Page 45 of The Secret Heir Next Door

I reread the notes, soaking in the detailed knowledge he dropped as if it were no big deal. SEO, analytics, integrated booking systems, and stuff that usually flies right over my head suddenly seem almost approachable based on how he explained it.

I don’t know if it’s because he’s a natural at this kind of thing or if he just knows how to make complicated stuff seem simple. Either way, I’m kind of in awe.

With a sigh, I flip to the next page, where I jotted down his ideas about expanding my business. Party planning, decorating, baking on a larger scale...it’s a lot to take in. It sounds exciting but also terrifying.

Do I really want to grow like that? Do I even have the time?

Lila calls, interrupting my thoughts. I quickly catch her up.

“He offered to go through my books to see if I could afford employees.”

“What did you tell him?”

“No thanks.”

“Probably not that politely,” she sighs. “Not everyone is like Davis, you know? He was a piece of shit that stole from you because he’s a bad person. You have to trust your instincts, not your trauma.”

“Uggghhhhhh,” I groan. “My instincts told me to believe Davis when he told me he was a millionaire and this hugely successful person.”

“They didn’t really, though. You fell for the man you believed him to be, that he pretended to be, because he manipulated you. We had so many discussions about this. I know that you knew who he really was before you realized and accepted that he was a fraud.”

“You’re right.”

“Your gut is always right, Serena. You just have to trust it. How do you feel about Logan?”

“I mean, he can’t be lying about being successful right? There’s no way he can fake all of those Google hits, right?”

“He is successful with a lot of proof to back him,” Lila says. “It’s a big deal that he’s offering to help. You just have to set your ego and trauma to the side to accept it.”

“Why does it have to be so hard? Why can’t there be a flashing neon sign above dudes’ heads that say ‘he’s married,’ ‘piece of shit,’ ‘great dude, but is oddly attached to his sister?’”

“Oh, if only it were so easy,” she giggles. “Journal about it, and I bet you realize what’s actually holding you back from accepting his help.”

“You’re right.”

“Are you still at the store?”

“Yes, tonight is when I’m supposed to go through my financials.”

“And you’re talking to me instead.”

“I failed math, Lila. I’m not an accountant.”

“All the more reason to let a Fortune 500 CEO help you out.”

“Ugghhhhhhhh, fine,” I sigh.

I’m so deep in thought that I don’t notice when the door chimes. It’s only when a shadow falls across my screen that I look up—and there he is.

Logan Pierce, in all his polished, confident glory, standing in my shop as if he owns the place—oh wait—he kinda does.

“Lila, I have a customer I have to go.”

“Customer? It’s almost 10 pm.”

“It’s Logan,” I sigh.

“Call me after!”