The Promise of Us (Sanctuary Sound #2)(57)

Fortunately, a knock at the door saved her from that conversation. “Can you run upstairs and get dressed while I answer that? It could be my mom, and she’s as fluid as this granite countertop.”

He sighed. “Fine.”

After stashing her binder back on the shelf, they scurried to the front of the house.

The doorbell rang next, but Claire waited until Logan hit the top of the stairs before opening the door. When she did, she wished she’d been better prepared. “Steffi? What are you doing here so early?”

Claire noticed Logan’s shoes by the coatrack too late. Hopefully, Steffi wouldn’t see them.

“It’s not that early, and I wanted to catch you before you went to church.” Steffi strode into the living room like she still lived there, then spun around and extended her left hand to reveal a diamond ring.

“Oh my God!” Claire screeched, grabbing her hand for a closer inspection. The princess-cut stone sparkled almost as much as Steffi’s eyes. “When did this happen?”

“Last night. Apparently, Ryan had been planning this with Lucia’s staff for a while. Of course, I had no idea when I invited you to join us. Our table had beautiful white lilies, and he did the whole traditional bended-knee thing. People clapped. It was completely corny and wonderful.”

Claire hugged Steffi as joyful tears stung her eyes. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you.” Steffi eased away to stare at her ring again. “These past few months have been a dream. I’m honestly a little nervous that it’s all going to disappear.”

“It won’t. You deserve to be happy.” Claire smiled even though she was saddened that she and Steffi both lived in fear that happiness would be stolen from them. Paranoia was one of many invisible scars of surviving a trauma. “I guess it’s a good thing Ben and I both canceled last night.”

“I’ve never been so happy that Benny blew me off.” She laughed. “And apparently Ryan enlisted Logan to keep you occupied, so it all worked out for everyone.”

“It did indeed.” Claire kept smiling, although her heart sank. Yesterday hadn’t been a spontaneous adventure Logan had planned just for her. He’d been doing a favor for his friend. And she’d gone and slept with him because of it.

Steffi grabbed for Claire’s hands. “It goes without saying that I want you to be my maid of honor. Will you?”

“Of course! I’d love to.” She hugged her friend.

Steffi eased away again, this time with a slight grimace. “Before you say yes, I have to confess I’d also like Peyton to be in the wedding party.”

Claire should’ve seen that coming, but she was still reeling from the truth behind yesterday’s misadventure.

On cue, Logan descended the stairs. “I thought that was your voice, Steffi.”

Claire stiffened and watched Steffi’s jaw unhinge as if it were happening in slow motion.

Steffi darted a glance between Logan and Claire. “Logan?”

“That’s my name.” He winked. “Why are you here so early?”

“I could ask the same of you.” Steffi’s brows rose as her hands gripped her hips.

“Touché.” Logan leaned against the newel, casting a glance at her left hand. “Congratulations, by the way. Where’s Ryan?”

“At home with Emmy.” Steffi frowned without elaborating about the engagement. “What’s going on here?”

“Nothing,” Claire said at the same time Logan draped an arm around her shoulders and said, “Breakfast. Want some?”

“No thanks. I came to tell Claire my news and ask her to stand up for me, but now my mind is blown. I need to regroup.” She kissed Claire’s cheek, her gaze unfocused yet concerned. “I’ll call you later.”

“Steffi,” Claire said, about to say that this wasn’t how it looked. Except it was exactly how it looked. Heat filled her face. “Congratulations. Please give Ryan all my love.”

“Not all of it,” Logan interjected playfully.

Steffi shook her head. “I’ll let you two get back to whatever you were doing when I interrupted.”

“Thanks. Claire and I do have unfinished business.” Logan waved and strolled back toward the kitchen, calling, “Bye.”

Steffi opened the front door and then said sotto voce, “We will talk later.”

“I’ll call you.” Claire closed the door and sighed. She turned and looked toward the rear of the house, then went directly upstairs to shower. She needed privacy to process what she’d learned and figure out how to deal with Logan.

When she emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in only a towel, she discovered him waiting for her in her room, sprawled on her bed.

“You showered too soon. I have plans for us to get all sweaty again.” He smiled and beckoned to her, but she backed away.

“That’s not happening. And I really don’t appreciate how you barged downstairs after I asked you to wait upstairs.”

“Hide.” He sat up and crossed his arms. “You asked me to hide.”

“Well, maybe I’d feel bad about that right now if I hadn’t just learned that yesterday’s excursion was all about you doing a favor for Ryan instead of you planning something special for me.”