Instinctively, I lean back from Jeremy like I’ve been caught doing something wrong, even though nothing inappropriate was happening.
The old Logan, if he’d found me alone with someone like Jeremy, someone he already thinks is interested in me, would’ve staked his claim.
When women hit on Logan, my defense was laughter. I’d make a joke of it, brush it off like it didn’t matter.
Logan’s, on the other hand, was to be physical. Whether it was a kiss to my temple, or a hand around my waist. He always did it with the confident smile of a man that believed in his claim.
Now though, his expression is thunderous, and I’m not sure if it’s aimed at me or the oblivious man beside me who’s already extending a hand toward my husband.
“Hey, man,” he says easily, with his hand hovering in the air.
Logan doesn’t move though; he just stares at him.
For a long, uncomfortable second, the only sound in the room is the coffee machine gurgling behind us.
Jeremy finally seems to catch on to the awkwardness. His smile falters and his hand starts to lower.
Then Logan snaps forward and grabs it.
Not in a friendly way. More like he’s proving a point.
Instead of the casual greeting Jeremy clearly expected, Logan asks, “What are you doing here?”
His tone is clipped. Borderline hostile.
I cringe.
God, does he really think something’s going on between us?
The thought makes me sick.
Jeremy either doesn’t notice or chooses to ignore Logan’s hostile behavior. “Just had a meeting in the building,” he says. Then he laughs lightly. “Your wife found me in the elevator and lent an ear.”
Logan’s eyes flick to me for half a second before returning to Jeremy.
“Is everything okay?” Logan asks, his voice controlled but tight.
Jeremy shifts on his feet, suddenly looking a little more aware of the tension in the room.
“Uh… yeah. I mean, mostly,” he says. He glances between us. “I was actually thinking about… selling the business.”
That catches both of us off guard.
“What?” I ask before Logan can respond. “Selling?”
Jeremy nods. “Yeah. It’s just… too much work with just me now.” He shrugs. “I started the business in my basement; I don’t want to sell to someone who’ll just break it up for parts.”
He hesitates, then looks directly at Logan.
“I was hoping you’d consider buying it.”
“Taking over your business?” I ask, when Logan stays quiet.
Jeremy gives a small, nervous smile. “I’ve been thinking about it ever since you turned down the job offer,” he says to me. “Figured if anyone would take care of it right, it’d be you two.”
Logan folds his arms across his chest.
“You came here to pitch that to Jess?” he asks.
