Page 27 of Cop Blocked

“You said not to tell Dylan. I didn’t.”

“Nevermind. It turns out; he knows Nana. When I went over for our weekly dinner, I nearly ran into him. Apparentlyheis the one who’s been looking after Nana and Kitty. She invited him to stay, but he had to run because he needed to get two kittens to the vet. Kittens that he rescued from under Nana’s porch.”

“Aww. That’s so damn sweet. I bet Logan has charmed your Nana, too.” Kelsey swoons.

“You have no idea. She calls the station and asks for him specifically. And of course, he comes running. What kind of bullshit is that?”

“That’s pretty endearing. You have to admit.”

“It’s not that simple, Zoey. You know it’s not. I can’t be with someone who doesn’t want kids. I come as a package deal, in case you’ve forgotten.”

Rhys walks up behind his wife and wraps his arms around her. “Who said they don’t want kids?”

“Logan,” Kelsey answers before I have a chance.

“Ah, yeah. He’s always claimed kids give him hives. I’d have to say I disagree. Isn’t that your kid in his lap, scrolling through his phone right now?” Rhys looks at me then nods toward the living room.

Sure enough, Piper is in his lap and looking at pictures on his phone while talking his ear off.

“Shit. Piper probably thinks they’re best friends. Did I mention she was with Nana when he rescued the kittens? Nana said he was so adorable with her.” I roll my eyes, pretending that his affection to Piper is no big deal.

“I agree with Nana.” Zoey smiles.

Ignoring all of them, I head for the living room, unsure of what my next move will be.

As I get closer, I pause and listen to the conversation between Piper and Logan.

“That’s the last one,” he says as he flips to another picture. Over his shoulder, I can see that it’s an image of the two kittens curled up together and resting peacefully.

Piper looks up at him. “I want a kitty! Nana has one, and you have two! I need one.”

“I think that’s a conversation to have with your mom.” His voice is tender and sweet.

“She says no. We have a puppy, but I want a kitten.” Piper pouts.

“Well, kiddo, Mommy makes the rules. If she says no, then that’s it. You always have Kitty to visit and play with, right?”

“Kitty’s old. And bad. Nana says she runs away a lot.”

I can’t fight back my laugh. Logan and Piper both look up, catching me spying.

“Mommy! Logan has TWO kittens. Can we have one?”

“Piper, we talked about this. We have Izzy, and she doesn’t like cats. I’m sorry, kiddo.”

Of course, she pokes out her bottom lip, and I hold my breath, hoping that she doesn’t go into full-on meltdown mode right now.

“Hey, why don’t you go play with Gabby and your friends for a bit? Let Mommy and Mr. Logan talk.”

I’m relieved when she grins and climbs down off of his lap then barrels across the room to where all the kids are playing.

“I bet she’s a handful,” Logan says as he stands.

“You have no idea. I wish I had half of her energy.”

He offers me a tight smile. “I’m going to step outside. See if Smitty needs help or anything.”

Feeling like I have no other choice in the matter, I nod and watch him walk away.

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