Chapter 140
Alyssa
The next morning, I left Logan sleeping on his bed, dressed, and gave him a light kiss on the forehead, careful not to wake him. He rolled over, smiling, and hugged his pillow. I loved watching him sleep. I hated to leave him, and wished I could climb back into bed with him, but I had appointments on the book. Since I had moved to New York, word had spread quickly and business was booming. A twinge of guilt pulled at my chest, because I knew a lot of it had to do with Curt.
Eying the notepad and pen on Logan's dresser, I quickly scribbled a note.
My Dearest Logan:
Thanks for dinner. I especially liked the 'main course'. Come to my place for dinner tonight and no complaining about my cooking! LOL!
Until Then,
Allie
It was funny. He was the one who started calling me Allie, but he was the only one who called me that all the time. Somehow, it fit. Carrying my shoes, I quickly rushed down the hallway and headed to my apartment. Then, I showered and dressed in a light gray suit dress with a peach blouse open at the neck, and blew my hair dry smooth, letting it curl under just below my shoulders. I quickly applied my makeup, donning my "business" look, and then headed out the door.
I walked into the office a short while later, and Lynn waved to me as I passed by her desk, then she turned her attention back to the conversation she was having with a client on the phone. I looked at my desk clock, and I had a few minutes before my first client came in at nine.
A thought occurred to me as I picked up the phone and dialed Alanna's office and then her direct extension.
"Law Offices of Collins and Keel," Alanna said in her professional voice.
I smiled to myself. "And here I thought you'd change the name after I left to Keel and Collins."
She laughed. "Well, I was thinking of it, but Collins and Keel has a certain ring to it."
I smiled into the phone, not realizing just how much I'd missed her until that moment. "It's good to hear your voice."
"What? Tired of New York already?" she teased.
"Hell no! In fact, I called to check up on you, to make sure that you're going to work every day," I teased.
"Yeah, yeah!" She laughed into the phone. "Now, I've been having to coming in extra early and stay extra late, thank you very much!"
"I miss you, too," I said as a pang of guilt ran through me. Then, I realized that she was an hour behind me. "You have me beat. You're in the office at seven-thirty?"
She laughed. "Well, someone around here has to work!"
I laughed, and then suddenly grew quiet
There was a moment's pause on the other end. "Okay, spill. What's up?" she asked.
I scoffed. "What are you talking about?" I asked, feigning innocence.
She huffed into the phone. "Hey! It's me you're talking to! I always know when something's on your mind. Now, spill!"
I laughed, adjusting the phone to the other ear, and then leaned back, settling in for a good heart to heart. "It's Logan."
"Has he broken your heart all over again? If I ever see that bastard, I'm going to castrate him!"
"Whoa, there, Lorena Bobbitt!" I said. "It's not that at all. It's just the opposite."
I could hear her smile on the other end. "So, everything's going well?"
I laughed. "Yeah. Really well."
She scoffed. "Then, what's the problem?"
I let out a deep breath. "What if he doesn't feel the same way about me?"
"I'll kill him-making it look like an accident, of course-and then you'll go on with your life," she said, matter of fact.
"Come on. Be serious," I said, unable to keep from laughing.
She huffed. "I am, except for the killing him part. I don't want to be framed for murder over this conversation."
"Your secret's safe with me. I'll take it to the grave, so to speak."
She laughed. "No, seriously. Just wait and see what happens. He's the love of your life, right?"
I nodded, even though she couldn't see. "Yes, of course."
"Well, then? See where it goes. Who knows? He's probably just as in love with you as you are."
"I'm not in love with me."
"Yes, you are, but your secret's safe with me."
I laughed. "I've missed you."
She sighed. "Yeah. Me, too."
"Hey. I have an idea!"
"Uh oh "
I laughed. "Logan invited me to a fundraiser. You want to be my plus one?"
She let out a deep breath. "Yeah. That's all I need. To be the third wheel. When is this shindig, anyway?"
I cringed. "Christmas Eve."
"What?!" Her voice raised several octaves.
"Yeah, I know, but you can plan on spending more Christmases at home, throwing darts at Santa's picture later." It was her tradition every Christmas, no matter whom she was with. She would wait until midnight and then would throw darts at a picture of Santa, taped to a dart board. Her parents were dead and I guess she had spent too many Christmases alone, since she had no siblings, either. That was why I had always dragged her out of the house with me to my parents' house or to Greer's over the years. But no matter what, she kept up her Santa-dart-throwing ritual. Old habits die hard, I guess. "Come with me. I need you."
"That's what you always say."
An evil lilt appeared in my voice, knowing exactly how to tempt her. "I'm going shopping for a dress," I said in a sing-song tone.
"So?" I had piqued her interest.
"And you can pick out a dress, too." I continued with the sing-song tone.
"I'm broke." She was far from broke. Her parents had left her wealthy when they died and she had accumulated much more working as a lawyer.
"I have Logan's credit card," I said, knowing just how to tempt her.
She said nothing.
"And I can buy us both dresses. I'm sure he won't mind."
Nothing.
"And it has no limit "
"Well, then! Why didn't you say so?"
