She bites her bottom lip. “I couldn’t sleep,” she says, her voice barely a whisper.
I step into the room. “Why couldn’t you sleep?”
Those big brown eyes pull me in. “I missed you,” she replies.
Finally! I fight hard not to grin. I feel like I’m making a breakthrough. I walk around her desk and kneel beside her chair, resting my hand on her leg. “You should have come to me, or called or texted or sent a fucking carrier pigeon. You could have yelled for me, and I would have been there,” I say emphatically.
She reaches out and places her hand on my cheek. She’s initiating contact, another breakthrough that has my heart pounding in my chest. “I didn’t want to wake you.”
“It’s safe to say from this day forward, if you’re not tucked in beside me, I’m not sleeping for shit. Never hold out if you need me, Logan.”
She nods then changes the subject. “So, Cassidy sent me an e-mail, and it looks like Sunday we, well, I mean, all of you will be visiting Children’s Hospital.”
“We. You are included in anything and everything I do from here on out. I want you with me all the time. I can’t seem to get enough of you.”
This causes her to blush. There’s my girl. “Okay, well, Sunday at one is when we’re supposed to be there. I have some swag all ready for you guys to sign for them.” She points to a box on the floor.
“Thank you. Now let’s go get some breakfast.”
“Wait, what were you going to do before you saw I was up?”
“I was going to go for a run, but not when I can enjoy a quiet breakfast with you before the guys show up.” I tug on her arm and pull her into the kitchen.
“Sit,” I tell her, pointing to the island. “Today I’m making breakfast for you. The guys can fend for themselves.”
“I don’t mind cooking.”
“Nope, I want to spoil you today. So, my dear, what would you like on your bagel?” I say it with a straight face.
Logan, on the other hand, bursts out laughing. “What are my options?” she asks when her laughter is under control.
“Let’s see. We have butter, cream cheese, peanut butter, jelly, and honey.”
“I’ll have cream cheese, please and thank you.” She giggles.
“So when does Stacy come home?”
“Tomorrow. She has to be back to work this weekend.”
“How about the apartment? Heard anything?”
“Yeah.” She sighs. “There was an e-mail this morning from the management company stating it will be at least another two weeks. There was some kind of issue with the contractor.”
“You know you’re welcome here forever, right? Hell, you can move in if you want.” The words fly out of my mouth, but I mean every word.
“Stacy said I could stay at her parents.’ I didn’t feel comfortable staying there without her, but since she’s coming home . . .” Her voice trails off.
“Bring her here. You can both stay here. I’m sure staying with her parents is not high on her list of options,” I say. I finish spreading cream cheese on her bagel and set the plate in front of her on the island. I place my hand on the back of her head and lean forward. “Please don’t leave. I want you here.” I’m begging her, and I’m okay with that. If that’s what it takes to get her to understand that I need her, I’ll do it.
“Thank you. I would like to stay here.” I’m getting ready to respond when she says, “With you.”
Best fucking day ever! Not able to control myself, I lean in and kiss her cheek. “You made my day, babe.”
Today is turning out to be another great day with her. Last night things went a little south, but not because of her, just because my dumb ass doesn’t seem to want to function without her. I loved showing her the property yesterday and we talked, really talked. I understand where her fear is coming from, but it looks as though she’s slowly coming around.
Chapter 36
Logan
This week flew by. Kacen took every opportunity for us to spend time together. We’re not officially together, but he’s wearing me down.
Today we went to Children’s Hospital and visited with some of the older kids. All four of the guys were amazing. They were patient with the kids and didn’t treat them as if they were sick. They played board games with them, and the last hour or so, played for them. It was all a capella and the guys took requests. It was a sight to see my rockers singing Taylor Swift. It was even more shocking that they knew the words. On the drive home, they quickly reminded me that they love all genres of music. I think I hurt their feelings, though not intentionally.
As we were packing up to leave, the fifteen-year-old boy who requested that Soul Serenade visit rolled over to Kacen and me in his wheelchair. He stuck his hand out for Kacen to shake and thanked him for an awesome day. I couldn’t prevent the tears that burned hot behind my eyes. Then the kid pointed at me and asked Kacen, “Is she your girlfriend?”
I was embarrassed at first, mainly because I know he wants me to be. “She’s my girl,” he told him, and my heart swelled. It was in that moment that I knew I could no longer fight the inevitable. He makes me happy, and he’s proven time and time again that I’m who he wants. Life is full of risks, and I have to risk my heart in order to reap the reward.
We’ve been home for about an hour and I’m pacing the foyer, waiting for Stacy. She got home two days ago, but had a mandatory meeting yesterday, so I haven’t been able to see her. I miss her. I want to hear all about her vacation, and then I have a ton to catch her up on. She’s missed a lot between Kacen and me.
I’m sure she’s going to be thrilled to know I’m going to tell him tonight after she leaves that I’m in, and I want anything and everything he’s offering. I want to take the risk, especially if he is my reward.
“Is she here yet?” Cole asks as he sits down on the bottom step. Ever since that night in the bar, he’s been bugging me about her. What’s she like? Is she seeing anyone? The list goes on and on. We can all see he’s interested, despite only having met her for a couple of hours. I can only assume that Tristan and Gavin are going to make it hard on him tonight, flirting with her every chance they get. I need to make sure I warn her about those three.
My phone beeps with a text:
Stacy: I’m here. Can you open the gate?
Me: On it.
I walk toward the panel on the wall that controls the gate, but Cole beats me to it. I’m going to enjoy watching him go head to head with my bestie.
I dash out the front door and down the steps, waiting for her to make it up the driveway. As soon as the car stops, I’m rushing her door and pulling it open. We engulf each other in a tight hug.
“I missed your ass,” she laughs.
“I missed you, too. How was vacation?”
“Good, Mom and Dad drove me crazy. ‘When are you going to settle down? I want grandkids . . . yadda, yadda, yadda.’ You know how they are.”
“Yes, I do. You should stay here at least a night or two to give yourself a break,” I offer.
“Listen to you being Ms. Hostess. Does that hottie rock star of yours know you’re passing along that invitation?”