I swear my soul leaves my body as she repeats that damn statement again in front of my brother. She’s clearly made her introductions while we’ve been upstairs, and doesn’t appear to be leaving while there’s this level of entertainment to prod at.
Eli blinks. “Thighs… cracking?”
“Walnuts, darling,” Betty says, entirely unbothered, leaning against the doorframe. “Man’s built like a farmhand. Though if you ask me, it wasn’t just the mirror making things feel heavy in the air.”
Logan goes still, while my cheeks flame.
Eli’s face does a thing—horror, confusion, rage, all competing. Tamara presses her lips together, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.
And because my mouth sometimes hates me, I blurt out the first thing I can think of. “It’s fine, all sorted now. Which is good, because I have a date tomorrow night.”
I don’t even know why I say it. Maybe to prove a point, maybe to distract Eli from Betty’s walnut commentary. Maybe because I want Logan to know.
Tamara’s head snaps to mine, delighted. “Ooooh, really? Where are you going?”
“That new taco truck place. But don’t make it sound like more than it is.”
“Tallulah.” Eli’s tone is an instant big-brother warning. “You don’t even know this guy.”
“That’s the point of a date, Einstein.”
Eli levels me with a look, then glances at Logan. “Lucky you live across the street, Millsy. You can make sure she gets home on time.”
My jaw drops. “Excuse me? Did you just—”
Logan’s mouth twitches, almost as if he’s going to back me up, but no words come.
“You’re not serious,” I snap at Eli. “I don’t need a babysitter, and I definitely don’t needhimspying on me like I’m fifteen and sneaking out my window. You’re notcurfewingme, Elijah.”
Eli shrugs, maddeningly casual. “Just sayin’, Lu. You don’t exactly have the best track record.”
A hand flies to my hip. “What?”
He lifts a brow, unfazed. “Want me to remind you about that Matt guy who only took you out on nights he knew I had home games? Or the guy who spent half your dinner date trying to get my autograph when I showed up to pick you up?”
Heat flashes across my cheeks. “Oh my god,one time—”
“Two,” Eli corrects flatly.
From behind me, I feel Logan go razor-still, the way he does on the ice before a fight breaks out. I turn my head just as his mouth parts, about to say something, but when Eli’s gaze cuts to him, he clamps it shut again.
Tamara’s nose wrinkles. “Those guys were pigs, Lu. Absolute bottom-feeders.”
“Idiots,” Betty adds. “Obviously couldn’t see what was right in front of them!”
“She’s right.” Logan’s voice slips out low, so quiet I’m almost sure I imagine it.
It’s gone as quickly as it comes, and he shifts uncomfortably, but eventually his eyes slowly trail to mine.
“Think I’ll go,” he mutters roughly, forcing a smile as he nods at Eli. “See you tomorrow, man.”
“Mm-hm,” Betty hums, eyes twinkling as she watches this bullshit unfold. “Best not linger too long, Walnut Boy.”
Logan falters at the threshold, just long enough to make my stomach swoop. It’s barely noticeable unless you’re looking.
Betty is looking.
He pushes out into the evening without another word, while Eli follows Tamara into the kitchen, Miso trotting at their heels, leaving me at the door with Betty.
