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own situation. Her earlier thoughts aside, she knew if he’d ever married, much less had kids, Logan would definitely have mentioned it, or she’d have heard about it from his parents. And she’d made a fool enough of herself for one day. So she wisely—for once—kept her mouth shut, and simply smiled and nodded. Where was Alex, anyway? And Hannah, for that matter? She had a wedding intervention to get to. And a childhood crush to get away from.
    â€œWhat about you?” he asked. “I was going to ask if you were home for the holidays, but did you say you’ve moved back to the Cove, too?”
    â€œWhat? Oh. Yes,” she added, thinking back over the conversation. “I guess I did say that. I mean, yes, I did move back.”
    â€œA recent switch?”
    â€œVery. Not quite a month ago.” With the bulk of her earthly possessions in storage, she was still living out of boxes and suitcases, having rented a room in a new inn that had just opened in Half Moon Harbor, right in the heart of the Cove. Over the very vocal protests of both Alex and Logan, of course, who had invited her to move back into her old room for as long as she needed it. Fiona felt ridiculous as it was, coming home without all her t’s crossed and i’s dotted. Normally she was a t-crosser and i-dotter of the first order. But her independence was one thing she didn’t want to leave behind, and she liked living in the heart of the Cove. It was very different from just working there or going to school there, while living out on the Point. And it was where her future clientele would be, so living there would help her get her head in the game. And she would. Just as soon as she talked Hannah out of a Christmas wedding.
    â€œEverything okay?” he asked. “Logan told me you—or your firm—just won some prestigious award not too long ago. Some sort of national design review board or other? He said only a few firms in the country get the nod each year.”
    She was mildly surprised to hear that Logan had been chatting her up to him. Or to anyone. She knew her brother loved his siblings and was proud of each of them, but she hadn’t considered he’d be all chatty about it. Logan wasn’t particularly talkative.
    â€œI did, yes. It was a surprise—a shock really—but very flattering. I was truly honored.”
    â€œTo hear Logan tell it, it was well earned.”
    She smiled. “Well, he might be a bit biased, but I did work very hard for that kind of recognition, so it was like a benediction of sorts.” Only not exactly the kind she’d been anticipating. “I thought that award represented reaching a career pinnacle, something I had dreamed about since becoming a designer, so it’s kind of funny really that winning it was a part of what helped me to decide to close up shop in the city and move home again.” At his confused look, she added, “I’d been considering it for some time.”
    â€œThings not going well? Wouldn’t the award have helped smooth out any rough patches? I mean, with the economy and all, I know too well about that sort of thing.”
    She shook her head. “I definitely understand that part, but no, my finances were pretty steady before that, and definitely got a huge boost afterward.” She gave him a pointed smile. “Consider yourself forewarned.” She knew from his grin he understood she was referring to the aftermath of his upcoming AE exposure.
    â€œI hope to have the good fortune to suffer through such a challenging result,” he said. “So what was the problem?”
    â€œI wasn’t doing the kind of work I really wanted to do. And as wonderful and huge an honor as it was, the award was just bringing me more of that same kind of work, for the same kind of people. That wasn’t motivating me, much less inspiring me. In fact, it was doing quite the opposite. Still, I’d