Chapter 29
LOGAN
After a long, grueling day, all I want to do is kick back with Rosie. But she had to work late too, so now I’m just waiting. The good news is that with everything out in the open now, she’s heading over here as soon as she wraps up at the office.
I glance around my apartment, trying to see it the way Rosie will, and I’m starting to second-guess my invitation.
Maybe I should’ve picked up some throw pillows.
Or a candle. Anything to make the place feel less like a hotel and more like a home.
I’ve never minded it before. It’s modern and gets the job done.
But now I’m worried she won’t be comfortable here.
The last thing I want is for my place to remind her of the one she shared with Julian.
Sure, the condo’s functional. It has plenty of space, and everything’s been professionally decorated in fifty shades of greige.
But Rosie’s loft is packed with character.
It may be cramped, but it’s also colorful and charming and always smells like the tropics or freshly baked cookies.
Mine feels cavernous by comparison and smells like purified air mixed with hundred-dollar bills.
At least I’ve got one redeeming quality: the rooftop terrace.
It’s a shared space between the two penthouse units, with sprawling city views, a lap pool, and an oversized hot tub.
On the other end, there’s a large seating area and a gas fire pit.
The roof is a great space to throw a party—something Ryan and I have definitely taken advantage of—but it’s just as good when you want a quiet place to chill with someone special.
Rosie’s been up there before, but never as my date.
Tonight, I’m changing that.
I take the private stairwell up to the top and do one final sweep, making sure everything’s set. Prosecco is chilling, the fire pit’s ready to go, and the lighting is just soft enough to set the mood.
My phone buzzes with a text from Rosie.
Rosie: Just parked.
I smile as I type my reply.
Me: See you in a few.
I head back downstairs to wait. A minute later, there’s a knock at my door. I open it to find my beautiful girl standing there, brown eyes scanning the space behind me before settling on my face.
“Hi,” she says with a shy smile.
“Get in here, Pip.” I pull her into me with more enthusiasm than I’d intended, causing her to bounce off my chest like a pinball. “Sorry. I’ve been waiting a long time to see you in my place. Guess I’m a little excited.”
Rosie rubs the bridge of her nose. “Stupid chest muscles.”
I place a soft kiss on the tip. “I seem to recall you appreciating my ‘stupid chest muscles’ on more than one occasion.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she mutters as she breezes past me, her catlike curiosity taking the lead.
I smirk, shutting the door behind her. “What do you think?”
She glances around the open floor space. “It’s so…ummm.”
Impersonal? Generic? Boring as shit?
I cross my arms, leaning against the counter. “Not what you were expecting?”
“Not really.” Rosie shrugs. “It’s not like you’ve ever been obnoxiously flashy, but I guess I was picturing something with a little more flair.
For some reason I had this vision of you sitting in your secret lair with a wall of monitors and a NASA-grade control deck.
” She tilts her head, considering. “And some interactive holograms. Maybe some sort of robotic assembly line. A talking assistant wired into the house, perhaps?”
I shake my head, chuckling. “I think you’re confusing me with Tony Stark.”
“Mmm.” She bites her lip. “Possibly. I do seem to have a thing for absurdly attractive tech gurus.”
I grin, pushing off the counter. “Come on, goofball, let me give you the grand tour.”
I take her hand and guide her into the open-concept kitchen.
It’s sharp, in an understated Scandinavian way.
White oak cabinets, matte black finishes, and stone countertops that cost a small fortune.
The pendant lights above the island are thin black rods ending in seeded glass orbs.
Bougie, maybe, but I’m man enough to admit they’re also sleek as hell.
Like Rosie said, I’m not a flashy guy, but I do appreciate quality craftsmanship when I see it.
“I told the architects I wanted a chef’s kitchen, but I’ve barely used it. Lately, I’ve been at your place—obviously—but before that, I usually worked so late I’d just grab takeout on the way home.” I shrug. “Or Ryan and I would order in and watch a game.”
“Bros doing bro things.” Rosie snorts as she walks toward the floor-to-ceiling windows. “Okay, this view is the shit. Way better than Ry’s.”
“Hence, why I took the west-facing unit.” I pause, giving her a minute to soak up the view before leading her down the hall. “That’s the theater-slash-gaming room.”
She scans the plush recliners, multiple consoles, and ridiculously large TV. “Sweet Flamin’ Hot Cheetos! How big is that screen?”
“Ninety-eight inches.” I duck my head, feeling a little embarrassed. “I know it’s over-the-top, but with home entertainment, you kinda have to go big, or go home. Bigger screens and better speakers provide a more immersive experience.”
“Well, if the online gambling thing doesn’t work out, I’m sure you can get a job at Best Buy with that pitch,” she jokes, making me laugh.
“You know, I’ve always had this notion that oversized TVs were the electronics version of guys compensating for small dicks with big trucks…
but apparently, you’re out here rewriting the laws of science. ”
I give her a shameless grin. “Sorry to disprove your theory.”
Her eyes fall below my belt. “Meh. I’m perfectly happy being wrong on this one.”
I force myself to stay where I’m at, or we’ll never make it up to my surprise on the roof. “Stop eye-fucking me, woman. You’re making me feel like a piece of meat.”
“Oh, shut up.” Rosie shoves me away. “Fine. Get on with the tour, you ass.”
I bow dramatically, gesturing for her to walk ahead. Mostly so I don’t pin her against the wall and have my way with her, but partly because at least this way, I get to enjoy the view.
Next up is the guest room. “So, this is technically the guest bedroom and bath, but it’s never actually had a guest.”
She peeks inside and gasps. “Holy shit! You have a portal to a Pottery Barn inside your house! I’ve always wanted one of these.”
“Exactly why I paid top dollar and hired the best sorcerer to open one,” I deadpan, earning a smile. “C’mon, smartass. Onward.”
We cruise past the powder room, the laundry room, and my office.
Our last stop is my bedroom. The room is extra spacious, the mattress is the most comfortable fucking thing I’ve ever slept on, but overall, my so-called private oasis has the personality of a software update.
Necessary, sure, but nobody gets excited about a minor bug fix, no matter how you spin it.
“I know it’s kinda bland,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck.
“But if you ever feel like bringing some of your stuff over…like pillows, candles, throw blankets, or whatever, to make you feel more at home, I’d be totally okay with that.
There’s plenty of room in the closet, too, if you want to stash some clothes here. ”
Her gaze snaps to mine, surprised. “Yeah? You really wouldn’t mind?”
I step closer, brushing the hair out of her eye. “I’d actually love it, Pip. I never realized how fucking dull this place was until I started spending so much time in yours. Turns out, I’m not as into the neutral hotel aesthetic as I thought I was.”
She laughs. “Well, lord knows I certainly have enough color around my apartment to spare. I could definitely bring some stuff over. But when your condo is overrun with girly shit, don’t say you didn’t ask for it.”
“Deal.” I fight a losing battle with a grin. “C’mon, I have a surprise for you up on the roof.”
“A surprise, you say? Color me curious.” Rosie grabs my offered hand and allows me to lead her up the staircase to the roof.
I realize I’m nervous as I push the door open. Every time she’s been up here, it’s been during a party. Thumping bass, people laughing and splashing in the pool, talking and drinking by the fire. It was fun, but loud and chaotic.
This is different.
This is intimate.
We step onto the rooftop, and her eyes widen at the sight in front of us.
The firepit’s already glowing, throwing a golden hue over the outdoor seating area.
A bottle of prosecco is chilling in a bucket beside a covered tray.
Beyond the low glass wall, the entire city stretches out in glittering 360-degree perfection.
“Wow.” Rosie lets out a soft breath. “Logan…this is insane.”
“It’s a lot different when there aren’t dozens of other people up here, right?” I ask, brushing my hand down her back.
“Very much so.” She nods, gaze still roaming the space. “Dialing up the swoon again, Edwards.” Her chin lifts, and I can’t resist swooping down and taking her lips in mine.
“You know me. All swoon, all the time.”
Her eyes roll. “And there you go, leveling it out once again.”
Laughing, I lead her to the cushioned lounge, pouring us each a glass of sparkling wine. She toes off her shoes and settles in beside me, knees tucked beneath her. I take a moment to watch as the flames cast golden flecks in her dark irises.
“To no more hiding,” I say, lifting my glass.
“No more hiding.” She smiles, clinking her glass against mine. “Whatcha got under there?” Rosie gestures to the covered food tray.
“See for yourself.”
She lifts the tray and gasps. “Charcuterie! If I wasn’t already planning on sleeping with you tonight, this would’ve sealed the deal.”
I laugh. “I know how much you love tiny food arranged on boards.”
Since Rosie’s a vegetarian, it’s not the traditional deli meat and cheese spread. Instead, I went with assorted fruit, cheese, crackers, and bite-sized desserts. Her eyes light up more and more as she sees each one.