His lips twitched with amusement. “As fantastic as that is, babe, sometimes I want to spend time with you when we’re not having sex.”
“What a revelation,” I teased.
He gave me a deadpan look before leading me into the store. “Shop.”
I snorted at his demand but started looking around. Seeing the mounting boredom on Logan’s face, I moved a little faster and picked up some cute sarcastic slogan T-shirts I thought Maia would approve of, a pair of skinny jeans, some fashion jewelry, and a purse.
“You’re spoiling her,” Logan murmured as he stood at the checkout with me.
“She deserves a little spoiling. And look who’s talking, Mr. Laptop.”
Without warning, he kissed me. And not just a brush of lips against lips. It was a full-on, tongue-in-my-mouth, luscious, wet kiss.
“What was that for?” I whispered, perfectly aware of the burning stares from the retail assistant and other patrons.
Logan didn’t answer, but the expression on his face… the look in his eyes… the emotion they conveyed were so overwhelming I had to look away.
I wanted to believe so much in that look on his face, and yet I was still terrified too.
The girl ringing up my presents for Maia stared at me with open envy. I squirmed at her assessing stare and looked down at my purse.
There it was again.
Why was he with her?
My mood plummeted, the high of buying Maia gifts slowly flowing out of me as we wandered back down Princes Street.
“Let’s grab something to eat,” Logan said, and I nodded absentmindedly. “What do you fancy?”
“Anything.”
He led us uphill off Princes Street and hailed a cab. As soon as we got inside it, he gave the guy our home address. I stared at him in question.
Logan shrugged. “Maybe if I get you home you’ll relax. You’ve been tense the whole time we’ve been out.”
My lips parted in surprise at his observation. I didn’t realize he was that perceptive. “I’m fine,” I lied.
His expression darkened. “Don’t lie to me.”
“It’s nothing,” I assured him. “It’s silly. My own insecurities. I’m working on it, but I can’t work on it if you take us home.”
“Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.”
I glanced over at the cabdriver, but he didn’t appear to paying much attention to us. “It’s silly.”
“You said that already.”
Heeding the warning in his impatient tone, I blurted out, “I feel like people are staring at us and wondering why the hell you’re with me.”
Logan stared at me in shock. “Fuck,” he bit out, the muscle in his jaw twitching. “Your mother really did a number on you, didn’t she?”
I flinched at the reminder. “I said I’m working on it.”
“I’ve changed my mind, mate,” Logan suddenly said loudly to the driver. “The Caffeine Drip.”
“I love that place,” I murmured.
“I know.” He took my hand in his, his grip tight, possessive. “And when we go in there, I want you to think of one thing.” He bent his head, his lips inches from mine. “When I walk anywhere with your hand in mine, I’m proud as fuck that a woman like you is with me.”
I felt the sting of tears in my eyes and nose. “I kind of like you, Logan MacLeod.”
His grin was wicked and slow. “You kind of more than like me, Miss Grace Farquhar.”
I tutted. “You really are far too cocky for your own good.”
His breath whispered hot across my ear. “You kind of more than like my cock… iness.”
I blushed and swatted him away, but he only pulled me closer into his chest so I could feel his laughter against me.
CHAPTER 24
“I
t looks busy, guys,” Maia said as we approached D’Alessandro’s a week later.
“It’s a Saturday, but we’ll be fine. I booked the table a few weeks ago,” I lied, as Logan and I lured her into the restaurant under the pretense that we were having a quiet birthday dinner together.
Logan pulled open the door. “Ladies first.”
Maia stepped into the restaurant wearing one of the slogan T-shirts I’d bought her and the skinny jeans. I’d managed to talk her into wearing some jewelry and a pair of heeled boots to dress it up a little, and I’d insisted on putting waves in her hair. She looked so pretty. And so not aware of what lay before her!
I felt like a big kid, giddy for her reaction.
“Ah, Logan, Grace.” Marco’s uncle Gio greeted us from behind the host’s desk, having apparently been waiting for us himself.
A few days ago I’d met with Gio and his wife, Gabby, to give them the decorations and work out logistics for Maia’s party. They’d very kindly rented out the back room of the restaurant to us at a crazily discounted price.
“And this must be Maia?” He held out his hand.
Maia shook it, seeming bemused by the attention of the owner of D’Alessandro’s.
“Come, come. I’ll show you to your table.” His eyes twinkled with mischief.
We followed him through the front room and down a narrow hall that immediately opened up into a large room.
“Surprise!”
Maia jolted to a halt at the cries of our new friends and her new family. All of the girls were there with their partners and kids, as promised, and Ellie’s mum and dad were there, too, along with Jo’s boss and Olivia’s dad, Mick, and his wife, Dee.
The children were jumping up and down with excitement as Maia stared around the room in shock.
Streamers hung from the ceiling and every nook and cranny. A massive silver banner printed with HAPPY SWEET SIXTEEN, MAIA was draped along the back wall. Tables were set up around one half of the room, a large buffet of food on one of them, a stack of presents on another. As discussed, we had a projector on the wall adjacent to the banner wall, and at that moment pictures of Maia with all of us were flicking on a slide show. We had a couple of Pixar movies to put on it later to occupy the younger children. Chairs and beanbags were placed in front of it for the kids.
“Oh my God,” Maia whispered.
Logan put his arm around her and pulled her in to his side. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”
She looked up at him in teary-eyed awe. “Dad…”
He kissed her forehead. “Grace and the girls put this together for you.”
“But it was your dad’s idea,” I added.
“I don’t know what to say.”
Before we could reply, an older couple stepped out from the group, followed by a woman who didn’t look that much older than me. She had dark hair and pretty features that reminded me of Shannon.
I knew immediately who they were.
“Maia.” Logan put his hand on her back and led her forward. “This is my mum and dad and my other sister, Amanda.”
Not wanting to intrude, I skirted around them and strode into the room with Gio at my side, trying, unsuccessfully, not to worry about Maia. “The place looks great,” I said. “Thank you again.”
“No need. We’re happy to host it. Marco’s told us all about Maia and Logan. He’s doing a good job in a tough situation.” I watched Gio walk over to Marco and Hannah, wondering if Logan realized how much people admired and respected him.
Before I could muse too long over the question, Shannon came forward to hug me.
When she pulled back, her brow was wrinkled with worry. “The place looks great.”
“She said with a frown,” I teased.
She nodded her chin in the direction behind me. “They’ve barely said two words to me and Cole.”
“Why? I thought you had worked out your issues.”
Shannon sighed. “A few months ago I asked Logan to walk me down the aisle. Logan asked me to discuss it with Dad first, and of course Mum and Dad fell out with me. And then the whole Maia situation blew up.”
I hissed, “It is kind of a kick in the teeth asking yo
ur brother to walk you down the aisle.”
She blanched. “I know that. Don’t think I didn’t stew over it. But I want my life with Cole to be honest and real, and having my dad walk me down the aisle when he’s never really believed in my relationship with Cole, and he’s definitely never really believed in me, seemed hypocritical. It didn’t feel right.”
“So you asked Logan,” I said. “Well, I think that was brave.”
“Thanks, Grace.” She smiled sadly. “Some people at school think I’m a shit when I tell them.”
“They don’t know what you went through and how your parents weren’t there for you when you needed them the most. They can’t judge. No one can. It’s a difficult situation you’re in, and ultimately you have to make the decision that sits right with you.”
She nodded, expression grave as she looked past my shoulder again. “I don’t want them to hurt her. They have this wonderful way of acting like good parents only to disappear as soon as you disappoint them even slightly.”
Cole drew up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and drawing her back against him. She was so short next to him, he looked like a warrior come to protect her. “You okay, shortcake?”
She nodded and clutched his hand. “I’m just doing my usual freak-out.” Her eyes widened slightly. “They’re coming over here.”
“Should we abandon Grace to them or hang tough?” Cole whispered dramatically.
He succeeded in making her giggle. “I couldn’t live with myself if I abandoned Grace to them.”
“And Grace would never talk to you ever again,” I muttered under my breath, all my muscles stiffening as I watched Logan and Maia approach with the rest of the MacLeods in tow.
Thankfully, Maia was smiling, and her grandparents seemed genuinely happy to be with her.
Logan got to us first. He made a point of kissing Shannon’s cheek and nodding at Cole before sliding his arm across my shoulders and drawing me into him.
I studied Maia on closer inspection, and although she didn’t look upset, she did look slightly overwhelmed. I put my hand out to her subtly, and she immediately grabbed it and burrowed into my side. Logan’s parents and sister watched this interaction with interest and something that seemed a lot like suspicion. I braced myself.
“This is my girlfriend, Grace,” Logan said.
Very quickly I schooled my features.
It was a surprise to hear myself called that. Yet… I found it was a good surprise. I liked the sound of it. This last week Logan had worked very hard to exorcise my demons and insecurities.
I doubted there was a woman alive who felt more wanted than I did right then.
“It’s nice to meet you.” I held my hand out to his mum first, a petite woman with red hair and violet eyes. She was young-looking and still very pretty, and could probably pass for Shannon’s sister. Logan’s other sister, Amanda, had inherited her dark hair and eyes from her father, although his hair was peppered with gray.
He shook my hand after Logan’s mum did. “And what do you do, Grace?” he asked immediately, the question containing more than a hint of interrogation.
Logan tensed against me.
“Grace is a freelance book editor,” Maia piped up. “She’s really good at her job. She has bestselling authors as clients.”
I smiled down at her gratefully. “You make me sound cooler than I am.”
She shot me a look of mock horror. “Are you suggesting books aren’t cool?”
“Ooh, you walked into that one,” Cole teased behind me.
I shot him a look over my shoulder, and he grinned unrepentantly. “Thank you, Mr. Walker, for the narration.”
“You’re very welcome.”
“So how long have you been dating?” Amanda stepped forward. Unlike with her father, there seemed to be just curiosity in the question.
“A while,” Logan replied vaguely. “And before you ask, it is serious. But this party is not. Question time is over. The birthday girl has guests to greet.” Logan led us toward the rest of the tribe, diplomatically making his point. His parents and sister had been invited, they were welcome to get to know Maia, but other than that they had no rights to know anything else about our lives. Not yet.
“You’re kind of wonderful,” I whispered in his ear.
“Just realizing that now?”
I pushed at him playfully, and he laughed, hugging me closer. We watched on in delight as Maia was engulfed by the Carmichaels, Walkers, MacCabes, Sawyers, and so forth. The kids clambered for her attention while she received hugs and kisses from the adults.
“You’re going to crush her,” a tall girl with curly blond hair and blue tip-tilted eyes said, hovering over Maia protectively. Eleven-year-old Beth Carmichael had inherited her father’s height, her mother’s hair and eye shape, and her dad’s pale blue eye color. She was an extremely pretty child, even if she did wear this constant expression of weary disdain that was hilarious on a little girl.
Maia had met Beth when she babysat for Joss and Braden a few weeks ago. According to Maia, the eldest Carmichael child had adopted her as one of her own.
“Okay, we’re done.” Beth fluttered her hands at everyone. “Let her breathe, but most importantly, let her open her presents.” She grinned and stepped back, nodding her head encouragingly at Maia.
I snorted.
Maia smirked. “I think you need to sort out to your priorities, Beth. Breathing always comes before presents.”
We tittered while Beth made a face. “Uh… only just. Presents are, like, the most important part of a birthday.”
Joss, who was holding her baby daughter, Ellie, in her arms, shot her husband a look. “What are you teaching our children?”
“Nu-uh!” Their eight-year-old son, Luke, crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head stubbornly at his sister. “The best part is the food!”
“What are you teaching our children?” Braden countered.
Logan pressed his forehead to the top of mine and chuckled.
“Can we just do something?” Maia said. “So… you know… everyone will stop staring at me.”
“Why?” Beth seemed genuinely bemused by this. “You’re the birthday girl. You should get all of the attention. It’s the third-best part, after the food.”
“You’re not my child,” Joss joked.
Beth put her hands on her hips. “You can’t run from it, Mother.”
Everyone laughed, Braden’s laughter the loudest.
Joss grinned and wrinkled her nose at her daughter. Beth stuck out her tongue and grinned back. “You can’t either,” Joss reminded her.
“I’m younger. I probably could.”
“You run, baby. I’ll run after you.” She winked at her, and Beth smiled before turning her attention back to the still-overwhelmed Maia. I felt happy for Joss and Beth but envious of their teasing. I couldn’t imagine what it would have been like to have grown up in a home where my mother not only loved me, but treated me like a friend.
“Presents,” Maia suddenly announced, seemingly having caught the persistence in Beth’s gaze.
“Yay!” Beth clapped and ran for the table with the presents. “Open mine first! Please, please, please!”
Braden caught Logan’s eye across the room. “She loves buying people presents.”
“You better hide your credit cards,” Logan warned.
“I sleep with them on me.”
“And with one eye open,” Joss cracked before following everyone over to the presents.
“Hey, we didn’t miss anything, did we?”
I spun around out of Logan’s grasp, delight washing through me as Aidan, Juno, and Chloe strode across the room, carrying birthday presents in their hands. “Guys, you made it.”
Aidan engulfed me in a tight hug. “Long time, no see.” He pulled back, his gaze questioning. “Are we okay?”
“Of course.” I shoved him gently. “Don’t be an idiot. I’ve just been busy.”
His gaze move
d over my shoulder. “So I see.”
Juno butted in. “Give me a hug.”
I was just pulling back from hugging Chloe when Logan appeared at my side. Chloe being Chloe, she hugged him whether he wanted to be hugged or not.
After shaking hands with Juno, he offered his hand to Aidan, and as they greeted each other, they eyed each other with masculine wariness.
I was really glad I hadn’t told Logan that Aidan used to be in love with me.
“So,” Aidan began, and I immediately tensed at the mischievous glint in his eyes, “she chose you over the history teacher after all.”
Logan glanced over at me. “I didn’t know the history teacher was an option.”
“He wasn’t,” I said quickly, and then glowered in warning at Aidan.
He just smirked until Juno hit him on the arm.
“A word, Grace.”
“A word, Aidan.”
Logan and I spoke in unison.
“Just… give me a minute to talk to Aidan,” I said.
Without waiting for a response, I grabbed Aidan by his T-shirt and hauled him out of the room into the hallway. Well, not exactly hauled. You didn’t and couldn’t haul Aidan anywhere. “What are you doing?” I hissed.
“Nothing.” He shrugged. “I’m just not convinced about this guy. I want him to know that you have options.”
“I don’t have options,” I whisper shouted. “The history teacher is not an option.”
“That’s not what you said a few weeks ago.”
“A few weeks ago I was hurt. Logan is trying to make up for that. People deserve second chances, Aidan.”
He nodded, concern for me swimming in his eyes. “They do. But, Grace, you have a habit of giving people fifty chances.”
“Look, I know you mean well, but this… Logan isn’t like my mum and dad and Sebastian. He won’t hurt me intentionally.”
“He could still hurt you, intentionally or not.”
“Yes, but so could anyone,” I said, suddenly making the realization myself. “The history teacher could have if I’d given him chance. Even you could have, Aidan.”
He frowned. “He’s not like your usual blokes.”
I laughed. “No, he’s not. And I never felt about them the way I feel about him.”