“Huh?”
“Why’d you look so surprised?” she demanded accusingly.
He frowned. “I don’t know. I mean, we’ve been together for hours and you never mentioned anything about a boyfriend.”
“It didn’t come up. Anyway, we’ve been dating since college,” she embellished.
Logan nodded slowly as they climbed onto the porch. “What does he think of you interviewing for a job in Denver?”
“I mean, obviously, he’s not thrilled about it. But he understands.”
“Yeah? So he’s willing to do the long-distance thing?”
She nodded and ducked her head, rummaging through her handbag for her house key. She already regretted her impulsive lie, but it was too late to take it back.
“What’s his name?”
Her head snapped up. “What?”
“Your boyfriend.” Logan stared down at her, his dark eyes sinking deep into hers. “Does he have a name?”
She wracked her brain and blurted out the first name that came to mind: “Benjamin.”
“Benjamin?” Logan repeated.
She nodded quickly, resisting the urge to bite her lip out of nervousness. When she was a child, her parents had taught her about the famous black astronomer Benjamin Banneker. Benjamin was a common enough name, so there was no reason for Logan to think she was lying.
She watched his eyes slowly trace her features before he murmured, “He’s a very lucky man.”
Before she could respond, the front door swung open. Her aunt stood in the doorway wearing a pink bathrobe and a satin bonnet on her head.
“There you are! I was starting to get wor—” She broke off, staring up at Logan in wide-eyed shock. “I know who you are. You’re Logan Brassard.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He smiled and stuck out his hand. “I’ve seen you on TV. It’s nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure’s mine,” Rosalie purred, shaking his hand. “Goodness, aren’t you a tall drink of water?”
Meadow inwardly groaned. Logan just grinned, amused by her aunt’s flirtatiousness.
“I should have known it was a handsome devil keeping my niece out so late,” Rosalie teasingly chided.
“My apologies.” Logan smiled down at Meadow. “I couldn’t get enough of her company.”
Fighting a rush of pleasure, Meadow pushed her glasses up her nose. “Sorry I didn’t call after the meet-and-greet,” she said to her aunt. “I ran into Logan and we went out for drinks. I kinda lost track of time.”
“Well, no wonder.” Rosalie gave Logan a thorough once-over, all but purring her appreciation.
Meadow felt her face redden with mortification.
Logan bumped her playfully with his shoulder. “Tell Benji I’m sorry for monopolizing your evening.”
Meadow cringed as her aunt gave her a puzzled look and asked, “Who’s Benji?”
Busted, Meadow thought, praying for the ground to open up and swallow her into a gaping crater.
“My bad,” Logan said to her. “Your boyfriend goes by Benjamin, right?”
“Boyfriend?” Rosalie looked confused. “Meadow doesn’t have a—”