Page 6 of My Perfect Valentine

It took a lot of talking me down. There’s nothing here between us. Or at least for him. He needs help with his sister and I need help with my parents. That’s all this is.

I pull into the parking lot of the diner we decide to meet at for coffee and who am I kidding, pie. I’m craving a chocolate silk pie.

Oh, wait. Should I not order a slice? I mean, he’s a health nut. Look at him. But it’s obvious I’m the person who would order a slice. I have curves upon curves that warrant the thought.

Ugh. What am I doing? There’s no way anybody would believe Logan would ever date somebody like me. He’s way out of my league. With that handsome face, blue eyes, strong build, and an air of confidence.

Even so called Mr. Perfect my parents match me with isn’t good looking. I mean, he’s not ugly, but he’s plain. Somebody more suitable for plain Jane like me.

I jump in my seat when a knock hits my driver’s side window.

Logan stands on the side of my car with his hands up. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.”

I give him an awkward smile and turn on the engine and grab my bag. “No problem, I was off in Neverland.” I sigh and he grins.

“Ready?” He lifts his arm in a guiding gesture toward the front door.

“Yeah.”

“After you.”

I blush, as I don’t like the idea of walking in front of him. There’s so much to see back there with the big ass I have. No matter how much I work out and stick to the clean eating plan Cole and Adam put together for me, I can’t lose the weight. I’ve toned up and gained some nice muscle while losing a few inches, but I still jiggle, and it makes me self-conscious.

Logan opens the door for me, and I shyly smile and duck inside. A server smiles at us. “Table for two?”

“Yes, please. Preferably a booth.” I answer her.

We make our way to our seats and order our coffees and, surprisingly, Logan orders a slice of pie, chocolate silk. “Would you like a slice?”

Nervous with both their gazes on me, I worry my lip, wondering if this is a test or something. My mom will do this with me to see if I’m sticking to a healthy eating routine.

Logan studies me and hands the menus over to the server. “We’ll have two slices.”

Normally I hate the idea of anybody ordering for me, but for whatever reason having Logan do it makes me happy and I love that I don't have to decide myself.

“Sorry for ordering for you like that, but I figured if you don’t want it, then I’ll eat it.” He winks at me and smiles. My body combusts into a pile of goo at how devastatingly hot he is. Who knew a wink could be so panty melting?

“Chocolate silk pie is my favorite, but I’m on an eating plan and I’m trying to be good.”

Logan nods, but says nothing. He purses his lips together, like he’s trying to hold something back. Finally, he says, “A cheat from time to time is better, though. That way you get to live a little. Me, I cheat more than I should, but I love food and I won’t deprive myself of things I love. Well, as long as I make sure I get my nutritious foods in as much as possible.”

Adam, my other boss, tells me the same thing all the time. He’s always encouraging me to eat a slice of pie from time to time. Unlike my mom and dad, who are sticklers on making sure I keep to a regiment.

“Thank you.” Wanting to move on from the talk of food, I say, “So tomorrow night is my parent’s annual charity gala for the heart association at the hospital. They run the cardiovascular department and the Valentine’s Day gala is a big thing every year. It’s a sit down dinner too. It lasts for several hours, but ifwe can last for at least three, I would appreciate it. One year I left after only two and I never heard the end of it.

“This will be the easiest night to introduce you to them also, because they’ll be so busy mingling, but they will want to schedule a second dinner within the next couple of nights. I also wouldn’t put it past my mom to invite her Mr. Perfect for that, too.” I sigh and try my best not to make a disgusted face, but it doesn’t happen.

Logan chuckles as the server puts the slices of pie down and pours our coffee.

“Thank you,” I say to her.

“No problem, hon. Enjoy.”

Logan asks, “So, he’s that bad?”

Not knowing how I should answer his question, I doctor up my coffee, trying to figure out how to word this without sounding like a bitch. “He’s not the guy for me. My parents had all these plans for me, and since I decided not to become a doctor like them, they figure, I should marry a doctor like them.

“He’s very ambitious. So much so, he doesn’t care who he steps on to get there. He’s arrogant, and a true know-it-all. Not very kind, he’s not cruel, but he has no filter, so he says whatever pops into his head and it can be very mean.”

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