Coming Home (The Santa Monica Trilogy Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

time I did, you’d change the subject.”
    “I had an offer from Caltech. The top name in addiction research agreed to be my PhD advisor. I couldn’t turn that down.”
    “So that’s it. Even if I’d told you everything back then, you still would have gone to Caltech, and I still would have moved to New York.”
    Logan frowned. “I guess.”
    The street dead-ended in San Vincente, seven blocks from where they’d entered. They turned around and started back.
    After several minutes, Logan broke the silence. “So, was it worth it, moving there?”
    Grace chose her words with care. “I got to know my dad.  Turns out he’s a good guy. So is Peter, his partner. I stood up at their wedding a couple years ago.”
    “And now you’re back in L.A.”
    “Yes.”
    “Why? If you were so happy in New York?”
    “I didn’t say I was happy. Just that my father and I got to know each other. Got a chance to build a relationship.”
    “So why did you decide to return?”
    She hesitated. “You said you read about the divorce.”
    “Yes.”
    “Life became impossible. Harry—my ex-husband—wouldn’t leave me alone. And then his father was arrested, and all hell broke loose.”
    A car drove past them. She watched it turn a corner and disappear.
    “I flew out around Thanksgiving, for my grandfather’s funeral. My first time back since college. We never did make peace. I guess you could say stubbornness runs in the family.” She tried to smile, but the effort fell flat. “My grandmother’s alone now. Eighty years old, and not doing too well. I figured it was time to come home.”
    Logan caught her hand in a warm clasp and drew her to a stop. “I’m sorry about the circumstances, Grace. But I’m glad to have you back.”
    The words, coupled with his intimate tone, made her flush. She tugged on her hand, relieved when he let go.
    “So,” she said, picking up the pace. “Enough about my dramas. What have you been up to?”
    Not the smoothest of segues, but it seemed to work. Logan followed her lead and launched into an entertaining verbal tour of campus politics.
    He managed to distract her so successfully that she didn’t notice they had returned until he drew to a stop before her grandparents’ gates.
    “Here we are.” He removed his sunglasses and turned those intense blue eyes her way.
    “Yes.” She hesitated, then extended her hand. “Thank you for lunch.”
    Her return to formality seemed to amuse him. He engulfed her hand in a warm grip and used it to pull her closer as he leaned down. His lips hovered over hers for an endless moment before finally making contact, soft as a dandelion puff, gentle as a sigh. And then it was over, and he was pulling back, grinning. “Dinner next time?”
    She blinked, trying to make sense of what just happened.
    As kisses went, this one had been light, brief, undemanding.
    If only she knew what Logan really wanted. Did he mean the kiss as a perfunctory gesture between former lovers fumbling for new footing as friends? Or was it a testing of the waters, a prelude to greater intimacy?
    The very thought made her tense. If that’s what Logan was after, he was in for a rude awakening. She had no intention of allowing any man close enough to exploit her vulnerability. Maybe someday she’d feel sufficiently strong and confident to take the risk again. But now? No way.
    “Grace.” Logan’s voice prompted her to put the brakes on that unnerving mental detour. “You okay?”
    “Of course.”
    “About dinner...”
    She stepped back. “I’ll call you.”
    He studied her, as if trying to gauge her sincerity. “Give me your phone.”
    “Why?”
    “I’ll program in my number.”
    She watched his hands as he entered the information. Recalled the feel of those fingers on her skin. Wished she weren’t so afraid.
    This was Logan, her first love. The man who had introduced her to the pleasures of the body. He had never given her any reason to fear him. If anything, he’d been