“That was a sweet thing,” I said to Logan. “I didn’t even realize I’d told you about her love of LEGOs. And you remembered too.”
“Oh, I try to pay attention to everything you say.” This time the smile on his face went beyond friendly, and more than a little hunger appeared in those eyes.
A little warmth flared in my center over that look, and I swallowed. No. I wasn’t supposed to be letting Logan wind me up with a look. I was supposed to be working on escaping him. It was the best thing for my daughter and my own peace of mind.
Luckily, our food showed up, so I could concentrate on eating for a few minutes. At least that was the idea.
Every time I glanced up, I found Logan watching me, a small smile on his face. Nothing creepy, but he looked at me like I was the most interesting woman in the world.
I spent most of the meal focused on my food, offering only some scattered small talk. I had a feeling if I spent too much time looking at Logan, I wouldn’t listen to what my brain was telling me. That I didn’t need a man. That I’d gotten along fine without a man for two years, even if Logan was handsome, intelligent, kind to my daughter, and flew off to Denmark for business trips.
I didn’t need any of that. Right?
We finished our meals. Juniper began eagerly sorting through her new LEGO sets,
though she did obey me and didn’t open any.
I took a deep breath and prepared to tell my daughter it was time to go. The best way to end things with Logan was to avoid setting up any new dates. He’d get the point. My stupid body and heart would get the point as well, as long as I stayed away from the man and his frustratingly handsome face and warming smile. We didn’t have a reason to meet anymore.
“Mama,” Juniper said, her hand still in the LEGO bag. “I want Mr. Hawkins to come to the Spring Festival.”
I managed not to grimace. So much for staying away from Logan.
“Spring Festival?” Logan asked.
“It’s something they do at her school. Lots of little performances. Her class is singing.” I forced a smile. “It’s Wednesday evening, though. I’m sure you’re busy, with all your Denmark trips and business deals and such.”
“I’m sure I can find the time.” Logan winked.
Juniper clapped her little hands and bounced in her heat, beaming from ear to ear. The sight warmed my heart.
Then my brain all but shut off. I didn’t know what to say. What could I, really? Logan had treated me well, treated Juniper well, and taken me out to eat several times. It’d be rude to tell him I wasn’t interested.
Not to mention a lie. I understood I shouldn’t be trying to date a man, but I couldn’t help that for all the discomfort I was feeling, there was a part of me that enjoyed spending time with Logan, and not just the part that loved his handsomeness or smooth voice. One little school festival wouldn’t too much, and it’d obviously make Juniper happy.
“Guess I’m stuck with you for a little longer,” I said, smiling.
Chapter Twelve
LOGAN
Late afternoon Wednesday, I was on my way to Juniper’s school in my car when my phone rang. I glanced at the caller ID on the display in the center of my dashboard. My mother.
I transferred the call to my car’s speakerphone. “Yes, Mother?”
Before she even spoke, my mother let out a long sigh. I didn’t expect a pleasant conversation.
“I wanted to talk to you about Emily,” she said.
I grimaced. This was not the conversation I wanted to have in traffic on my way to Juniper’s school. I was having enough trouble with Emily by myself. I sensed something in her, some sort of wall or distance. As if she hadn’t been fully comfortable with me on our last date, and I didn’t want to accept it.
No. Not just didn’t want to. I refused to accept it.
It’s not that I didn’t understand it. After the kiss, I couldn’t help but think about our great chemistry, but I still at least remembered the kiss. To her, it was some embarrassing mistake while drunk, not a great moment of passion between two people intensely attracted to each other.
But I wasn’t about to give up. She’d been hurt by her ex-husband, and she probably didn’t trust men. I’d have to prove that she could trust me.
“Are you even listening to me, Logan?”