Page 5 of Whatever You Want

“Can I, Mom? Please,” Madison practically begged while pulling on my skirt. I grabbed her hand and gave her a warning look.

Logan crouched down and met Madison at eye level. “You are more than welcome to hang out with us. I can bring you back to your mom when the service is over.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind?” I asked, hoping that he didn’t feel put on the spot. His grin stretched wide, and I felt my pulse kick up a notch.

“I wouldn’t have offered if I did. I have a daughter of my own, so I know what I’m dealing with.” He winked and turned the girls around so he could guide them to their seats. If I thought he looked good from the front, that was nothing compared to his back.

I set my coffee on the table and rushed over to help Marco’s brother, who was carrying a large cooler filled with ice through the backyard.

“Thanks,” Matteo said as I grabbed the handle on the other end. We walked it over and set it down on the grass under the white party tent. Marco had a large Italian family, so there was no such thing as a small gathering.

I lifted my hand to shield the sun from my eyes and searched for Madison. She was sitting on a blanket, making friendship bracelets with Brina and a few other girls. Logan walked over and reached for a beer in the cooler. He brushed the ice off and popped it open.

“It’s a hot one today, huh?” I noticed he stopped home and changed. His worn black T-shirt stretched tight across his broad chest, and every time he brought the can to his lips, the sleeves would strain against his biceps.

I looked away and closed my eyes, letting the sunshine warm my face. “I love it hot and humid.”

He chuckled and tipped his chin to the sky. “I don’t mind the warm weather, I’m just not a big fan of the humidity.”

I studied him out of the corner of my eye. The strong lines around his face made him look even more handsome. He lifted his hand and wiped a bead of sweat off his right eyebrow.

“How did you get that scar?” I asked, pointing to the white faded mark in between his temple and his forehead.

“Got hit with a metal swing when I was younger.”

“Ouch.”

He laughed and took a huge sip of his beer. “Yep. My brother and I were at the playground. We were trying to wrap the swings around the top of the poll. The sucker came back and almost took out my right eye.”

“Your mom must have freaked.” I shivered at the thought.

He turned, and I noticed that his green eyes had a hint of blue to them. “She wasn’t too happy with me. Unfortunately, it was the first of many cuts and broken bones throughout my youth.”

“It’s boys like you that make me glad I had a girl.”

He smirked. “In case you haven’t noticed, I haven’t been a boy in a long time.”

I bent over to retrieve a bottle of water. “Sounds like you’re fishing for compliments,” I teased.

“If you’ve got the hook, I’ve got the bait.”

A splatter of water flew from my mouth. I was still smiling while wiping the water off my chin. “That was so bad.”

“I’ve been known to drop a line or two.”

I shook my head, trying to erase the grin on my face. “You better be careful there, Detective. Sometimes those lines can sink.”

“Is that right?” His eyebrows raised in a challenge. He was about ready to drop another fishing pun when Marco’s grandmother came strolling over.

“Logan Blake, I thought that was your handsome face.” He leaned down and kissed Sophia on both cheeks.

“It’s so good to see you. How are you, Sophia?”

“I’d be better if you stopped by and visited me once in a while.”

Marco’s grandmother lived in an independent living facility and always complained that she didn’t get enough visitors. I got the impression that she was lonely but was too stubborn to admit it.

“I was just there with Marco a couple of weeks ago,” he pointed out and took a sip of his beer.

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