Love by Design - Page 33
“I’ll try, but…it’s hard.”
“I know,” Susan replied before she left.
Great. She glanced down at her laptop. She was in distress, and Susan was right. She was just spinning her wheels and not going anywhere.
Dakota grabbed her purse and walked out of her office. “I’m going to be gone for a while, Suzy. If anyone calls—”
“I’ll say you had an appointment.”
Dakota hugged her. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
Dakota could feel Susan watching her as she left. “Good luck,” she heard her friend say softly.
* * *
The contents of the last moving box were finally put away. He was officially moved in. Logan glanced out the living room window over Lake Michigan. The view alone had sold him on his new condo. That and the north, south and east exposure. In each room, the entire wall was windows boasting unparalleled views of the city, lake and Lincoln Park. Logan sat down on the couch with his legs out in front of him. It was time for a housewarming. Maybe he would invite the guys over to watch a Bulls game.
Guys? What guys? Since he was out of touch with the people he knew before going off to college, his uncle Cliff, Adrian and his friends, Justin and Ivan, were it.
Maybe a party? He knew his aunt would be more than happy to help him pull something together.
Logan was about to call her when the phone rang. He leaned forward and picked it up from the coffee table.
“Hello? Really? Yes, I do. Sure. Thank you.”
Logan hung up from speaking to the doorman, and bolted off the couch. He spun around 360 degrees to survey the area. Everything was in place. With a sigh of relief, he glanced in a nearby mirror, and decided to go change his shirt.
When his doorbell rang, Logan went to open it.
“Dakota.”
“Hi, Logan. May I come in?”
“Yeah, sure.” He stepped aside. “Welcome to my humble abode.”
* * *
Dakota tried in vain to keep the surprise out of her voice. His humble abode was a lakeview condo in one of the most sought-after residential buildings in Chicago. “This is an incredible apartment, and killer view.”
“Thanks.”
“I hope you don’t mind me coming by.”
“No, of course not.” Logan motioned to the couch. “Please, make yourself comfortable.”
She followed him and sat down.
“Can I get you anything? I don’t have much by way of food. I haven’t done any real grocery shopping yet, but I do have soda, water, iced tea and beer.”
“Water would be fine.”
She looked around while she waited. From what she had seen so far, the furnishings were very high end. The hardwood floors were wide-planked Brazilian cherry. Since it was an open floor plan, it made the space seem enormous. With a wall of windows and neutral decor, it was bright and inviting.
“Here you go.”
She accepted the Pellegrino. “I thought you only drank this on your plane?”
He grinned. “Nope.”
They sat down on the sectional couch. Logan turned sideways to face her.
“I’m surprised to see you. Not that I didn’t appreciate your keeping me in the loop with emails.”
She shifted uncomfortably. “You’re right, and it’s completely my fault.”
“No, it isn’t. I guess I get under your skin sometimes.”
“I think the problem is that you never left. I’ve been carrying around all this baggage for the longest time. I know it must be confusing, but it’s not all you.”
“Would it be better for you if I got someone else to do the renovations on Belle Cove? It’s obvious I never should’ve put you in this position and I—”
“No,” Dakota said quickly. “Unless you’re unhappy with my work?”
“Of course not. I loved your design briefing, and there’s nothing I’d change. I want you at the helm of the renovations, Dakota, I always have, but I don’t want you to be stressed out having to work with me. I’ve caused you enough pain.”
“You’ve been nothing but patient since our flight home. I’ve been totally unprofessional, and I apologize, Logan.”
“There’s no need. Though I would like us to be able to circumvent this…impasse.”
“Me, too. That’s why I came. To apologize, and to explain some things.”
“Okay.”
“First I need to know why you sabotaged my relationship with Michael.”
He took a deep breath and sat back against the seat cushions. “I never thought he was worthy of you. Ultimately, I realized that wasn’t my call to make, but back then, I was arrogant enough to think I knew what was best for you—who was best for you. I never should’ve interfered, and that night when we had the big argument about it—let’s just say it was the second worst night in my life.”
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