***
Logan held two bottles of wine in his hand and knocked on Tess’ door. He could hear laughter coming from inside her apartment. The sound made him glad he’d come.
He could have done what he wanted to do on the phone. He could have called Molly, asked if she’d be happy to combine her photos with the story he wanted to write. If she’d agreed, it would have taken ten minutes to call everyone else. But instead he’d decided to come here and talk to Tess and her friends in person. And maybe, if he was lucky, their story would fill his mind instead of the nightmares keeping him awake at night.
Tess opened the door. His eyes traveled slowly down her body, appreciating the figure-hugging bright blue silk dress she was wearing. “I didn’t realize it was a black tie event.”
He didn’t need to look at her feet to know she was wearing high heels. At six-foot-five, he wasn’t short. Tess’ eyes were almost level with his. She was grinning at him as if he was a slice of the chocolate cake she’d been going to bake.
“We’re playing dress-up.”
Heat built in parts of his body that hadn’t been switched on in years. Tess must have read his mind, or the parts of him that were turned on.
Her smile grew wider and her eyes sparkled. “You’ll have to play nurses and doctors with someone else.”
Before he could begin to appreciate where that visual could take him, Tess pulled him into the room. Molly had her camera out, snapping photos of Annie as she posed beside the large picture window in the living room.
“Tilt your head a little toward the ceiling,” Molly said.
Annie moved her head and waited patiently while Molly got the shot. She turned left, then right, until Molly was happy with what she had. Annie looked good in the pink silk dress she was wearing and he wondered why she didn’t get dressed up more often.
Tess laughed when Annie poked her tongue out at Molly. “When Molly suggested taking photos of each of the dresses for a catalog, we didn’t think she meant this. She’s set up a full blown photo shoot.”
He took another look at Annie and noticed the makeup she was wearing. Her hair had been styled in a way that didn’t look as though a bird had made a nest on her head. She looked like a model. She moved like a model. This wasn’t the over-excited woman that served him coffee and pie in jeans and a T-shirt.
After Molly had finished taking the shots she needed, Annie smiled at him and patted her hair. “Do you like my new hairstyle? Tess convinced me that shabby chic belongs in a house, not on my head. I went for the Audrey Hepburn look. What do you think?”
She turned around. The swept up hairstyle was a vast improvement on the tumble of hair she normally held together with chopsticks and hair ties. “It looks good. Sophisticated and elegant.”
Annie grinned. “Carl won’t recognize me when I turn up at the bowling alley looking like a glamour puss. I’ll change into the next dress.”
Molly glanced at Tess. “You need to do your hair and makeup.”
“I don’t need makeup. You’re not including my face in the photos.”
“You wear a pretty dress, you put makeup on. It’s an unwritten law of nature.”
Tess frowned. “It sounds like an Irish rule of nature. I’m American.”
“And I’m the photographer and I’m Irish.” Molly ignored the growl coming from Tess and turned to Logan. “Did you bring a suit?”
“Don’t trust her,” Tess said as she walked across the room. “She’s got evil intentions.”
“I do not. There’s not an evil bone in my body, but I do have a good imagination.” Molly looked at the bottles in Logan’s hands. “You brought wine? You’d make a fine addition to The Bridesmaids Club.”
Logan laughed at the mischievous grin on Molly’s face. “I’m not here to be part of your club. I’ve got something I want you to consider.”
“I don’t date and I won’t marry you. Anything else is a possibility.”
Logan smiled as he took the wine across to the kitchen counter and opened a bottle. “I’d like to write a follow-up story about what you’re doing for Connie and Dave. Would you supply the photos if I did the writing?”
“Sure. As long as you credit the photos to me, I’d be happy to help.” She glanced toward the doorway that Tess had disappeared through. “I don’t know about Annie or Sally, but Tess won’t want her face or name in the story.”
“She’s already mentioned that. Do you know why?”
“You’ll have to ask her.” Molly took the glass of wine he handed her. “Sometimes you have to be careful where you step, and this is one of those times.”
“But you’re taking her photograph?”
“She trusts me. I’ll crop and edit my pictures to tell a different story. You’ll need to do the same with your words.”
Annie and Tess walked into the living room. He was glad he wasn’t holding the wine because the bottles would have dropped to the ground. Tess looked incredible. She’d pulled her hair out of the ponytail she’d been wearing. A blonde curtain of silky hair fell to her shoulders. She’d done something to her eyes, made them bigger and bluer with a few strokes of eyeliner and shadow. Her cheeks were highlighted in a soft sweep of peach powder and her lips were tilted into a smile.
“I’ll take Tess’ photo first.” Molly picked up her light meter and took a reading. “Stand by the window. That’s it.”
Logan watched Tess twist and turn, stand in profile, then look straight into the lens of the camera. She’d zoned out, left what was happening in the rest of the room alone. She concentrated on Molly’s directions, found what Molly wanted, then worked the mood like a seasoned pro. He was beginning to think there was more to her than what she wanted everyone to believe.
Molly lowered her camera. “Logan, come over here and stand beside Tess.”
He looked at Tess, then back at Molly. “You don’t need me in the photo.”
“Sure we do. If you want to have a story to take to your editor, you’ll need a photo, something to show you’re part of the magic.”
He wasn’t looking for magic. He wanted a story.
“Think of it as an added bonus.” Molly walked toward him and grabbed his hand.
Tess looked as happy about Molly’s decision as he did.
“Stop getting all huffy, you two. It’s a photo. Nothing more, nothing less.” Molly didn’t let go of his hand.
“I’m wearing a T-shirt and jeans.” Even to his own ears he sounded desperate. Molly wasn’t listening.
“Stand beside Tess.”
Logan did as he was told.
“Not like that.” Molly sighed as she turned his shoulders. “Sideways.” She grabbed his hands and placed them on Tess’ hips. He felt her stiffen, pull away from his touch.
Molly looked at Tess and frowned. “These won’t be in the catalog. Five shots. That’s all I’ll need. I’ll give you and Logan copies so you can choose which one he uses. I’d like one of them for the book I’m compiling.”
He was sure Tess was about to argue, but something held her back. She stepped forward and put his hands back on her hips. “I owe Molly a favor. If we’ve got to do this, we might as well get it done quickly.”
Molly didn’t waste any time. “Tess, place your right hand on Logan’s shirt, just below his left shoulder. Look into each other’s eyes. That’s it. Tilt your head down, Tess. Look up through your lashes.”
The directions continued for what seemed like ages, but in reality was probably only ten minutes. Logan was sure Molly had snapped more than five shots, but he wasn’t going to complain. Tess had moved around him, devoured him with her gaze, made him wonder if she was acting or feeling as turned on as he was.
“Last shot,” Molly said from behind her camera. “You’re doing great. I’ll just check the light.”
As soon as Molly turned her back on them Tess leaned forward. “Can you cross your eyes?” Her words whispered in his ear, sent shock waves rippling along his skin.
??
?Logan?”
He was still stuck in turned-on mode. Crossed eyes didn’t feature anywhere in the thoughts racing through his head.
Tess looked at him as though he needed a brain transplant. Which he probably did given the low priority his body was giving his mental agility.
“Can you make a monster face?”
That he could do. He pulled his lips into a snarl and puffed his cheeks out at the same time.
Tess covered up her burst of laughter with a cough. She glanced quickly over her shoulder, then back at him. “When I squeeze your arm, turn to Molly and pull the face.”
Before he could agree with her, Molly stepped away from the light umbrella. She lifted her camera to her eyes. “I want this shot soft and sexy.”
Tess muttered something under her breath, which wouldn’t have worried him, except her mouth was close to his neck and her breath tickled his skin. If Molly wanted sexy, all she needed to do was take the shot now.
“Come on, Tess,” Molly cajoled in her soft Irish accent. “Get that dream girl look in your eyes.”
Logan looked into Tess’ eyes. Molly couldn’t see what he did. And what he saw knocked his socks off and left him in no doubt what was running through Tess’ mind. Revenge.
Molly took half a step to the left, got ready for the soft and sexy shot she thought she was going to get.
Tess pinched his arm. He looked at Molly and pulled the worst monster face he could.
Annie burst out laughing, Molly spluttered a word a good Irish girl shouldn’t know, and Tess turned her cross-eyed scowl into sweetness and light.
Annie hopped off the stool she’d been sitting on and ran across to Molly. “Let me see.”
Molly pushed some buttons on the back of the camera. She took one look at the offending image and passed it to Annie. “You both look like wrinkly old prunes.”
Tess stepped away from Logan, which in his unbiased opinion was a real shame. He was getting used to having her cuddled up beside him.
“That remark would have been positively cutting five years ago,” she said.
“It’s a great photo.” Annie passed the camera to Tess. “You both look cute.”
Logan looked over Tess’ shoulder. She didn’t move away so he figured she was more comfortable being close to him than what she let on. He took one look at the photo and laughed. His monster face was okay, but Tess’ cross-eyed witchy look was better.
Tess’ back door burst open. Sally staggered into the apartment holding an armful of dresses. “I need help here.”
Annie and Molly rushed across to give her a hand.
“What in the name of Great-Aunt Mary do you have here?” Molly took a pile of dresses out of Sally’s arms.
“Thirteen bridesmaids’ dresses.” Sally dropped the last few dresses on the back of the sofa. “Emily donated four matching dresses and someone who works at the animal shelter gave me hers. I’ve got eight of my own in that bundle, too. What have you been doing?”
Tess seemed to realize she was still pressed against Logan’s chest. She made a funny noise before handing Molly her camera. “Taking photos of the dresses for the catalog.”
Sally looked around the room. “It looks like a professional studio with all of the lights you’ve set up.”
“Some of us have been extremely professional,” Molly said. “Others need a little education.” She stared pointedly at Tess.
“Well whatever you call it, it looks awesome. Do you want me to get changed into any of these dresses?”
“Start with one of Emily’s.” Molly picked up one of the bright red dresses in front of her. “It’s the only dress we’ve got four of. Our bride-to-be might like matching dresses.”
Sally held the dress in front of her. “It looks as though it will fit. I’ll be back soon.”
“If you need a hand with your hair and makeup, let me know,” Tess said.
Molly moved across to the window. “Your turn, Annie. Let’s do that lovely dress proud.”
Annie listened to what Molly said, moved where she was told.
Logan helped himself to a glass of wine while Tess changed into another outfit. When she came out of the spare bedroom with Sally he took a gulp of wine. This time, Tess’ dress was black, simple and so damn sexy it was a wonder the groom hadn’t run off with the bridesmaid wearing it.
“Wow,” Annie said. “I like that one.”
Tess looked down at the dress. “I wore it to Bernadette Kirk’s wedding two years ago.”
Logan was glad the groom hadn’t lived up to his Neanderthal logic. He looked at Tess. He’d heard Bernadette Kirk’s name mentioned somewhere else, but for the life of him he couldn’t remember where.
“And you want to include it with the other dresses?” Annie clearly didn’t agree with Tess’ donation. “You could sell it on eBay and make a fortune.”
Tess shrugged her shoulders. “I’d sooner give it away.” She sat on the sofa and crossed her legs.
When the split in her skirt fell open, Logan had to force his eyes away from her long legs. He could have handled giggly women, but sexy without-knowing-it women were hard to be around. He should have brought Dylan with him. At least he would have been a distraction from all of the estrogen floating around the room.
Annie checked her watch and bounced to her feet. “I’ve got to get changed. Carl’s expecting me in half an hour.” She ran across the room and disappeared down the hallway.
“Would you like a slice of chocolate cake?” Tess asked him.
She was killing him. He cleared his throat and looked at the kitchen. “That would be great. I can get it.”
Tess stood up at the same time he lurched to his feet. Their bodies met in front of the coffee table and he forgot about the cake. Tess’ eyes opened wide and her gaze dropped to his mouth. He felt his blood pounding through his body. Being around Tess was enough to give a man a heart attack.
A blush filled her cheeks and if he didn’t know better, he’d have sworn she ran for the kitchen. The sound of a plate hitting the counter ricocheted through her apartment. Molly lifted her head from under the light umbrella, Sally turned from in front of the window, and Annie rushed into the room.
“Is everything all right?” Annie said as she slipped her foot into a sneaker.
“Fine.”
Tess’ voice sounded odd. A nice kind of odd that gave Logan hope that she liked him as much as he liked her. He ran his hands through his hair. He hadn’t dated anyone in years. He’d forgotten how to start something, how to let a woman know he was interested in her without letting her know how interested he was in her. And even if that made no sense at all, he was sure that somewhere, someone would commiserate with him.
The dating thing was a minefield and he’d seen enough of those to last a lifetime.
He sat on a stool in front of the kitchen counter and watched Tess. She slid a piece of chocolate cake toward him.
“Does anyone else want some cake?”
Molly and Sally dropped what they were doing and joined Logan at the counter.
“Cut a piece for us, too,” Sally said.
“Not me,” Annie said. “I’m off to see Carl. Good luck with the other photos. Twenty-two dresses.” The smile on Annie’s face said it all. “We’re going to make lots of people happy with these gowns.”
Logan took a deep breath. “How would you all feel if I wrote a follow-up story? I could tell our readers about your club, what you’re hoping to achieve.”
“Sounds good to me,” Sally said. “Some publicity will make it easier to find homes for the bridesmaids’ dresses Connie doesn’t want.”
“I don’t mind either,” Annie said. “As long as any photos you use show my new hairstyle.”
Molly bit into her slice of cake and sighed. “Tess and I have already agreed, so it sounds like you’ve got yourself a story, Logan Allen.”
Sally poured herself a glass of wine. “We’ll have to do this more often. I’ve been having withdraw
al symptoms since the last time we ate chocolate cake together.”
Logan hoped they didn’t get dressed up and eat chocolate cake too often. One night a year was all the strain his heart could take, especially when Tess ran her hands over his chest and looked into his eyes.
He needed to remind himself that it had been for the camera, not him. But it hadn’t made any difference to the way his body reacted or the way Tess swayed toward him when she didn’t think he was looking.
Annie picked up her bag. “I’ll leave you to the cake. Let me know which dresses Connie chooses.”
Tess followed her to the back door.
By the time she came back, Molly had finished eating. “I hate to take you away from this delicious dessert, but unless we take more photos, we’re not going to get finished tonight.” Molly slipped off the stool and picked up her camera. “Who’s next?”
Sally took a napkin off her lap and followed Molly across the room. “It must be my turn considering I missed the first hour. Do I have cake in my teeth?”
Molly looked at Sally’s wide smile. “Not that I can see. We might as well take all of the photos in the same spot. Come and stand by the window.”
Molly gave Sally more directions and Tess came and sat next to him.
“Do you think this is going to work?” Tess asked.
For a moment he thought she was talking about them, until he realized nothing was happening with them. Except massive doses of hormones and a few fantasies that Tess featured in.
He glanced at Molly and Sally. “The Bridesmaids Club is a great idea. It’s already working for Connie.”
“But what if she doesn’t like any of the dresses?”
Logan studied Tess’ face. She looked worried and tired. “What time did you wake up this morning?”
“Half past three,” she said softly. “I couldn’t sleep.”
“Want to tell me what you were worried about?”
Tess shook her head. “Silly things. Things that happened a long time ago and shouldn’t matter now.”
“I know the feeling. You could always call me if you can’t sleep.”
“I’ll wake you up.”
“No, you won’t. I don’t remember the last time I slept through the night.”
Tess pushed the rest of her chocolate cake away. “Do you run because you can’t sleep?”
“It gives me something to do.” He watched Tess think about what he’d said.
She slid off the stool and kissed his cheek. “I’ll leave another muffin on the door for you tomorrow. Just be thankful you don’t have to wear one of these dresses.”
Logan followed Tess with his eyes as she walked toward Molly and Sally. She moved like a ballerina, posed in front of the camera like she’d been doing it for most of her life.
He had a feeling Tess had more secrets than he did. He just hoped hers weren’t as deadly.