Page 20 of Everything Has Changed
I furrow my brow. “You do?”
“Of course. This is obviously something that means a lot to you. It’s everything to my mother, so knowing that she is willing to hand over her pride and joy to you says a lot. I’m talking about the Harvest Festival, of course.”
I roll my eyes, fighting against my lips threatening to tip up. “Of course. You’re right, though. This does mean a lot to me. I’m sorry if it offends you, but I really don’t need the help if your heart isn’t in it. I’ll completely understand if it’s not, but I don’t need anything potentially ruining this.”
“I promise not to.” He takes a cautious step toward me. Then another after he realizes I’m not going to bolt. “I would never want to step on toes, especially such cute ones. Whatever you need, I’ll be your guy. Just think of me as your assistant, if you want. And I also promise never to take the credit from you.”
My gaze narrows with skepticism. “What’s the catch?”
“There is none.”
I purse my lips. “Are you sure? That seems too simple, seeing as your parents clearly want you to be part of this for some bigger unknown reason.”
His hazel eyes flash. A worried look crossed his expression, but it’s gone so fast I wonder if I imagined it. “One thing you should know about the Spencers, they love optics.”
“Meaning?”
“That they want to control what the public sees so they can control the narrative. The Mayor’s son returning after being gone for years and immediately being prepped to take his seat at the head of the table looks a hell of a lot better when he’s an actively participating citizen himself.”
Unfortunately, that makes too much sense, but one thing sticks out to me.
“They?”
His head tilts in question.
“You saidtheylove optics, notwe. Do you not also love it?”
I think I already know the answer as I see a peek of my old friend shine through his face.
“Nah, Gwen. You know it was never about the show for me.”
I nod my head, nibbling on my lower lip while I find the courage to say what I want. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Anything.”
“Why now?”
Logan squints his eyes, suddenly focused on his fingers that are twisting in front of him before he drops them to his side. Burying his hands in his pockets, he looks back up at me. “Not happy to see me again?”
I fidget with the strap of my bag hanging off my shoulder. “I didn’t say that. I just remember a Logan that used to swear up and down he wouldn’t follow in his father’s footsteps. I guess things change, though, don’t they?”
This time, as the light leaves his eyes in exchange for sadness, it remains when they lock on to my gaze. “That they do, Gwenny.” Removing his right hand from his pocket, he puts it between us. When all I do is stare at him with a quirked brow, he grins and nodstoward his hand. “I guess that means we are probably overdue for an introduction, seeing as we are practically strangers now.”
I place my palm against his warm one. Our fingers grip each other, sending a pleasurable tingle up my arm.
Softly pumping them between us, he says, “I’m Logan Spencer, your new neighbor.”
He smirks, and I can’t help but give him a responding one in return.
“Gwendolyn Prescott. It’s nice to meet you.”
Our hands are still pumping between us in shallow bursts. “Likewise.”
I finally halt our extended handshake, slipping my fingers slowly from his. I point my thumb over my shoulder toward my front door. “I should probably head in. Should we meet tomorrow? Or I can still email you my ideas for the festival? You really don’t need to help if you don’t want to. We can just tell them you are if that’s what they want.”
His hand goes to his chest, and he blows out a shocked exhale. “Be careful, I might think you actually don’t want to work with me.”
“That’s not-”
