Page 66 of Axe Marks the Spot

“Cringe,” Dane and Kas say at the same time. They look at each other in amusement before Kas breaks out into giggles once more.

“How do you know that, Logger Dane?” she asks.

“Yeah, Logger Dane, how do you know that?” I add.

He swallows another bite of his food. “The internet.”

Kas snort-laughs. “Logger Dane, that is Ohio.”

Dane smiles like I’ve never seen him smile before he shrugs. “I have to keep up with you kids. I don’t know what you’re saying half the time.”

“Please don’t talk like that on Friday. You’ll embarrass yourself.”

“Kas!” I say.

“What? I’m saving him.”

Dane eats another large bite of his weird omelet, then says, “I appreciate the advice. I’ll take it under advisement.”

Kas giggles yet again, and I think she says “It’s your funeral” under her breath.

“Sorry,” I say to Dane.

His gaze turns to mine, and the sparkle in his eyes mesmerizes me. “It’s fine.”

My eyes fall to his lips as his tongue darts out to lick away remnants of his food. I watch the action as if it’s a documentary on National Geographic. I wonder what that tongue would feel like on my skin, or his lips sucking on my neck. My nipples tighten at the dirty thought, and I shiver.

“Cold?” he asks.

His rich voice resonates through me, and embarrassment floods my cheeks. I manage to meet his eyes, and I can tell right away that he knows I’m not cold. I’m the opposite. So very much the opposite.

“It’s hot in here, Mom; how are you cold?”

Kasandra’s question throws me back to reality, and I shift my body away from Dane as far as I can—which isn’t far considering there’s a wall preventing me from moving. Why did I say he could stay again? This was a stupid idea.

“I’m fine, honey. Just got a random shiver.”

She eats a bite of her burger. “You want a fry, Logger Dane?”

My heart speeds up at her question. She really does like him, and I wonder if he’s had any experience with kids or if this is new to him. While this is unexpected, I’ll admit it’s nice having him here. His presence is soothing, and I like when Kas laughs and jokes. I don’t get to see much of it lately.

“Sure,” he says. I know Dane is from here, and I’d bet money he’s tried the diner’s fries before. I know he’s humoring my daughter, and I think I fall in love with him a little for it.

Kas smiles at his answer, looking like a cat who caught the canary as she pushes her plate closer to him. He takes one and pops it in his mouth.

“They’re good,” he says after chewing.

“Better than your egg whites?”

“Want to try for yourself?”

Kas screws up her nose. “No way.”

Dane laughs. “You’re missing out.”

“Don’t think so,” she responds quickly.

Dane and I make eye contact, my cheeks blushing for a whole other reason now. This feels nice. Maybe too nice.