Page 64 of Mine to Love

“A little of both, I guess.”

His gaze lowers for a fraction of a second to my lips. If I wasn’t studying him so keenly, I wouldn’t have noticed. I lick them and watch his milk chocolate eyes darken to molten dark chocolate.

He drops his hand from the back of his neck and shoves his hands in his front pockets. What should have been a relaxed pose makes him appear more intense, with the fabric of his silk and linen pants pulling taught against his strong thighs and, speaking from experience, an impressive package.

“What’s going on with work?”

“Are you planning on hiring more people for this office?”

“Has Melinda given you too many clients?”

“No, no. Nothing like that. My workload is fine, but I don’t feel like I’m taking anything off your plate. I doubt these smaller jobs are projects you’d be taking on anyway. I’m not offended that they’re pretty cut and dried situations. I appreciate you working me in slowly.”

“Especially since I haven’t been around to train or assist you.”

“You’re top dog. I wouldn’t expect you to do that.”

“Opening up LP Financial was supposed to—” He cuts himself off and lets out an exasperated sigh.

“Was supposed to...” I hedge.

Logan looks off to the distance, his eyes vacant. A world of stress and sadness are etched in his handsome face.

“Can I ask you something as a...friend...friend of the family?”

He returns his attention to me and slowly nods. “Friend.”

“Why did you start this new company when you’re already stretched so thin?”

He hmpfs under his breath. “I was planning on starting LP Financial next summer after... After I cleared up a few business matters in Austin, but the opportunity presented itself now, and so I grabbed on to it.”

I can’t imagine what the opportunity could be since it isn’t like I’m making bank with any of the accounts. I pocket the consulting fees from the businesses I work with and get a small commission, so I’m not sure where or how LP Financials is making any money.

“Are you happy?” The question pops out before I have time to think better of asking it.

“Happy?”

“Yeah. Like, I know you’re rich and successful, but you work a lot. I never see you relax other than the few times your family has gatherings, and even then, it seems like you’re far away.”

“I have a lot on my mind. Always.”

“When was the last time you did something fun. Something for yourself that had nothing to do with mergers and finances and takeovers? When was the last time you relaxed?”

Logan is quiet for a while, his jaw tenses, and his cheeks fill with color. Not embarrassment, but something else. And then those dark eyes gloss over on a whole new level.

“Not too long ago.”

“And did you feel better having fun? Forgetting about work for a few hours? Or a day, or however long it was you relaxed?” Holden and Nick often took off on hikes and camping trips. Logan must have gone with them one weekend.

“It was pure ecstasy.”

“So do it again. This weekend. Hell. Take today off. Doug can reschedule your appointments.”

Logan rubs his hand across his chin and pierces me with his intense stare. “It’s not that easy,” he says through his fingers.

“It can be. Where did you go? What was it you did that helped wipe away the stress?”

He doesn’t blink. He doesn’t breathe. He doesn’t move. But his words would have knocked me on my ass if I’d been wearing heels.

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