Between You and Me

“You know . . .” She hesitated, deciding whether to continue, then forged ahead. “My brothers and I, we used to think we were cursed. If you asked any of us about finding love about five years ago? We would have scoffed at you. The Harrisons had a disastrous track record.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, to begin with, our parents had a doomed, dreadful marriage, then an epically ugly divorce. My brother Charles, his first marriage was a train wreck. Then me and Brady . . . It was like the Harrison destiny to not have love in our lives.” Her voice trailed off as the waitress appeared with their appetizers. She set down a caprese salad in front of Tess and a platter of loaded potato skins before Logan.

“You really thought you were cursed?” Logan asked with a dry chuckle. “I know your brothers. You all seem too pragmatic and savvy to believe in bullshit like that.”

“Well, thanks, and you’re right. But come on, all four of us? That was a hell of a coincidence, none of us ever having relationships that worked out . . .” She reached for the salt shaker and added a dash to her plate. “Now, of course, we know it’s not the case. Over the past few years, all three of my brothers found the loves of their lives. Their true soul mates. They’re all very lucky. And very happy.”

“But not you, though,” Logan murmured.

“Nope. Guess third time, for the third brother, was the charm. Lady Luck ran out of turns for me.” Tess straightened in her chair and picked up her fork and knife. “I’m fine with that. I’m so glad they’re all happy, and I’m going to make my own happy ending when I have my baby.”

They ate quietly for a minute. Logan’s head was filled with new questions, and also new insight. He’d had enough heartbreak of his own to understand her desire to remain alone after a betrayal like that.

“Did you date at all after you and Brady split up?” he asked. “I mean, if that was years ago . . .”

“Yes. I mean, I didn’t at first, not for a while. Had to nurse that broken heart and heal. I didn’t trust. At all.” Tess took a bite of her food and moaned with pleasure. “Oh my God, this is good. I was so hungry.”

“Me too,” he admitted, grinning as he dug into his own food. “Enjoy.”

They ate in silence for another minute before Tess said, “It took me two years to start dating again, but I did. I wasn’t going to let a loser like Brady ruin the rest of my life, give him that power over my future. So yes, I dated. And I met some very nice men. And some very blah men. But none of them . . . It was nothing special. No fireworks, no real connections. And, as I’d learned the hard way, there were also men who were only interested in my last name and what it could get them. At least, after Brady, I could spot those bloodsuckers in ten seconds.”

“That’s a situation I can’t imagine having to deal with,” Logan admitted. “I don’t envy you that. Dating is hard enough. To have to wonder if anyone’s genuine, or after your money . . . That just sucks.”

“Yup.” Tess shrugged. “So . . . here I am. I tried, but the fairy tale hasn’t happened for me. And, as Brady so kindly pointed out, I’ve always wanted children. More than anything. Well, I have money, resources . . . So I’m going to make that happen on my own.”

“I almost punched him in the face when he brought that up,” Logan growled. “I wanted to, so bad.”

“I appreciate it, but he’s not worth the possible jail time.” Tess grinned wickedly. “I bet your fists could be registered as lethal weapons, from the looks of you. You hit him once, you might have killed him. Then I would’ve had to visit you in jail. And while you’re a very attractive man, I don’t think an orange jumpsuit would suit you.”

He laughed, but then said, “I could tell from one short meeting that Brady Hillman is a waste of air, a total douchebag. You were probably the best thing that ever happened to him. His loss.”

Tess merely smiled and took another bite. “I can’t believe I ran into him here of all places . . .” She shrugged again. “Whatever. Hopefully, I’ll never see him again.”