaking his head, he half turned.

“It’s my fault. I’ve known your sister for two years. The minute I saw the terry robe I should have known it wasn’t Lily. I didn’t know her well, but every indication pointed to her being like Crystal. Once she had fancy clothes, the mundane would never suit.”

“I can explain,” Emma repeated.

“Go for it.”

She took a deep breath.

“I didn’t start out pretending to be Lily. I was surprised when you thought I was her. I mean, I’m hardly the glamorous twin. I haven’t led an exciting life. Living in a small town with my family, visiting California is probably the most exciting thing I’ll ever do. But you thought I was Lily. And I’ve always thought she led such a charmed life. I gave in to a silly impulse and didn’t correct you. I mean, you can’t imagine the lift that gave me. For once someone thought I was glamorous, exciting.”

She trailed off as she realized his expression hadn’t softened.

He looked away, the muscles in his cheek jumping as he clenched his jaw.

She had to try.

“I was caught up in the fantasy. She left almost as soon as I arrived. Lily even suggested I try on her clothes, drive her car. It was fun, playing like these things were mine, like I fit into the California life-style. When I met you, I couldn’t believe you’d give me the time of day, much less spend so much time with me.”

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