Diamonds & Desire: The Priceless Collection (14 page)

“Yeah. I’ll catch up with you later.” Brad sauntered back to his office.

Not long after Brad departed, Ahn Li, his VP of Human Resources stuck her head in his doorway after a brief knock. When he gestured for her to come in, she sashayed in his office and propped a hip on the corner of his desk. “Bend your ear for a moment?”

The last thing he felt like doing was making any small talk with her; he was in beast mode for work and still trying to review the P&L. “What can I do for you?” he asked distractedly.

“Just wanted to stop by and say hello. Haven’t seen you since last week,” she said with a hint of a smile in her voice. “What’s new with you?”

“Nothing’s new.”

“You were noticeably absent on Friday.”

He resisted the urge to sigh. When did his absence not go unnoticed? Never. “Yes, and now I have a mountain of work to do. We’ll have to chat later if there’s nothing work-related to share.”

Her pink lips curved before she smoothly made her exit. “Sounds good.”

What is with everybody today?

Throughout the rest of the morning, he had to deal with a few more people stopping in to “say hello” and ask how his weekend went. Had it been a normal occurrence over the years, he would have thought nothing of it, but now he was beginning to wonder if his whole company had the details of his weekend in Las Vegas and were fishing for details. As if it was anyone’s business but his own. The only person at Savant Financial Group who knew for sure was Ashtyn, but he trusted she would never reveal his personal schedule. Her loyalty, understanding of privacy, and aversion to gossip were just a few of the reasons she made such an outstanding executive assistant, and why, after four years, he felt grateful to have found her.

Neil knew too and although he had a tendency to blurt out inappropriate remarks and ask questions, he would never share Logan’s business either. Same thing went for his travel personnel: Tom, and his pilot, were both extremely discreet.

So what the hell was going on?

The meeting commenced at nine as always and he was acutely aware of the curious stares around the table, but he refused to acknowledge any of them.

He had work to do. They had work to do.

When Neil appeared at his doorway a few minutes before one o’clock. He shuffled some papers together then stood. “Should’ve called first. I’m up to my eyeballs. Can’t do lunch.”

Neil grinned, shaking his finger at him before closing the door. “Oh yes you can, you maniac.”

“What?”

His friend raised a brow, tucking his hands in his pockets. “How was the trip to Sin City? Exciting? Dare I ask…life changing?”

Logan frowned. Not him, too. “What in God’s name is happening around here? My weekend was fine. Did you tell anyone about that, by the way?”

“Of course not,” Neil answered with an insulted wince. “However, plenty of people might know about it now.”

“Apparently, and I don’t why anyone cares.”

Neil snorted. “You don’t know why everyone cares that Logan Savant apparently got married?”

Chapter Twelve

A silent boomed dropped. Logan jerked his gaze to Neil’s. “Come again?”

Neil studied him for a few beats then blew out a relieved breath. “I knew it wasn’t true.” Plopping down in a chair, Neil set his polished shoes on the desk corner and leaned back, hands intertwined on his stomach. “You should sit down. You look like you got hit with a hammer.”

Logan eased in his chair. “Did you just tell me that everyone thinks I got married this weekend?”

“That’s right, my friend.” Neil pulled out his cell phone. “I think we’ll call in for lunch today.”

“What the...how could...” He threw up his hands. “Just because I went to Vegas everyone thinks I eloped?”

Neil was already connected to one of the Italian delivery bistros to respond right away, simply giving Logan a shake of his head before ordering two specials-of-the-day. A minute later, he hung up and tucked his phone in his breast pocket. “It wasn’t an assumption just because you took a trip to Vegas with Miss Shaw. The rumor started because someone said they were there when you did it.”

Logan made a sound of derision, though this situation was anything but trivial. What a manufactured lie. Someone was spreading a rumor he’d eloped, and although it would easily prove to be false, he didn’t appreciate being the center of gossip. In fact, he hated nothing more. “Who could’ve possibly started something so ridiculous?” Now, now, a voice in the back of his mind reminded. Not that ridiculous. He and Jordana had been a fake married couple in Vegas and somehow it’d followed them home.

Neil shrugged. “I couldn’t find out the main source. That’s why I’m here. Thought you would know immediately.”

Who knew how far the rumor had already circulated if it had already reached his company. Though he would put a stop to it at once, he resented the fact he’d have to spend even an ounce of energy doing so. He cared little of what people thought, but knew even when the facts were straight, more conjecture would follow.

“When did you hear about this?” he asked, determined to find out as many details of the beginning so he could quickly get to the end.

“This morning. Miranda’s mom heard it last night. I’m surprised Miranda didn’t call you first.”

He couldn’t connect the link. “My phone has been ringing nonstop since yesterday. I’m sure Miranda’s backlogged in my missed calls somewhere.”

Without warning, the door swooshed open and Deidre Savant haughtily sailed in with her tailored white suit and diva, commanding presence. Even Neil was a little intimidated by her, jerking his feet off the desk and smoothing his tie as she approached Logan’s desk.

Ashtyn cast Logan an apologetic look his way and he waved her off with an understanding nod before she closed the door.

No doubt his mother had gotten wind of the rumor as well and came to battle with him on its accuracy. Literally. Battle.

“Logan.” She stopped, stuffing her clutch under an arm, standing with an erectness of a general. “I’m not one of those mothers who insist on calling her only child every day just to see if he’s still breathing. I give you space to live your own life, don’t I? I extend invitations that are warranted and don’t even expect you to accept half of them. In summary, I don’t command to know every excruciating detail of how you live your life.” Her voice began to rise in volume. “Be that as it may, I cannot abide you ignoring my calls with such a maddening disregard. Especially when you have done something as capricious and unfathomable as eloping with a woman no one has ever heard of!”

Like a whip had cracked through the air, Neil flinched, sent Logan an empathetic look and silently excused himself.

“Mother, take a breath. And please sit down,” Logan directed with a calm tone.

She complied, her perfume clouding around him as she gracefully perched on the chair with an arched brow.

“First, I didn’t elope,” he said, taking a seat.

“Then why did you go to Las Vegas?”

“I went there to attend a wedding.”

“And the woman you took with you?”

“The bride was her sister. Other than standing in as a witness, I had no part in the vows.” For the moment, he wasn’t sure what label he should give Jordana. Especially to his mother who had a hard time staying out of his personal business. A very hard time. She pretended she only wanted the best for him, but he knew it was just a form of control now that his father wasn’t around to bother.

His mother’s eyes closed in relief. “Oh. Thank the Lord.”

“I don’t know how this got started—”

“Libby called me Saturday evening,” she cut him off, “shrilling in my ear that my son got married and wondered why on earth I wasn’t there and why she hadn’t been invited. In the end, she suspected you could only do something so outrageous without my knowledge.” Logan almost closed his eyes with regret while his mother went on. “When I demanded she explain, she said you were being introduced around the party as Mr. and Mrs. Savant. She hadn’t been sure at first she heard correctly, but the second time she had no doubt. That you allowed yourself to be introduced as a married couple and that the girl was wearing a wedding ring as well.”

He had completely forgotten his run-in with Libby. She must have overheard the Redgraves introduce him and Jordana to their friends. No wonder she gave him such a look and remarked about being out of the loop: she thought he had gotten married in secret.

Damn shame she didn’t simply ask him before calling his mother and who knew how many others. It would have saved him this crap storm. Looks like he was paying the price for his winsome charade.

His mother would never comprehend why he’d think it would be amusing to pretend to be married, so he added, “Well, somehow the rumor had evolved she was actually there to see me get married, so now I know how twisted gossip can really get in forty-eight hours. For Pete’s sake, Mom. I can’t believe you gave Libby’s story any validation without talking to me. Do you think I would casually decide to get married out of nowhere? Libby was mistaken, that’s all.”

“Hm. She can be a bit of a scatterbrain, especially when she drinks champagne. In any case, she said you looked completely enamored with the girl,” his mother mused, her eyes slitting with cold questioning. “Who is she?”

One would think his mother would be overjoyed to hear he was interested in someone new, since girlfriends were few and far between these past couple years, and she longed for a grand wedding and a grandchild.

But not Deidre Savant.

First she had to know name, background, and social value. Aggravating as shit. “All you need to know is that she’s...she’s...” His mind drifted off with his gaze as he thought of a litany of expressive words to describe the woman who had him whistling this morning. Nonetheless, this was his mother he was talking to. “She’s great. She works in medicine and has a talent for creative writing. You’d like her.”

Her blank stare and the hollow noise coming from her throat said otherwise. “Let me decide if I like her. What’s her name?”

“Jordana.”

“Jordana what?”

“Why do you need her last name? So you can run a credit check?”

“Don’t be snide. I don’t understand why you won’t tell me. Is she a wanted criminal?” At his look of reproach, she added, “Well then, I think it’s strange to reduce her to a first name. Must not be that special to you.”

“Jordana Shaw,” he clipped.

She brightened. “Relation to Mitchell Shaw? The shipping magnate?”

“No relation.” He was definitely done with this conversation, and he knew just how to bring it to a screeching halt. “Have you talked to Dad lately?”

As he hoped, Deidre pushed up from her seat with deep inhalation then exhaled long, as if finding the strength to stand the mention of her ex-husband. “No. Last I heard your father was seeing a girl twenty years his junior from Laguna Beach. Not that I pay attention to his never-ending succession of playthings. Everyone always assumes I want to hear it. Whatever gives them that idea, I haven’t the faintest.” She bent over and brushed a kiss to his cheek before leaving his office. “I’ll see you at Marguerite’s party.”

As she walked out, Neil came in, carrying the lunch and arranging it on his desk. The smell of marinara and garlic filled Logan’s office. “You need sustenance.”

Logan rose from his chair. “I need Scotch.”

***

“Do you think your stud would mind if we threw in a pair of Tom Ford loafers for me?” Jordana’s best guy friend Casey asked, admiring the polished brown shoes on his feet.

Jordana sent an amused, chiding look to him as she pulled on her boots. She’d just spend two hours trying on what felt like a hundred different dresses at Saks Fifth Avenue with a personal shopper. She’d balked at the thought of going solo and invited Casey. Who better than her good friend and neighbor for company? Her fun, fashion-forward pal hadn’t hesitated to join her on this paid-for venture.

“Casey, as much as I love you, you can’t charge thousand dollar shoes to this already outrageous bill.”

“They’re on sale for six-hundred,” he argued with a pout then winked at her. “That’s a bargain.”

And nothing she’d bought came close to a bargain. According to Ashtyn, Logan had instructed she buy a dress for each of the parties they were to attend and the shoes and whatever accessories she needed to go with them. She only required three. Jordana wasn’t entirely comfortable with him footing the bill, but he’d insisted.

She couldn’t afford to buy more than one designer dress on her own, and it wasn’t as if she could purchase anything from her usual stores. However, she still wasn’t going to allow him to pay for all of it. Though no millionaire, she had a decent sum in her checking account. Plus Adam just paid her back the money she’d loaned him—he and Lucee actually won a few thousand at the craps table in Vegas, not lost as she’d feared—so she had plenty of room to pay her credit card.

After taking off the loafers and fitting on his cherished Sketchers, Casey set his lanky form in the chaise across from her, flinging on an arm on top. Dressed in slim fit jeans, v-neck shirt, vintage jackets, thick leather bracelets and sneakers, he owned his style. With his pomp haircut and kind brown eyes, he was a poster child for trendy millennials. “I’m still drooling over the story of how you and Logan met. How he gave you that necklace. Seduced you in Vegas. Gave props about your kiddie books. We should double date sometime. Maybe he has a hot messenger boy he can hook me up with. When do I get to meet him?”

She laughed, then glanced behind her as the personal shopper, Eliza, prepared the gowns in garment bags. “Not sure. He’s been swamped at work ever since we got back. I haven’t seen him since Sunday.”

“What happened to your lunches?”

“Not this week,” she sighed, missing Logan. His candor, his kisses, his arms around her. They’d spoken on the phone, late at night, but nothing compared to being with him. Visions of their lovemaking replayed in her mind and she ached for it. Just a couple more days…

“Earth to Jordana.” Casey waved his hand. “Geez, you are smitten. It’s been a long time since you’ve blushed like that. It’s a good look for you.”

With hot cheeks, she grabbed her purse and searched for her lip balm. “I’m still in shock about last weekend.”

“That you’re a millionaire’s hot new lover or that Lucee got married?”

“Both.” She squirmed on the seat. “And when you say it like that, it sounds, well, not like me. I’ve never been anyone’s lover before. Sounds exotic, which we both know I’m not.”

“Silly rabbit. You don’t need to be exotic to be someone’s lover. And from what you’ve told me, he can’t get enough of you. I can’t believe my bestie is having a fling with Logan Savant!”

Jordana’s cheeks flamed. “Casey. No need to shout it out to the world. And don’t call it a fling. Makes it sound…cheap.”

“Oh. You want more than a fun fling with this man?”

Her heart whispered yes, her head said no. “I haven’t figured out what I want exactly. He’s the first guy I’ve gotten involved with since my last relationship crashed and burned and blew to ashes. Anyway, doesn’t feel like a casual thing. It feels deeper than that.” At least, it did for her. But maybe that was just something players had a knack for. She brushed that disheartening thought aside.

“Hmm. For your sake, I hope he isn’t just using you. Straight men keep it mysterious about what they want. A constant guessing game.” He turned an observant eye on her. “You’re pretty gaga for him, aren’t you? If I were you, I’d tread carefully with expressing my feelings. Sounds like you’re more friends-with-benefits to me, but Mr. Right Now can totally turn into Mr. Right. Whatever it is, embrace it, Jordana. Hot affairs are underrated.”

“Maybe a hot affair is exactly what I want. Something exciting, mysterious, and purely sexual. Nothing like what I had with Zack.”

“Barf. Don’t spoil our afternoon talking about your ex-fiancé.” Casey crossed his arms and made a face, casting off his gaze. “But now that you’ve brought him up...”

Jordana’s heart seized, and she sensed Casey was about to tell her something she didn’t want to hear. He used to work with her ex. That’s how she met him. She’d accompanied Casey to a happy hour and Zack had been there. Felt like a lifetime ago. A different time. A different her. “Are you going to keep me in suspense, Case? Because I’d rather change the subject unless there’s something vital to share.”

Unable to keep a secret, her friend uncrossed his arms and leaned his elbows on his knees. “I didn’t want to tell you, but I have a feeling you’ll find out anyway and I’d rather you hear the news from me. Zack sent an email to the boss asking if he there was a possibility of getting his job back.”

Her brows shot up. Less than a year later and he’d apparently had his fill of life overseas. A little surprised, but not overly so, she asked, “How long have you known?”

“I found out yesterday. Sounds like that joker is looking to slink into his old life.” Casey leveled his gaze. “You know that might include trying to get you back.”

Shaking her head, she straightened with renewed strength. “I doubt it. We haven’t spoken since he left. Just because he’s checking to see if he’d have a job waiting doesn’t mean he’ll contact me, too.”