Page 72 of Anything but Mine

She backed up, tugging him along with her. “I have to make sure Dee got set up okay. Then another walk around to make sure everyone’s okay and we’re done.”

“Sounds good.”

They got to the balloon and darts game and he pulled her to a stop. “Want a dragon?”

She peered up at the pink and purple dragon sitting on the top shelf. She drilled her finger into his belly. “You know how many darts that’ll be?”

“Don’t think I can do it?”

She shook her head no. “Yes.”

“Nice. Way to have faith.” He stepped up to the booth and dug out his wallet. “Two dollars worth, please.”

She leaned on the end of the wooden structure and folded her arms. “All right, let’s see it.”

He bounced the darts in his hand. “Not exactly competition weight.”

“Aww, poor baby.”

“How many do I need for the dragon?”

The kid looked between Logan and Bella and swallowed so hard his Adam’s apple jumped. “Three red balloons.”

“Cake.”

She put her elbows on the shelf and propped up her head. “Oh, baby. I so want that dragon. You can do it.”

He laughed outright at her baby doll voice. Turned his head to stare at her face and threw the first dart.

The pop of the balloon made her tip her head back with a laugh. “Competition darts. You shark.”

He hit the second red balloon and she shook her head. He was lining up for the third when three men with cameras came up.

“Logan. Hold it. Don’t throw it yet.”

Logan ignored them and threw his third dart. This one hit a yellow balloon instead. The click and whir of high end cameras made her stand up straight. These weren’t photographers from a local paper.

These were paparazzi.

“C’mon, Logan. Win the pretty girl a prize.”

“Yeah, we need a good shot.”

The taunts didn’t seem to faze Logan. He threw a fourth dart and the red balloon exploded with a bang.

Logan clapped his hands together and rubbed. “Purple dragon, kid.”

“Yes, sir, Mr. King.” The kid used a long pole with a hook and dropped it into his arms.

“Pose with the dragon and your new flavor, Logan.”

It was the first time she’d seen the photographers get to Logan. He held up a hand. “I’m sure you can find a better shot than that guys. Buzz off, huh?”

“Don’t want a picture with the new lady? Or don’t you remember her name?”

Bella’s eyebrows shot up.

Logan’s brow snapped down. “Cool it, Brian.”

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