OBSESSION

TWO.

Bethany froze, her gaze locked on the man standing in front of her, his familiar green eyes glinting with a hint of bemusement. She hadn't expected to run into him here, not after the awkward encounter earlier. For a heartbeat, she couldn't think of a single thing to say, her mind blank under his steady gaze. It was Logan who broke the silence.

"I'm Logan. Logan Chase," he said, extending his hand with a polite, confident nod.

She hesitated for a split second before reaching out, feeling the cool, firm grip of his handshake. "Hi," she managed, trying not to sound too breathless.

As she released his hand, her eyes lingered on him, drinking in the details she hadn't quite noticed earlier. He was dressed in a smoke-grey suit that somehow looked both effortless and meticulously tailored, with a navy-blue tie adding a hint of color. Logan wore it with an easy, relaxed confidence that only accentuated his already striking presence.

"Bethany!" Teagan's bright, cheerful voice called from the doorway, breaking the moment. Bethany turned to see her friend beaming with wide eyes, clearly as captivated by Logan's presence as she had been.

"Mr. Chase! I didn't realize you were already here," Teagan said, quickly recovering from her initial surprise. "Please, let us show you to the conference room."

Logan smiled warmly, falling in step beside Teagan, who led him down the corridor. Bethany trailed a few steps behind, feeling slightly out of place yet oddly curious as she watched the interactions.

The conference room was at the heart of the office, its glass walls giving a full view of the surrounding workspace. Inside, a long, dark oak table stretched across the center, surrounded by sleek office chairs with polished chrome arms.

Ryan and Marcus were seated at the head of the table, both looking every bit the part of senior partners. Logan chose a seat eight chairs down, settling in with a calm, unhurried confidence. Bethany and Teagan took the two remaining seats next to Ryan, who quickly stood up to greet Logan.

"Mr. Chase, it's a pleasure to have you here," Ryan began, his voice carrying a practiced authority as Marcus nodded along, a shy smile on his face.

"The pleasure's mine," Logan replied smoothly, his handshake with each of them noticeably more robust than the one he'd shared with Bethany.

As everyone settled in, Bethany found her gaze drifting back to Logan. The meeting was background noise, voices muffled as she studied his profile. He had that rare quality that made him stand out—a blend of presence and poise that suggested he was entirely comfortable wherever he went.

"Just to clarify," Logan's voice cut through her thoughts, "working with me won't mean working directly with Chase Realty." He paused, his tone matter-of-fact but tinged with something that felt personal. "I've started my own venture, Legacy Realty, to step away from my father's path."

There was a beat of silence, a shared look between Ryan and Marcus that hinted at their surprise. Bethany felt it too—a curiosity about what that shift meant for the firm. Ryan, however, quickly recovered, giving a nod of acknowledgment.

"Of course. It's still an honor. We've put together a dedicated team for you—people who will work closely to bring your vision to life," Ryan said, projecting his usual confidence.

The mention of a specific team made Bethany glance around the table, her curiosity piqued. Large clients typically received a dedicated team, allowing them to develop a consistent vision without constantly having to re-explain it.

She wondered if she'd be part of this team, though she doubted it. She was still green, still figuring her way in the world of interior design. She had the education and the passion, but no real-world experience.