“Please call me Logan.Mr. Cavanaghis my father’s name.”
“Okay,” I say, giggling. Hot Stuff would be more suitable, but I couldn’t possibly refer to him as that. I may be a married woman, but I’m not blind.
“You have a beautiful smile.” My eyes meet his, and I’m unsure how I feel about his compliment.
“Thank you.”
“So, how do you feel about that?”
“My smile?”
“No,” he replies with a chuckle. His smile is equally beautiful, but I keep that observation to myself. “How do you feel about your husband not wanting you to work anymore?”
“To be honest, I miss everything about it.”
I can tell by the way his jaw ticks that he’s not impressed with my answer. My embarrassment has now escalated to humiliation. He may see compliance as weakness, but to me it’s more about keeping harmony within my marriage. Maybe I’m going about it all wrong, but I grew up around single women, and Jake is my only serious relationship. I have no prior experience to draw from.
Our conversation ceases, but that’s probably for the best. Jake’s job might be in jeopardy if I keep adding fuel to the fire.
Jake’s boss smiles and nods at everyone who passes the table. I can tell by people’s reactions that they genuinely like him. His long inky lashes frame his piercing green eyes. His perfectly chiselled features sit beneath thick, dark hair. His radiant smile is only illuminated further by a row of flawlessly straight, white teeth. And even though it’s hidden under the tuxedo he’s wearing, I can tell he has a lean yet muscular physique. When my eyes move down to his big strong hands, the first thing I notice is there’s no ring. But then I find myself focusing on how flawless his hands are. Does this man have any faults? I’m sure there’s something, but I’ve yet to see it.
Turning in my seat, I look back towards the room. I need a distraction. Relief floods through me when I see Jake approaching us. I’m glad Logan and I are no longer conversing; that would only irritate Jake further. I face back towards the table and see Logan nod at Jake as he takes his seat beside me. Although he’s trying to be polite to my husband, he seems standoffish.
I place my hand on Jake’s leg. “Everything okay?” I whisper.
“Everything’s peachy.” His eyes look glassy when they meet mine, which is concerning. It could just be lack of sleep, but he does seem happier and more relaxed than he did earlier, so that’s a positive. I’ve got my fingers crossed that the night continues to look up from here.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Logan raise his hand to flag down the waiter. “Can I get a double scotch on the rocks, please?”A double?He must be planning a big night. Let’s hope he can hold his liquor better than my husband can.
“Make that two,” Jake chimes in. I want to tell him to take it easy, since there’s already too much tension at the table, but one double won’t hurt. It may help to take the edge off.
“Can I get you anything, Brooke?” Logan asks.
“She’ll have a white wine,” Jake grates out.
“Actually, I’m not feeling the best, so I think I’ll stick with water.”
“Suit yourself,” Jake says, rolling his eyes. His lack of concern stings. My eyes dart to Logan, and my husband seems to be oblivious to the death stare he’s getting from his boss.
The moment Logan’s gaze moves to me, his face softens immediately. He gives me a sympathetic smile, and I feel compelled to reassure him that my husband isn’t always like this, that he’s just under a lot of pressure right now, but as his employer, Logan would already know that.
The mood around the table mellows by the time the first course arrives. But within minutes of finishing his meal, Jake gets a message on his phone and excuses himself from the table.
“Where are you going?” I ask, as he goes to stand.
“I’ve just gotta see someone?”
“Can I come too?” I feel stupid sitting here with his work colleagues on my own.
“No, stay here, I’ll be back soon.”
Ugh!
CHAPTER FIVE
Logan
“Are you enjoying your night?” I ask, when I hear her softly sigh beside me. I can already tell she isn’t, but she’s too polite to admit that. She’s constantly looking over her shoulder, waiting for her cad of a husband to return. I can’t believe he’s left her alone again.