“Of course she’s not a toy.” Aggravation spirals through me. “Fine, you want three things? She’s smart. And not in the obvious book-smart way. She’s sharp and analytical and notices things that other people don’t notice. And she’s got a stupid amount of discipline. She spends hours researching the most random bullshit, except it’s not bullshit to her. She’s genuinely fascinated with learning new things. She’s always solving these puzzles that the rest of us don’t even know exist. And it’s really fucking amazing.”
Logan blinks in surprise.
“She argues with me abouteverything, but it never annoys me. It makes me feel like I’m…awake. Like I’m not just going through the motions.”
Now they’re both staring at me, but I can’t fucking stop. The words are pouring out.
“She has the most calming energy of anyone I’ve ever known, and I feel at peace just being around her. And yes, she’s gorgeous, obviously, and…”
I trail off, my cheeks burning. Fuck. I wish I’d kept my mouth shut.
“Oh shit,” Logan says, looking at my father. “You might be right.”
“No, he’s not right,” I grumble. “Whatever he told you, he’s not right.”
“So you’re not in love with my daughter?”
I falter. “No.”
“You just recited a dozen reasons why you think she’s incredible,” Dad tells me, grinning like the asshole he is.
“I’m saying I like her,” I mutter. “And that I’m not using her. That this isn’t some joke to me, and she’s not a toy.” I shove my hands through my hair. I don’t get embarrassed often, but I’m glad it’s pitch-black out, because I’m pretty sure I’m blushing.
Logan studies me before letting out a long, slightly overdramatic sigh. “Look. I’ve known you your whole life. I know you’re not a bad guy, even if your dickhasdone some questionable things in the past. But… If my daughter’s going to fall for anyone, I guess I’m okay if it’s you.”
“She hasn’t fallen for me,” I protest. “No one’s falling for anyone.”
“But,” he continues, ignoring me, “if you hurt one hair on her head, we will take another midnight boat ride, and I will fucking drown you.”
“I’ll probably stop him,” Dad says to neutralize the threat.
My gaze slides between the two of them. “So you’re friends again?”
Dad looks confused. “We were always friends.”
“You kept calling each other Mr. Logan and Mr. Graham at dinner.”
“Yeah. In a friendly way.”
Logan’s tone takes on a note of regret. “I’m sorry I called your son a whore, G.”
I scowl. “When did you call me a whore?”
He waves a hand. “Oh, you weren’t there for it.”
Dad shrugs from his perch at the copilot’s seat. “It’s all good,” he tells Logan. “He sort of earned that rep.”
“Blake will straighten him out,” Logan assures him.
“Obviously. She’s a great girl. He’s lucky to have her.”
I rumble in frustration. “Seriously? Now you’re both happy about this?”
“Of course,” Dad says. “We’ve been dreaming about this since we were boys.”
“You met in college!”
“College boys,” he shrugs.
