Chapter 6 #4
“But that doesn’t count dear, you only assisted Paul with a little prep work, and Paul,” she narrowed her gaze at him, “I cook almost every night, the least you can do is both tonight.” They exchanged a look with one another.
“I’m happy to help with the dishes.” Brooke gnawed on her bottom lip. The last thing she wanted to do was to be left alone with Amy. “I didn’t do any cooking either. I should be the one to help.”
“Nonsense.” Amy stood and pushed in her chair. “The rule doesn’t apply to guests, but to Logan who needs to learn to do the dishes. Come on. Let’s leave the men to it.” She waved her over.
Logan leaned in. His lip hovered near her ear. “I think you can’t get out of this.” His breath tickled her neck, “And Mom is about to grill you. I’m sorry,” he whispered.
Brooke whispered back, “I know, you owe me. And remember this is just until the wedding.”
A look of confusion crossed his face. “What wedding?”
She squeezed his forearm. “The one you have to go with me to as payback. Aubrey and Ian’s, remember?”
“Right, right.” He smiled back at those staring at them. He whispered. “You’re doing great.” He kissed her at the temple. “Only another thirty minutes then we’re in the clear. Can you manage that long?”
His expression was open and sincere. Brooke knew if she said the word, he’d leave right then.
“I can tough it out another half hour.” She squeezed his thigh. “I’m having a nice time.”
“I am too.” Logan pushed back his seat and grasped Brooke’s plate stacking it on top of his own before he stood.
Danielle and Amy made quick work of wiping down the twins and lifting them out of their high chairs. They each carried one of the babies into the attached family room. Baby toys were shoved into every available corner. The sight made Brooke smile, because the space looked lived in and enjoyed.
Brooke settled onto the loveseat.
Danielle set Lily into a wide saucer thing while Amy put Amelia into a jumping chair which hung in the doorway which she assumed led to bedrooms. Faint noises came from the kitchen, running water, bustling of pots, and laughter.
Brooke peered over at the men busy cleaning then reverted her attention back to those in the family room.
With the girls occupied, Amy and Danielle sat opposite of her on the couch. For a minute, they watched the babies bounce and play.
“Do you want kids?” Danielle asked out of the blue.
“Oh,” Brooke shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
“I—I—well.” She didn’t know how to answer.
Sure, in a fantasy scenario where she married the perfect guy, she’d want kids.
But she knew the consequences of having kids with someone who wasn’t ready or didn’t want them.
She’d never put herself in that position.
“Maybe, if I found the right person to have them with.”
Amy whacked Danielle on the arm. “You’re coming in a little strong there. Let’s not scare her off.”
Danielle rubbed her arm where Amy had whacked her. “I need to know, because Logan wants kids.” She caught Brooke’s gaze. “He’s great with the twins by the way.”
Brooke crossed then uncrossed her legs. “I would imagine he is.”
“I think what Danielle is trying to say is—” Amy shot Danielle a pointed look. “If you and Logan continued to date, just know he’d be a good dad someday.”
“Okay. I’ll certainly take that into consideration.”
Lily started to fuss. Danielle lifted her out of the saucer then placed her on the floor with a selection of toys.
Amelia whined to be freed from her contraption.
Danielle retrieved her too and set her down next to her sister.
She let out a heavily tired sigh then brushed back some loosened strands of hair with the back of her wrist.
“I can only imagine how tired you must be,” Brooke heard herself comment. Danielle plopped herself down on the floor next to her babies. “Whenever I see new mothers at the hospital, being around them for even minutes, I can sense their exhaustion. How is it going with not one, but two babies?”
“Honestly?” Danielle asked.
Brooke nodded.
“It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’m always tired, always running on empty. Luckily, my parents have helped me a lot. Michael is a great dad too, so that is a bonus. But sometimes it feels like I’m drowning, and I wondered if I’ll ever get to come up for air.”
Suddenly, the dark circles under her eyes seemed more noticeable.
Brooke wondered when the last time Danielle had a full night’s sleep was.
The twins crawled around on the floor then up and down on Danielle’s outstretched legs.
They clawed at every part of her, her pants, shirt, and necklace.
Twins, wow, she was exhausted from only watching them.
One crawled off of her first then the next.
They scampered across the carpeted floor.
Brooke tried to remember who Lily was and who was Amelia.
“I’m sorry. I’ve heard it gets better, at least that’s what the moms who I see say,” Brooke offered.
But her heart pinched tight, and she sincerely wanted to give help to Danielle, but she didn’t know how.
After today she’d drift away from this family’s life never to be seen again.
The twins moved on and fought over books then blocks.
The three women watched the twins play and chatted about nothing of consequence.
Eventually, Logan came into the room. A few seconds later, Michael and Paul appeared behind him.
“Done already?” Brooke lifted her eyebrow.
Paul walked over and sat down next to Amy, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
“Logan here,” Michael came up and clapped his back, “managed to clean up in record speed. I think it might have been due to him wanting to see someone.”
“Guilty. Brooke is my number one girl.” Logan winked at her but then went over and plopped himself down next to the twins.
He picked up Lily and held her high up in the air.
She giggled with delight. Then he brought her back down and snuggled her against his chest. “But I needed to see my other girls before I have to leave, too.”
Lily wiggled out of his embrace and crawled out of his lap.
Danielle scurried off of the floor due to Logan occupying up so much space.
To her surprise, she came and sat next to Brooke on the loveseat.
Michael lowered himself into an accent chair.
Logan stretched his legs out then twisted onto his side, propping himself up with one elbow.
The twins quickly crawled over him. Up and down, they went over his body like it was a wonderful jungle gym.
He laughed and tickled them. Love radiated in the room.
Brooke watched in awe. She’d never seen a man interact with children in such a natural and easy way.
Her pulse raced. If Logan didn’t become a father someday, the world would be deprived of his goodness.
“See,” Danielle whispered. “I told you he was good with kids. I’d hate to see his fatherly instinct wasted.”
“I—I—” Brooke swallowed. Perspiration tickled her temples. She hated lying to these kind unassuming people. His family wanted the best for him, and he deserved it. He deserved anyone but her. “I agree.”
Danielle patted her on her forearm. “Then we are on the same page.”
What page?
Marry and have a couple of kids page?
If only they knew this was a lie, a lie that would only carry on until her friend’s wedding.
Her skin itched. “Logan,” her voice cracked. She swiped at the perspiration on her temple and cleared her throat. This evening must end, immediately. When he didn’t appear to hear her, she repeated louder, “Logan—”
He glanced over his shoulder and met her gaze. “Yeah?” He studied her.
“I need—” Brooke fidgeted with her watch, “to head home. Remember, I have an early shift at the hospital tomorrow?”
Her pulse galloped. She couldn’t stay any longer in this home, not when her relationship with Logan wasn’t real. Logan needed to be here with Shelby. Shelby was the person for him, she’d fit.
“Oh.” Logan quickly sat up. His lips formed a tight smile. “Right, I completely forgot.” He kissed each of the twins on their heads then stumbled to his feet.
Brooke scooted off the loveseat and readjusted her blouse as she stood. “It was nice meeting all of you.” She glanced around the room and tried to flash her best smile.
Everyone rose to their feet in a rush. Danielle and Michael each scooped up a baby. Amy and Paul crossed the room.
“Thank you for coming.” Without hesitation, Amy pulled her into a hug. “I’m glad Logan found you,” she whispered before she let go.
Logan hugged everyone goodbye.
With Lily on her hip, Danielle moved closer to Brooke. “Sorry.” She avoided eye contact and glanced down at Lily. “I shouldn’t have brought up Logan wanting kids. I apologize if I made things awkward.”
Brooke cupped Lily’s cheek with her hand and didn’t find Danielle’s gaze. “It’s fine.” She brushed the baby’s cheek then dropped her hand. “I know you only want what’s best for him. Don’t worry, I want that too.”
“I want my brother to be happy,” Danielle added.
And it’s not you.
Those were the words left unsaid.
The sting of rejection made her chest tighten. She wasn’t even good enough as a fictional girlfriend.
“I know.” Brooke smiled and met Danielle’s gaze. She pulled back her shoulders and straightened her back. “I want him to be happy too.”
Logan finished his goodbyes and came up next to her. He placed a hand on the small of her back. Her body warmed to his touch. He leaned in closer for only her to hear when he said, “Let’s get you out of here.”
More goodbyes followed, since one didn’t seem to be enough for this family. His parents walked them to the front door and watched as they walked to their car. Brooke waved back to them. Logan made it to the car and opened her door. She scooted into her passenger seat.
“I know they are a lot—” Logan gripped the corner of the car door and peered over to his parents’ front door. They had wandered back inside. He twisted back at her. He scratched his chin. “Did my sister say something weird?”
“No.” Brooke leaned back in her seat. “She was fine. But she did mention how you wanted kids.” Then as an afterthought, she added, “I think she doesn’t think I fit the bill for you.”
Logan groaned and leaned his forehead against his hand.
“I told her I’d only have kids if I found the right person.” He popped his head back up. “Sounds like a reasonable answer to me, right?”
“Totally.” Brooke fidgeted with the end of her jacket. “I’ll never see them again, and I bought you a little time, so you’re welcome.”
“Thanks.” He straightened himself. “Hey, we survived, right? Soon this will be a distant memory for them. And you won’t need to worry about my sister who doesn’t know boundaries.”
Logan might forget her.
His family might forget her.
But Brooke knew Logan was one person she’d remember, forever.
“So true.” Brooke placed her hand flat against his hard abdomen and gazed up at him.
“And for what it’s worth, I had a nice time even with Danielle.
But I started to feel guilty lying to them.
They really care about you. It was refreshing to be around a family, especially parents who want what’s best for their kids.
You’re blessed with a beautiful family. I hope you can find someone who can slide right into the missing spot next to you. ”
“Me too.” Logan rubbed the back of his neck.
“You—”
A voice from behind interrupted them.
“Logan?”
They peered over their shoulders toward the voice.
Shelby. She knew it, because she had the look.
Brooke’s gut clenched. A beautiful blonde with long flowy hair floated on over to the car.
Logan’s back stiffened. He shifted back to face Brooke, and they locked eyes.
Understanding passed between them. Logan let go of the corner of the car door.
He leaned his back against the car. “Shelby, what are you doing here?” He plunged a hand into his pocket and made no attempts to move closer.
She called it.
Her heart plummeted.
Brooke glanced quickly between Logan and Shelby. And in a snap, hope vanished. The one who got away would win again.