Chapter 12

“This is a mistake.”

After throwing what felt like the hundredth pair of jeans on the bed, I sagged down too and cradled my head in my hands. “Damn those Jackson men for getting me to agree to this…this…date.”

“Stop being so dramatic,” I could hear Lizzy was trying to hold her laugh in. “All of these discarded pants looked fabulous on you. Maybe you should ask yourself why you’re so concerned about your appearance.”

I dropped both my hands into my lap and side-eyed my friend. We haven’t been friends that long but I swear she knew me better than anyone ever did. And I already knew the answer to the question she’d asked. I wanted to look nice, desirable even.

The thing was as much as Logan terrified me, he intrigued me just the same. The way he looked at Flynn melted my heart and the way he looked at me melted…well…everything.

“Try this,” I looked up to find that Lizzy had rummaged through my pathetic pile of clothes and by the looks of the dark blue jeans and red Henley she was holding up, she’d managed to put something decent together.

As I got dressed, more and more butterflies started to take flight in my tummy. I was nervous, terrified and excited at the same time. There was that tiny part of me that wondered what if that night led to more dates? How would that look? How would it be to be able to trust someone enough to let them in?

A loud knock sounded from the front door just as I pushed my feet into my boots. When my eyes snapped to Lizzy, she must’ve seen the nerves and fear in them because she wrapped me up in a tight hug and whispered next to my ear.

“Go have some fun, honey. You deserve it.”

After giving my shoulders one more reassuring squeeze she left to answer the door. When I walked over to my bedside table to grab my phone, I got a glance of myself in my dresser mirror.

I wasn’t that into wearing make-up but Lizzy had convinced me to put on some eyeliner and mascara. I had to give it to her, it made my eyes pop. My hair wasn’t even in its usual knot on top of my head; I’d pulled it together in a side-braid with a pin securing any wayward strands. On my way home, I’d found the most beautiful butterfly clip—silver with gems in different shades of blue. It was so delicate but still understated, I just had to have it.

Sucking in a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and made my way to the living room where Logan, Lizzy, and Flynn were. The moment I rounded the corner my heart almost jumped out of my chest. Dropped to his haunches Logan was busy introducing Dozer to my little boy, who couldn’t contain his laughter.

For a few seconds, I was frozen to the spot. I couldn’t and didn’t want to move. As it always did, the interaction between Logan and Flynn tugged at something inside me. It filled me with joy and sadness to see my son so trusting of this man. Logan’s arm wrapped around Flynn’s little shoulder and just as he pulled him closer Dozer leaned forward and licked Flynn’s face. Both humans threw their heads back and laughed while the dog’s tail thumped against the floor and his tongue lolled to the side.

“I swear my ovaries just combusted,” Lizzy said from beside me.

“Yeah.” I didn’t even care that it sounded more like a sigh than a word.

I pushed off the wall and headed toward them. I knew the moment Logan noticed me because my skin started to tingle. As he slowly rose from his position, his eyes took me in at an equally slow pace.

“You look nice, Sugar.”

His lips might have said ‘nice’ but his eyes were saying so much more. It could’ve been my imagination but I swear I could see hope burning in those dark irises.

“You don’t look so bad yourself.” Wasn’t that an understatement? With his signature dark jeans and black tee—putting all his muscles on display—he looked hot.

As casual as can be Logan pushed his hands into his pockets. “Ready?”

Nope, I wasn’t ready at all but still, I managed, “Yup.”

I was about to go grab Flynn’s backpack but Lizzy beat me to it. Meeting me halfway she handed me the bag with a mischievous smile and a wink before saying goodbye and heading out herself.

With my nerves as they were, I took my time making sure everything was locked up. I would’ve done just about anything to stall, hell, I was even considering asking Logan if Flynn could join us. Being alone with that man—even if it was in a public place—was incredibly daunting.

Just as I turned the key in the door I felt his breath fanning my ear. “You’re gonna have to relax, Sugar. You’re wound up so tight, I’m afraid you might snap.”

If I turned my head just slightly I knew our lips would be a whisper apart that was why I kept my focus on the door in front of me. But I did decide to give Logan some honesty. “I haven’t been out with a man in years, this is-“

“It’s new for me too, Sugar.”

I wanted to ask him how that was even possible but he was already halfway down the stairs by the time I turned around. With Flynn and Dozer happily sharing the backseat we drove to Chase’s place where I read him the riot act if anything was to happen to my boy.

And then it was just me and Logan.