Page 61 of Frenemies

“Okay, okay,” Logan held up his hands. “Maybe on a hay bale.”

With a long sigh, Bailey rolled her gaze my way. “Why are you friends with him?”

There wasn’t a clear answer to that. Logan was impossible to hate. I couldn’t explain it—he just was.

“Don’t worry, Sweetheart,” he grabbed Bailey’s pigtails, pulled her head back, and planted a kiss on her cheek. “You’ll come around.”

By the look on her face, I was going to assume that she wasn’t going to come around to anything any time soon. Had I finally met someone who hated Logan Hudson?

“Alright,” Logan slapped me on the shoulder and got out of the car. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

All I could do as he walked through my front door like he owned the place was follow and mutter, “God damnit.”

Did Logan wait for me once inside? Of course not. He charged through my house, ignoring everyone looking at him. I couldn’t do that.

“Hello, Miss Naomi, what are you doing home?” If I didn’t respond, they’d just follow me, or worse, call Daddy. I was actually happy that Bailey came with me. She chatted them up, giving me a chance to slip away.

The actual problem came when I turned the corner and saw the smiling face of a blonde woman come my way.

Mother.

“Darling,” she sang and threw her arms around me before I could duck out of the way. “What a pleasant surprise.”

I grumbled and tapped her on the back. The overpowering scent of her floral perfume would now choke me all the way back to Miami.

“Did you come for tea?”

That’s right. It was Thursday. Tea time with Paisley. That explained why no one questioned Logan walking around. Why would they if his mother was already here?

“No,” I pushed away from her and shook my head. “I just came to pick something up, and then I have to get back.”

Her pink lips twisted in a frown. “Oh poo.”

And this was why I hated my mother. She was so fake. Paisley was smiling all the time, too, but she was genuinely happy. My mother was nothing but a people pleaser, especially when it came to men.

“Can’t you stay for one cup?”

She wasn’t going to leave me alone, was she?

Bailey’s voice wafting down the hall brought a smile to my lips.

“There you are.” She rushed up to me out of breath. “This place is a maze. Did you know there’s a waterfall back there?”

Of course there was, and technically it was a water wall.

“Mother, this is Bailey.” I shoved Bailey forward and added, “She’s in dire need of a makeover.”

It was like I just said the magic word and opened the gates to nirvana. My mother’s light eyes brightened up as she reached out and clutched onto my roommate’s shoulders.

“Good lord, child. Who does your hair?”

“Um…” Bailey cocked a brow. “I do?”

“Oh, no, no, no. That simply won’t do.” She looped her arm in Bailey’s and pulled her down the hall. “Come with me. We’ll get you fixed right up.”

I waved as Bailey glanced back at me, looking more confused than I’d ever seen anyone look.

By the time I made it to Daddy’s office, Logan was already inside rifling through his desk. With the door wide open, I might add.

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