Page 65 of Whatever You Want

“You don’t need to apologize. Ava. You obviously still miss your husband. Your feelings are perfectly normal.”

“That’s just it. These tears aren’t for Drew, they are for Logan. I feel guilty because he deserves someone who has a whole heart, not half of one. I feel damaged.”

Luke shifted uncomfortably. “If anyone knows anything about a damaged heart, it would be my brother.”

I wiped at my cheeks again to make sure they were dry. “I know his ex-wife did a number on him.”

“That’s not exactly…”

“Mom.” Madison came running into the kitchen at full speed. “I have to go to the bathroom.”

I looked away, trying to get my emotions in check. I probably seemed like a basket case.

Luke hopped off the stool. “It’s down the hall, Brina can show you where it is,” he said as his niece was shutting the door behind her.

Logan and his mom entered the kitchen. Kelly went over to check the roast in the oven while he came over and nestled his chest against my back. He dropped a kiss to the top of my head. “What were you guys talking about in here?”

Luke leaned forward, resting his arms along the counter. “I was telling her about what an asshole Gage can be.”

Logan’s hands tightened along my shoulders. “Are you upset about what he said?”

“No, I’m just not sure what to make of him.”

Both men barked out a laugh. “He’s definitely an acquired taste.” Logan spun me around on the stool and caressed my cheek. “He’s not that bad once you get to know him.”

His words made me regret judging his friend. He might have gotten under my skin, but there were a few moments where he was charming, although I’d never admit that to him. I could get along with him if I had to. Lily was nice and sweet. How bad could he be?

Another glass of wine and a full belly later, I was feeling lighter somehow. Maybe because I had the best pot roast I’d ever tasted in my life. Kelly could cook, and if this was what Logan was used to, I needed to start watching more cooking videos on YouTube. After begging Kelly for the recipe because it was Logan’s favorite, we moved out to the backyard and sat around the outdoor fire pit. A few neighbors came over and introduced themselves while the girls went inside the house to play a board game. Things could not have gone any better, and I determined that Gage Garrison wasn’t so bad after all. By the time we reached my driveway, Madison and Brina were both passed out in the back seat.

Logan turned off the engine and reached for my hand. “Thanks for coming tonight.”

I gazed at him through the dim lighting of the car. The only thing I could focus on were his lips and the smell of his cologne that filled the small space. He ran his thumb across my knuckles, silently watching me. Maybe it was the wine or just simply being near him. Whatever it was, it caused my heart rate to pick up, and I felt that familiar yearning pass through me.

I unbuckled my seat belt and closed the distance between us. “I always want to come, Logan,” I said, brushing my lips against his. He responded immediately, and I moved my palm up to his stubbled cheek, feeling the coarseness against my skin. He made a noise in the back of his throat, one that had goose bumps rising along my bare arms. He gently swept my hair off to the side of my neck and kissed me deep and slow. I could taste the beer on his tongue and the warmth from his lips. This was the kind of kiss that you wanted to go on forever. I moved my hand to the back of his head, pulling him closer. My breast swelled, and my nipples peaked. Logan’s thumb gently skimmed along my side, and I hissed out a breath.

He pulled back from the kiss, his lids were low and heavy. He glanced in the back seat, his expression looked pained. “Do you think they’ll be okay if we let them sleep in the car tonight?”

I laughed while resting my head against his shoulder. The sound caused the girls to stir. Logan groaned in frustration and tried to slide away, but I grabbed his shirt and whispered in his ear. “Don’t worry, we’ll pick up where we left off once we get them inside.” I lightly stroked his bottom lip with my finger. “You are so getting laid tonight.”

“On one condition.” He pulled my hand away and held it in his firm grip.

“What’s that?”

“You let me show you all the different ways I can make you come.”

My lips quirked up. “I have a condition of my own.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

My gaze drifted down to my wrist. “You bring your cuffs upstairs tonight.”

“You got yourself a deal, sweetheart.” He unlocked the door, and I laughed at the speed at which he woke up the girls and raced inside the house.

I grabbed the roses out of the back seat and started heading toward the front entrance of the school. Judging by all the cars filling up the parking lot, it looked like it was a packed house. I walked behind a young family that I recognized from Brina’s dance class.

A smile touched my face when I spotted Ava and Madison standing off to the side with my family. There was something about seeing them all together that felt right.

Luke spotted me first and waved me over.

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