“I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Logan. Sleep well.”
“You too, baby.”
Chapter 9
Banner
One week later
I’m still in New York, and now more than ever, I’m itching to get back to Gold Haven. Sorting out Myrna’s estate has taken multiple meetings with lawyers followed by meetings with financial advisers, and then there was the never-ending packing up of her apartment and my own business to run while I did it all.
My phone rings as I flop onto the bed in my hotel room after a long freaking day finishing up with the designer who is redecorating Myrna’s apartment. I don’t recognize the number, but I answer it anyway because the area code is Gold Haven’s.
“Hello?”
“Damn, girl. You ever planning on coming back?”
The voice is familiar, but it takes me a few seconds to place it. “Julianne?”
“Who the hell else would it be? Did you suddenly make a bunch of friends in town that I don’t know about?”
“Not exactly. But I’m coming back. Hopefully really soon.”
“You might want to speed up your plans because the vultures are circling over your man. I don’t know if it’s because they sense he’s a wounded animal, ready to be taken down, or if they’re just desperate to get their last shot in before you show up again.”
I stiffen. “Excuse me?”
“Gold Haven’s finest are cornering him in the grocery store, and tromping in and out of his shop so often, it’s a wonder the man has gotten a damn thing done.”
With Julianne’s vantage point from her salon across the street, I have to believe she’s telling the truth.
“Bitches,” I mumble under my breath.
“Definitely bitches. So I figured I’d give you the heads-up, because you know Logan, he’s too damn nice to tell them to leave him the hell alone in a way they’re going to take to heart.”
“What do you mean?”
“The only thing Emmy Harris has ever set her sights on that she hasn’t locked down is the new-and-improved Logan Brantley, and she’s not backin’ off without a fight. I’m pretty sure she built that house hoping he’d be moving into it with her someday soon.”
Red rage fills my vision. “What the hell doesn’t she understand about the wordtaken?”
“Girl, you’re out of sight and out of mind for her, so you better believe she doesn’t see it that way. I wanted you to know that it might be in your best interest to get your ass back here so you can stake your claim before she finds some way to snake him out from under you without him realizing it.”
Even though Julianne can’t see it, I prop a hand on my hip, my pose screamingWARNING:ATTITUDEAHEAD.“Logan doesn’t want her. He wants me.”
“But that didn’t stop her from faking a pregnancy and getting a ring from the homecoming king three weeks after graduation.”
“What?” Shock slams into me.
“She’s a slippery bitch, and even though that didn’t work out the way she planned, I wouldn’t put anything past her when it comes to Logan.”
“I’ll be back by the end of the week.”
“I wouldn’t wait too long. See you soon, Banner. Oh, and can you bring me back one of those New York Fire Department T-shirts? And maybe one of those shirtless firemen too? The ones in the calendars. Wait, never mind. Firemen are assholes. Bring me an NYPD shirt and a sexy cop.”
I laugh, but it sounds forced. Probably because I want to accidentally knock Emmy Harris into a ditch. With my car.
“I’ll see what I can do.”