Page 85 of Sapphire Sunset

Logan looked to Connor’sclosed office door. Inside, Connor was meeting with Jonas Jacobs about the twoupcoming conferences poised to save the hotel’s bacon. The low murmur of theirvoices continued, indicating they hadn’t heard Donnie’s accusations.

“I didn’tfuckhim,okay?” Logan said. “So relax.”

“Aw, that’s so sweet. What’dyou guys do instead? Snuggle and write your initials inside hearts?”

“I’m sorry, fuckhead, but dowe live on a planet where you’ve never slept with one of your models?’CauseI don’t remember you having some huge dividing linebetween sex and work, porn star.”

“I don’t sleep with mymodels.”

“That’s right. You wait untilat least two days after their last shoot with you.”

Suddenly, Donnie grimaced andgrunted at the same time. “Crap. Listen. Tell your dad I’m sorry I can’t make histhing tonight. Before the Sapphire shit storm here, I thought I’d have time topack all the gear for the Mexico shoot today, but since I was here I didn’t—”

“Histhing.” Logangripped his forehead. “Dammit, I totally forgot.”

Every year on the anniversaryof opening his first Chip’s Kicks location, his dad got some of their closefriends together for a celebratory dinner. Tonight was that anniversary. Thecrowd wasn’t supposed to be that big: two of his dad’s closest friends, Jed andPetey, who’d both helped him knock out drywall at his first location; the womanJed had started dating a few weeks ago, who was meeting the group for the firsttime; and Donnie, who was technically Logan’s obligatory plus one, given hisdad still referred to him privately as Porn Donnie or Your Porn Friend. Therewere other bigger dinners and parties throughout the year for the gym’s managementand staff, but tonight’s was about the people who were in his dad’s life whenit changed course for the better. A tiny group, and any absence, especiallyLogan’s, would be hard felt.

“Connor’lllet you go,” Donnie offered.

“I’m not letting Connor out ofmy sight.”

“Dude. It was one hookup, andhe’s been back a day. Maybe slow your roll.”

“No, man. Rodney’s out thereoff his damn rocker, getting his ass handed to him in the press. I’m notletting him walk around unprotected.”

“Also, you’re banging him,”Donnie said.

“I’m not just banging him.I’m picking up where we left off. Finally.”

Donnie stared at him. He waseither holding back a smart comment or trying to come up with one.

“All right,” Logan finallysaid, “tell me what you really think. No bullshit.”

“You don’t have to tell methat he’s the one you’ve never been able to get out of your head. Believe me, Iknow. I’m the one who’s there when you bring him up as this perfect guy who gotaway. And honestly, I’d always hoped something like this would happen. I mean,not like this, but that he’d come back. And to bereallyhonest, Ikind of thought that might be the only reason you stayed here after they passedyou over for the promotion.”

Maybe it was. But only inpart, and Logan didn’t want to butt in to argue nuance when Donnie was givinghim real talk.

“It’s also why I stopped tryingto set you up with anybody. I knew a part of you froze over after him, and youwere either going to have to see him again and realize he wasn’t what youremembered or get another shot. And I want this to be a second chance for youguys. I really do. But it’s only been twenty-four hours. Don’t lose your head yet.”

“Okay.”

“And figure out the thingwith your dad tonight.”

Connor and Jonas emerged fromhis office. Jonas smiled and nodded in their direction, then gave Donnie aquick once-over. Jonas was perhaps one of the most private employees at SapphireCove. The idea that he might be familiar with Donnie’s work was newinformation, indeed.

Then Jonas was gone, andDonnie was approaching Connor with one hand extended. “Well, Mr. Harcourt, asmuch as I’m grateful for this exciting peek into the hospitality industry, I’mafraid I must now return to the hallowed halls of man-on-man on-camera action.”

Connor sputtered with laughteras he shook Donnie’s hand.

“I take it we’ve replaced youwith someone with a comparable personality,” Connor said, but it was directedat Logan.

“I’m not sure that’s possible,”Logan said. “The personality part, anyway. But we’ve got coverage.”

“Now remember the rules whenit comes to Logan, Mr. Harcourt.”

Logan took a step toward them.“Donnie, let’s just—”

“Don’t feed him aftermidnight. Don’t insult the United States Marine Corps. Don’t make fun of histattoo, even though it’s dumb. And do not, under any circumstances, let himpick the music in the car, because he’s got garbage taste.”

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