Page 98 of Bad Love

"Yeah. It might befun."

Logan Hunter, who specializes in every kind of casual, is asking me to attend a family party with him. Stand next to him. Drink beer on a lawn somewhere. Laugh with him, enjoy being close to him. Hear his take on everything, see the world through hiseyes.

The possibility is tantalizing. But as quick as I see that beautiful panorama, I can see the downfall on the otherside.

I’m not interested in being left behind to pick up the pieces—of my son or of me—when Logan decides he doesn’t want to be tieddown.

And I like him too much for him to become another mistake I’vemade.

I follow Logan’s gaze to my nightstand, where a little origami flower rests next to myalarm.

“I wanted to make you one,” I blurt. “That’s my prototype. The next one will bebetter.”

“What if I want theoriginal?”

“It’s not perfect,” I protest as he liftsit.

It’s his slow smile at the simple fact that I made the origami he bought me that chips at my resolve. “You’rewrong.”

Logan takes the paper flower and skims it down my skin. Over my breasts, across my stomach. Settling it between mythighs.

He leaves it there, his attention lifting to my face once more. “Tell me. What’d you dream of before you made your adventureslist?”

I turn it over. “A home. A family.And…”

“What?”

“I had this picture of a park in Paris from a magazine.” I duck my face as I remember it. “I stuck it on my bulletin board in high school. I thought I’d go oneday.”

“You stillcould.”

“I could, but it’s not important anymore. Dreams change, Logan.” I reach up to run my fingers through his messy hair, loving the feel of it in my hands. “Rory’s my big adventurenow.”

“And what amI?”

I turn it over. “You’re beautiful,” I say at last, pressing my lips tohis.

These last few weeks with him, I’ve found myself more willing to take chances. Some choices require more risk thanorigami.

Logan pulls back first. “My family’d love meetingyou.”

The idea of family approving of me is something I never considered. Though there's no guarantee they'd even like me, and if they did? When this ends, they'll be gonetoo.

I drop back on thebed.

My heart kicks as I feel the warmth of his hand still holding mine. "What're you wearing to theparty?"

"Probably a shirt.Pants."

"Socks?"

Logan laughs under his breath. "I’ll let you decide. That ayes?"

My heart squeezes. "Yes."

* * *

Friday night,I take the round-trip train with Rory to his grandparents. They're thrilled to have him, and Mom says Blake’s gone for theweekend.

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