16. Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Sixteen
IZZY
The weekend went by entirely too fast, even though I didn’t do much besides cleaning and grocery shopping. Not exactly how I imagined twenty-one to be. At least I was going out tonight for Nicole's birthday.
“All done?” I asked Alice.
She nodded. “Your turn.”
I took over stirring the cookie dough mixture. They wanted to make chocolate chip cookies before their mom got home, stating it was her favorite treat. And as it was one of my favorite things to do, I'd use any excuse to bake.
They took turns scooping balls of dough onto the cookie sheet before I slid it into the oven. The timer went off, and my phone chimed from the counter as I was pulling the cookies back out. I picked it up and clicked on the text from Maggie.
Maggie: Would you mind getting the girls packed up and driving them over to Logan's? I've got an emergency surgery.
Any other day I would have taken them to Logan’s after school, but school was closed today for a teacher in-service day. Maggie and I already discussed the possibility of me taking them to Logan’s if she was running late. And I couldn’t even bring myself to be upset about the change in plans. The idea of seeing him again shouldn't excite me so much. But it did. I typed out a response to Maggie.
Me: Of course.
“Hey, girls.” I waited until they appeared at the entrance to the kitchen. “Can you run upstairs and get your stuff for your dad's? Your mom's going to be late tonight.”
They both nodded and took off running. Apparently, the change in plans didn’t bother them either. But they were always excited to see Logan. He’s their dad. What was my excuse?
Shaking that thought from my brain, I busied myself in the kitchen separating the cookies into two containers. Alice agreed to leave some for Maggie and take some to their dad, too. That was only fair.
When I pulled down the driveway that ran along the side of Logan's house, my gaze landed on Logan under the hood of his truck in front of the detached garage. My breathing increased as I took in his shirtless back, his jeans hanging low on his hips.
Jesus. The amount of muscles on him was insane.
I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth as he turned to face us, struggling to look at anything but his wide shoulders and how defined his chest and abs were. My core throbbed. Why did he have to be so freaking sexy?
The girls jumped out and grabbed their bags before running toward him. I took a deep breath and grabbed the container of cookies from the passenger seat. Not like I could sit in the car any longer and drool over the man.
Having gotten hugs and hellos, two identical heads, with their dark hair pulled back in matching ponytails, blew past me on their way to the side door of the house. “Bye, Izzy,” they both said before disappearing inside.
It looked like I was giving the sexy single dad his cookies because his kids forgot all about them. I stopped a few feet from him and thrust the container out toward him. “Here.”
He cocked a brow, glancing down at the cookies and then back up to my face.
“They're cookies,” I clarified.
The corners of his lips twitched. “I see that.” He pointed to his chest, and I tried not to follow the movement. “For me?”
I nodded and ran my tongue along my bottom lip as my gaze took in the dusting of hair on his pecs that trailed down along his toned stomach before disappearing under his jeans. He cleared his throat and my gaze shot back to his face.
Focus, Izzy. But the slight smirk on his face made me think he knew he was affecting me. Couldn't he put a freaking shirt on for Christ's sake?
“Yes. For you.” I huffed. Who else did he think they were for? “The girls and I made them.”
He took the container and smiled. “Thanks, Izzy.”
Why did I ever complain about his piss poor attitude? It was so much easier to pretend he was unattractive when he was grumpy. This Logan though, with his smile and shy gratitude, was making it awfully hard to avoid how incredibly sexy he was.
“Uh huh.” The words came out more as a breathy sound. I needed to get out of there. I couldn't even think straight. “I have plans, so I need to run.”
His lips turned down instantly. He obviously didn't like that idea. But at least he wasn't smiling at me anymore.
“Okay.” He lifted the container of cookies. “Thank you for the cookies.”
“Yup.” I turned and hightailed it to my car, freezing when he called my name and glancing back at him over my shoulder.
“Be careful.”
I swallowed. The double meaning behind his words sunk in deeply. I needed to be extra careful with the way my body responded to him. That was more dangerous than anything at the bar. I really liked this job, and the last thing I needed was to mess it up because I was crushing hard on my single-dad boss.
I nodded and climbed into my car before backing down the driveway.
But space didn't help when, an hour later, sitting around a high top table with my friends, I still couldn't stop thinking about Logan shirtless and smiling at me.
“Izzy.” Lyla snapped her fingers in front of my face. “What's going on with you?”
I shook my head and looked up. “Sorry, it's been a long day.”
“Did you work the nanny thing today?” she asked.
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“How's that going?” Nicole smirked. “Any other weirdness?”
Oh God. I did not want to go into any of this with this group. I'd never hear the end of it. Izzy crushing on her new boss would not surprise any of them. Nicole and Lyla would tease me relentlessly, while Mia would lecture me.
They all knew my track record. I pick the absolute worst guys to like. Every time. Usually because they were assholes. Not because they were my boss or one of my brother's teammates.
“I told you.” I narrowed my eyes slightly in Nicole's direction. “It's fine.” I turned back to Lyla. “How's the EMT classes going?”
“Nope. Spill the tea.” Mia raised her glass to her lips before shooting me a smirk.
Lyla bounced slightly on her stool. “Yeah, come on. It's not like you to hold out on us. And EMT classes are boring. I could use a little drama.”
I sighed. “There's no drama. Nicole just won't let something I said go.” I glared over at my friend and brought my glass of cider to my lips.
She shrugged. “I think you like him.”
I choked on the liquid I'd taken a sip of.
Lyla tilted her head, glancing between the two of us. “I feel like I'm lost. You like your new boss?”
Nicole giggled. “Remember her brother's teammate she complained about for weeks? The one who flirted with her at the wedding and then almost immediately gave her the cold shoulder?”
Lyla's eyes widened. “Yeah...”
Damn Nicole. I wanted to strangle her.
“He's the single dad she's nannying for.”
“Oh my God, no way.” Lyla smirked at me. “And didn't you say he's like really hot?”
I sighed. I could feel the disappointment in Mia's look without seeing it. “Yes. But he's my boss now and he's not interested in me anyway, so I'm trying not to go there.”
“Liar.” Nicole coughed as she said the single word.
“I'm never telling you anything ever again.” I should have called or texted my sister that day. Why did I think Nicole was the best option?
She laughed. “I've heard that one before.”
“What does she think you're lying about? I'm lost again.” Lyla pouted.
I rolled my eyes and huffed. “I told her I thought he was checking me out that first week I’d started nannying. But I was probably just reading into things.” I chuckled. “You know me.”
“But Nicole's right, you did tell us he was definitely flirting at the wedding,” Lyla reminded me.
I shrugged, trying and failing not to remember. Because of all things I was fairly sure of. The way he leaned forward to talk to me. The way his gaze heated when I said I wasn’t there with a date. And I surely didn't imagine his eyes drifting down to the cleavage of my dress.
I shifted uncomfortably on my stool. It had only been two months since that day, and it was still fresh in my mind. The way he made me feel. Like not a single other person was in that damn ballroom but me.
“Maybe he was.” I schooled my features and shrugged. This wasn't helping. “But that was a one-time thing.”
“Back up.” Mia narrowed her eyes. “So was he or was he not checking you out a couple weeks ago?”
“Ugh.” I crossed my arms. “I don't know. I thought so, but?—”
“I'm with Nicole.” Mia slapped the table and leaned back. “It's not like you to be unsure. You were convinced he flirted at the wedding, and spent the next few weeks after that determined to figure out why the one-eighty. So now you really like him and are trying to talk yourself out of it?”
“I hate you all.”
“Nah.” Nicole bumped my shoulder with hers. “You love us. So how about you start from the beginning and tell us everything? Let us actually help you figure it out.”
I looked around at their sincere expressions. “Guys,” I whined. “There's nothing to figure out. I can't like my new boss, and nothing can happen even if I do like him.”
They had to agree. I couldn't imagine they wouldn't, but they all stared at me like they were waiting for me to go on.
Mia would give it to me straight. “Right?” I directed at her across the table.
She shrugged. “I need all the details first. Dating your boss isn't ideal, but dancing around mutual attraction isn't either.”
I glanced around at their expressions laced with anticipation, and finally gave in, starting at the beginning—that first night when he came home. I barely took a breath as I poured out the details of the past two weeks, ending with my ridiculous reaction to him when I dropped off the girls and the cookies.
Lyla tapped both hands on the table excitedly. “He's totally into you.”
Nicole smirked. “I agree.” She tipped her head in my direction. “And she knows it too.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but Mia spoke first. I wished I had their confidence.
“But the question is, what's holding him back? Between the way he acted at the wedding and now, he’s very hot and cold. Do we want our friend to be with someone like that?”
“Well, maybe it's the same reason she has.” Lyla waved in my direction. “About her working for him now.”
Mia's brows pulled together suspiciously. “That doesn't account for his behavior at the wedding, or since then. Maybe he's not over his ex-wife.”
Before I could respond to that, Nicole was already shaking her head. “I don't think that's it. I've seen them together at the hospital. They seem friendly, but nothing that makes me think anything more. I saw Logan talking to the guy Maggie is dating. They were hitting it off.”
Mia's lips turned up into what could only be described as an evil smile. “Text him.”
“What?” The words immediately spilled out of my mouth. Was she crazy?
“Yeah. Tell him you've been drinking and need a ride. If he likes you, he won't ask a single question, and he'll come and get you.”
I loved Mia, but sometimes I thought something was seriously wrong with her. “I'm not lying to him.”
Mia waved me off. “Technically, it's not lying. You have been drinking.”
“No.” I shook my head. “I'm not doing that. He has the girls, so even if he wanted to, he couldn’t.”
“That’s a good point.” Nicole hummed. “But Mia might be onto something. Next time you have a problem, call him first. If he jumps at the chance to help you without question, you have your answer.”
“Or that means he's a good person,” I countered.
“Eh,” Lyla started. “I'm a good person, but even I'm asking questions if you call me for help.”
“You guys are ridiculous.” But I couldn't help but wonder what he would do if I called and needed help. “Alright, enough of my problems. Lyla, how are the EMT classes going?”
Luckily, they were all willing to finally change the subject. We got a round of shots and toasted Nicole, the birthday girl.
It was one more reminder that I was the baby of the group, only being brought in early this year when I started job sharing with Nicole. Mia was the oldest at twenty-eight, Lyla was a year younger than her, and Nicole was now twenty-five. Maybe that was why they took such an interest in the thing with Logan. They just wanted to make sure I was okay. It felt good, and it was nice that they treated me like a peer and not a little sister.
Our conversation about calling Logan for help aside, I was not one to believe in fate or anything, but as I drove home an hour later and found myself on the side of the road with a flat tire, I had to wonder. I’d only had one cider and one shot, so I was fine to drive. But now I was stuck on the side of a dark road late at night.
My brother had shown me once years ago how to change a tire, but I wasn't confident I remembered, nor did I want to try it in the dark. I picked up my phone and stared at the screen, debating who to call. Jay was the sensible option. I always called him for help.
But the girl's advice ran through my head like a broken record, and before I could chicken out, I dialed Logan's number.
I was about to hang up when his deep voice came through the line. “Izzy? You okay?”
This was dumb. Freaking stupid. How would I explain calling him? He would immediately ask if I had called my brother, and I totally wasn’t thinking about the girls. He wasn’t going to wake them up and put them in the car to come help me.
“Izzy?”
Shit. “Um. Yeah. Sorry. I...”
“What's wrong? Do you need a ride?” Shuffling noises came through the phone.
My heart took off at a sprint. Was he actually going to come with no questions asked?
“Izzy.” This time his voice held a hint of that growliness I’d gotten from him before.
“No. Not a ride. But do you know how to change a tire?”
He scoffed. “Yes, of course. You have a flat?” More rustling came through the line. “Where are you?”
A smirk lifted my lips, and excitement coursed through me. “Just left town, maybe a mile past The Dock.”
I held my breath as nerves bubbled up, waiting for his response.
“Okay.” He almost seemed distracted.
My body sagged with disappointment when he didn't add anything else. What did I expect? I should have known better than to listen to my friends. They gave the worst advice.
“Dylan's coming over to keep an ear out. I'll be there in a few. Hang tight.”
“Oo-okay,” I stumbled over the word. “You sure?”
“Yeah. Stay in the car until I get there. Okay?”
“Okay.” The call ended and I brought the phone to my chest as a smile lifted my lips. Part of me was afraid to hope this meant more than him just being a good person.
But right now, the excitement that bloomed in my chest was louder than the doubt.
LOGAN
I pulled my truck to a stop behind Izzy's car on the side of the road, grateful to see both her and her car intact. I almost had a heart attack seeing her name pop up on my phone at almost midnight. So many worst-case scenarios had raced through my mind.
She stepped out of her car as I approached, and I fought the groan that bubbled up. What the fuck was she wearing? Did the tight black skirt even cover her whole ass?
“Pop the trunk,” I gritted out.
Her brows shot up, and I cursed the way my words were clipped. She turned, bending slightly into the car, and the trunk opened. At least the skirt did in fact cover her ass. But just barely. The shirt, however, looked more like a bra—a strip of fabric across her back, and didn't cover any of her stomach.
I got to work getting the tools and spare out of the back, bringing them around to the driver’s side rear tire. I stared at her as she crossed her arms under her chest, pushing her tits up. The pieces of triangle-shaped fabric of her shirt stretched like they struggled to contain her breasts.
I clenched my jaw and squatted down in front of the flat tire. But my brain short-circuited, and I stared at the wheel in front of me as I struggled to remember what I needed to do.
“Are you mad?” she asked.
I wasn't mad. At least not at her. Myself maybe. “No.” I shook my head and used the wrench to start breaking the lug nuts.
“Okay...” She shifted on her heels.
I lost the battle not to look at her, my gaze trailing slowly from her black heels up her long legs. Lots of creamy skin that never seemed to end, until finally the black mini skirt came into view. If it wasn't so dark out, I was sure I'd get a glimpse of her panties from this angle. Wonder what color she was wearing? Were they lace? A thong maybe?
“You sure?”
I blinked and pulled my gaze away from her. “Yup.” I wasn't sure of anything at the moment, but I answered the question I knew she was asking.
I shoved the jack under the frame of the car and lifted it. Don't look up , I reminded myself as I sensed her lean back against the car with a huff. Grabbing the wrench, I continued removing the lug nuts.
“I'm sorry I made you come out,” she said, followed by a long sigh. “I probably should have called Jay.”
“No.” I whipped my gaze up to look at her and the wrench slipped from my hand before clattering to the ground. Dammit. “It's fine.” I leaned forward quickly to grab the wrench, and my head collided with the rim. Jesus fucking Christ. I took a calming breath. “I just... need to focus.”
“Okay, sorry. You seemed upset.”
“I'm not upset.” Although now my head hurt, and I felt like I was losing my mind.
I stole another glance up at her as she crossed her arms tighter across her chest with a huff.
“Okay. Whatever.”
I stood and crowded her space. The urge to kiss her, to push her up against the car and devour her mouth, was so fucking overwhelming it was torture. Strawberries invaded my senses as I breathed her in. All of it pulled me in deeper. Her jade-colored eyes were wide as she stared back at me. I took another step and braced my hands on either side of her on the car
“Izzy.” Her name was barely a whisper on my lips.
“Yes?” Her breath came faster.
Good. I liked that. I wanted so badly to watch her react to my touch, but I kept my hands planted against the car.
“I'm not mad.” I zeroed in on her mouth. “However, I'm struggling to focus on changing your tire.”
“Oh?”
I tracked the movement of her tongue as it ran along her bottom lip. “Do you know why?”
She shook her head. I didn't believe that. She had to know by now how badly she affected me. But if she needed to hear it, I could at least give her that.
“Because you look so fucking sexy tonight it's killing me.” I let my gaze roam down her body, taking my time drinking her in. “Your tits look like they're going to pop out at any minute, and this tiny-ass skirt is giving me so many dirty thoughts.”
I groaned before bringing my eyes back to her face. Her mouth hung open. Did that really surprise her? Or was she surprised I admitted it.
“And now I'm thinking about all the men who watched you tonight, who came over and offered to buy you a drink. So am I mad you called me? Fuck no. Because at least that means you didn't go home with any of them.”
Was I being possessive over a woman I was sure I wasn't allowed to have? Yes. At that moment did I give a fuck? Nope.
I stared at her lips, that damn gloss glistening, wanting to claim her mouth. Feel her writhe from my touch. But there was a long list of reasons why I couldn't.
I pushed off the car. “Now, would you mind waiting in the car while I change your tire?”
She frowned and crossed her arms over her chest again. Why did I find her pouting over the fact that I didn't kiss her so adorable? I was trying my best to maneuver through this minefield I'd created.
I reached out and ran my hands down her upper arms. “Please?”
She shivered from my touch and I fucking loved it. Loved that it was obvious I affected her just as much as she did me.
She nodded. “Fine.”
I stepped back and she climbed into the car while I got to work changing her tire. This time I had no issues getting the task completed. I put the tools and flat tire in the trunk, closed it, and when I tapped on her window, she opened her car door.
“All good. See you in the morning.” I turned and headed to my truck. If she got out and I stayed there any longer, I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands to myself this time.
“Wait.”
I turned back toward her. She stood outside her car now, arms folded, with a glare trained on me.
“Izzy. Go home, sweetheart.” I made my feet stay planted safely five feet away from her. “Before I make a decision neither of us can come back from.”
I climbed into my truck and breathed a sigh of relief when she got into her car and drove away. Tomorrow would be rough, that was for sure. But if I was honest, explained the reasons why nothing could happen between us, she would understand.
Wouldn't she?