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“Are you kidding, I—”
Dakota clamped her mouth shut. She was about to confess that she had come to visit, but stopped before she could humiliate herself by telling him the truth. She would never admit that she did go to see him, but that when she reached his dorm room and a friend let her in, she discovered Logan in bed with another woman. That’s when her heart had shattered into a heap at her feet, and she realized that she had loved Logan—and lost him. She swore he would never know the extent of her pain, or heartbreak. That one kiss they shared before he left was their first…and last.
“You what?”
“Nothing,” she said quickly. “You’re right. I’m the bad guy here.”
“I never said that.”
“I didn’t come see you when I could have. Truth is, I found myself very unmotivated to travel across the country to see a man who didn’t want to be in the same city with me.”
It bothered her, being so affected by their busted-up friendship. It should have been water under the bridge—too many things had occurred since he left. He was absent when she needed him most. To see him now after so many years of silence was like a well-placed chisel chipping away at a wall of ice.
“It wasn’t that, Dakota. I…wanted to see you. I never stopped wanting to see you.”
“Yeah? Well, your actions spoke way louder than words, Logan.”
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his legs. “Koty, I know that I hurt you…terribly, and that I can never fix what I…threw away. And I get that you don’t want to see me, but I’m here to make things right between us.”
“How do you propose to do that, Logan?” she scoffed. “A time machine?”
“I’d use it if I had one. Since I don’t, I need you to hear me out. I’ve got an idea that could be advantageous—to both of us.”
Dakota crossed her arms in front of her. If she was going to be fed a line, she wanted to be good and comfortable. “Fine, Logan, let’s hear it.”
“I want to hire you to renovate my resorts.”
“Your resorts? I thought your parents were still at the helm.”
He shook his head. “They stepped down a few months ago and put me in charge. Dad still runs Montague, but I’m the new CEO of Belle Resorts.”
“Great for you, but why do you want me?”
“You’re the only one I’ve ever wanted.”
Her eyebrow arched upward. “You could’ve fooled me.”
“For this job,” he explained. “Your caliber of expertise is just what Belle Cove needs to introduce her to a whole new demographic. She has to change with the times, Dakota. Right now we’re viewed as too elitist, and unapproachable. If we’re to prosper, we need more overall appeal. While still remaining luxurious, of course.”
She shook her head. “I can’t believe you want me to work for you.”
“I do, but more important, given our history…can you work for me?”
Dakota pondered all the ramifications to herself and her business. It was a no-brainer. Business trumped heart, every time. Dakota’s gaze connected with his. “Yes.”
Relief suffused his face. Logan stood up. “I’m glad to hear that. I thought you’d throw me out on my ear.”
“I considered it.”
Logan headed to the door, and Dakota followed.
“I just want you to know that I believe that eventually, we can get past our differences.”
Dakota looked skeptical. “Only time will tell.”
* * *
Later that evening, Logan was at his condo going over his discussion with Dakota. Their initial meeting after years of silence had not gone exactly to plan. Somehow, he thought that time would have mellowed both of them, but he was wrong. Dead wrong. Surprisingly, Dakota was still angry at him. It was true that he had severed all ties unexpectedly and completely, but Logan was not without remorse. He wanted so much more, and leaving her had damn near killed him, but he always held out hope that they could reconnect.
Though they were best friends, Logan had developed feelings for her early on. When she had begun dating, and found her first boyfriend, Logan was upset at his hesitation at declaring those feelings. His jealously had directly resulted in his betraying that friendship—and her.
There were hundreds of times he wanted to confess his part in the breakup with her first boyfriend, Michael, a few months before Logan left, but something always stopped him. His heart had overruled his head and better judgment. It gave him hope that Dakota could return his feelings. It was a small chance, but he had allowed the seed to grow inside his heart. He reasoned that she would be free, and then he would confess his love to her in hopes that they could have a relationship.
