“Worried?”
“Yes.”
“You have nothing to worry about. I know how it looks, she’s young and I’m…olderthan her, but I’d never take advantage of her, I-”
“I know that, Logan. It’s just that… I’ve seen how close the two of you have grown lately, and I can’t help wondering if she’s clinging to you in response to losing her father.”
“I know she misses him a lot, and it’s going to take time to come to terms with it, but if I can take some of that pain away and help her through it, that’s all I want. I know you’re probably not happy with the whole age gap thing, and I tried to fight what was happening between us based on that alone, but I guess I wasn’t strong enough.”
“I only want what’s best for my daughter.”
“So do I,” I agree.
“Just promise me you won’t hurt her.”
“I promise. That’s the last thing I want for her. I care about her too much to see her get hurt.”
She smiles. “I saw how you were with her the night her dad died. I saw how you held her and took care of her and I never got the chance to thank you for that. So, thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
“As long as she’s happy, that’s all I want. I would never stop her doing anything, she’s mature and she knows her own mind, so if she wants to be with you, then I guess that’s fine with me.” And with that, she leaves me standing in the kitchen, placing a hand on my bicep as she passes.
Chapter 17
Amy
Imust have changed my outfit about six times tonight, checking out my reflection before tearing off one outfit and replacing it with another. My bedroom floor is strewn with discarded clothes and I’ve never seen it so messy, but it’s the least of my worries right now.
Why am I so nervous?
It’s just dinner. Regardless, I can’t seem to stop my stomach from flipping when I think about seeing Logan again.
In the end, I settled for one of the few summer dresses I own, a baby pink dress that falls just below my knees. I put on some of the makeup that Quinn left behind a couple of months ago, doing my best to apply a thin layer of foundation, some mascara and a coat of nude lipstick. I check myself in the mirror one last time before heading downstairs.
I hear chatter coming from the living room, and I round the corner to find Logan playing with AJ on one of his video games, both of them sat glued to the TV screen while their thumbs work quickly over their controllers.
Their backs are to me, so when I walk into view, Logan’s eyes instantly find me and he smiles softly, looking me up and down. The feel of his eyes on me has a shiver rolling down my spine and as always, a blush heating my cheeks.
“You look beautiful,” he says.
“Thank you. You don’t scrub up too bad yourself,” I reply, eyeing the pale grey button-up shirt and dark jeans, jeans without rips, holes and oil stains for a change.
“Ha! Loser! I win!” AJ shouts, waving his arms above his head in victory. Seeing him like this is a shock, it’s the first time in weeks that I’ve seen my little brother smile.
“Good game, bud.” Logan holds out his fist and AJ bumps it with his own.
“Wanna go again?” AJ asks excitedly.
“I’d love to, bud, but I’ve got a date with your sister.” My heart skips a beat at the sound of the worddate.
Is that what it is? But he doesn’t date, so how can it be?
Logan sets aside the controller and rises from the sofa, making his way over to me. He pulls me in by my waist and presses a kiss to my lips, keeping it PG, what with my little brother in the room.
My mom comes into the room and eyes us both with a knowing smile. “So, Logan, my daughter tells me you’re cooking her dinner tonight?”
“Yes, ma’am. Special Cooper recipe. If I told you, I’d have to kill you.” He winks.
