Jake turns to me and grins like an idiot. I can’t help but notice he has a rapidly bruising cheek, and I wonder if he got injured fighting the fire. “Hey Chloe. Good to see you. Terra mentioned this plot twist, and I have to say, I didn’t see it coming.”
Logan glares at Jake, who purposely ignores him, and River reaches up and takes hold of Jake’s helmet, lifts it, and plops it on his own head before giggling gleefully.
“Can I go see the truck?” River asks, excitedly.
“Sorry kiddo, but it’s still kind of crazy out there and not a place for little tough guys like you,” Jake says, and River’s face falls. “But why doesn’t your dad bring you by the station next week?”
River’s head spins around to Logan, who nods before the boy can ask. River looks thrilled. Logan reaches for him and pulls him from Jake’s arms. “You gotta get back in bed now Riv,” Logan tells his son. “Or else we’ll be too tired to go to the restaurant tomorrow to see Grammy and Grampy.”
“Okaaay…” He doesn’t sound the least bit thrilled, but he begrudgingly hands Jake his helmet and when Jake puts him down, he trots down the hall.
“I’ll tuck you in in a minute,” Logan calls after him and then looks at his dog. “Chewie, go with him.”
Chewie jumps off the couch, causing the floorboards to rattle, and trots off behind River. I point to Jake’s cheek “Did that happen at Mrs. Green’s?”
“Yes. When my fellow firefighter, her son, clocked me for not letting him go into the house,” Jake replies. Logan is scowling.
“If you don’t write him up, I fucking will,” Logan growls lowly so River won’t overhear.
Jake just shakes his head. “He thought his mom was in there, dude. I’ll talk to him when everything settles down.”
Logan wants to argue, I can see it in his eyes, but he doesn’t. Jake claps his shoulder. “Thanks for helping out.”
“Mrs. Green is okay?” I ask.
Logan and Jake both nod and Logan says, “She inhaled some smoke, so they’re bringing her to the hospital. She’ll likely spend the night, but it’s a precaution. She’s okay.”
Jake gently slaps the side of Logan’s face with his gloved hand. Logan frowns. “Get out.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Jake grins and winks at me. “You got yourself a real ray of sunshine here, Chloe. His wildly happy, boisterous spirit can be overwhelming, can’t it?”
“Shut the fuck up,” Logan mutters pushing Jake to the open door.
“I wish he’d take things a wee bit more seriously, though,” Jake keeps going. “He’s like a cheerleader on uppers isn’t he?”
I’m laughing as Logan shoves Jake out of the apartment and closes the door. He turns to me and scowls, but it’s all show. Also, it makes the space between my legs pulse with desire. “You like that? Making fun of me?”
“I like you and your family. They’re a hoot.”
“They’re also a pain in the ass,” he replies and walks over to me. His left hand circles my waist and his right gently cups the side of my face before he gives me a gentle kiss. “Thanks for helping me out with Riv.”
“Anytime,” I say easily. “Not the way I was hoping to meet River, but he took it like a champ. He’s a great kid.”
“Thanks.” He kisses me again and then a little voice interrupts us, bellowing from his room.
“Daaaad! Did you forget to tuck me in?”
Logan chuckles against my lips and I smile. “Coming, Bub.”
I step out of Logan’s arms, but it isn’t easy. “Hope the rest of your night is uneventful.”
“I wish you could stay and make it eventful,” he whispers and grins at me.
“Me too.”
“I drop River off Sunday afternoon. Do you want to have dinner that night?”
“I’d love that, but I’m working,” I explain. “At your restaurant. Doing some photos for the website.”
