Chapter 6 Logan
LOGAN
If Elizabeth Bailey could’ve skewered me with her fork instead of stabbing at her steak, she absolutely would have.
Apparently, I was on a fake date with her—practice for my upcoming “real” fake date with Sophie Hartwell—and I couldn’t resist getting under her skin.
It served her right for trying to tell me how to behave, like when she imparted this little nugget: “Try not to make the date about you. Ask questions. Be present. And maybe don’t lead with your platinum record count.”
I raised an eyebrow. “What if it comes up naturally?”
“It won’t.”
I cleared my throat and leaned in, mocking sincerity. Let’s see how she likes this for small talk: “Wow, Sophie…you’ve had so much plastic surgery, I literally don’t recognize you. It’s like you’re a whole new person.”
Elizabeth glared. I could practically feel the anger radiating off her. She flashed the world’s most insincere grin at me. “Ha, ha, ha. But seriously, I hope you don’t actually say that to Sophie.”
Did she think I had no filter? “Relax. I’m not going to bring up plastic surgery. I’m not completely unhinged.”
She rolled her eyes and took a slow, theatrical sip of her drink. “Great. Then how about you try this: tell me how amazing this place is and offer me a bite of your food.”
I looked down at my massive burger, already mostly devoured. “This bacon-cheddar masterpiece is the stuff of legends. You want a bite?”
She gave me a look like I’d just offered her my toothbrush. “Yeah, that’s gonna be a no.”
I lifted a lone broccolini spear from my plate, offering it to her as if it were some grand romantic gesture. “Here. One broccolini, just for you.”
Her lips stayed firm. “That’s better. But, no, thank you, not right now.”
I flashed a grin and waved the vegetable around like a plane. “Oh, come on… yum yum. Open the hangar, bring in the plane. Vroom, vroom.”
She met my eyes with a sharp look, but there was something amused hiding underneath. “Is that your standard dating technique? Because I’m starting to think you need a whole lot more help than I thought.”
I laughed in spite of myself. “My dating technique’s just fine.” I tipped my chin toward Elizabeth, shooting her a suggestive look.
Her breath hitched subtly, and her throat rose and fell. A flicker in her gaze, an almost imperceptible catch in her voice, and in that moment, I knew: the game was working exactly as I intended.
Before she could steady herself or deliver a killer comeback, the restaurant manager materialized, starstruck and wide-eyed. “Oh wow—Logan Richards. I saw you at Red Rocks last year. You were unreal.”
I nodded politely. “Thanks, man. That was a good crowd.”
The manager beamed at Elizabeth. “And are you a model or movie star or something?”
She leveled him with a calm smile. “No, this is a professional meeting—I’m far from a model or movie star.”
I leaned in, voice teasing, and caught the manager’s eye. “Far from, huh? I’d argue she’s prettier than any model or movie star I’ve ever worked with.”
I saw her pause mid-breath, just long enough to see the color bloom in her cheeks. My chest tightened. Sweet. I’d hit a nerve. I added softly, “Every time you blush like that, I want to hit rewind and watch it again.”
She glowered. I kept going, charm dialed up. “Seriously, I love to make you laugh.”
Her jaw clenched. “Like I said—this is a professional meeting.”
I tapped the menu to catch Elizabeth’s attention. “Actually…how about dessert? Maybe we could share that molten lava cake.”
Her gaze snapped to the nearby manager. “We won’t be sharing dessert. This is not a date. Do you understand?”
The manager nodded so vigorously his head might’ve fallen off. “Yes, ma’am.”
I gave her the ole puppy dog eyes. I was enjoying the way her cheeks flushed when she was flustered. “Oh, come on. Two spoons, one cake. I’ll even let you have the first bite, sweetheart.”
Elizabeth’s eyes ignited. She raised her voice, in case anyone was listening. “No. And we’re taking separate cars to separate residences when we leave. Is that clear? To everyone?”
The manager hovered, clearly regretting showing up tonight. “Crystal.”
I turned back to Elizabeth with one perfectly charming shrug. “At your decibel, I think it’s clear to everyone in the restaurant.”
She nodded curtly. “I’ll pay the check.” She pulled her card forward and added quietly, “It’s on the company.” The manager scurried off, relieved.
I watched him leave, then smirked and asked, “Was I charming enough?”
Elizabeth sighed. “Clearly, you know what to do on a date.”
I pivoted, offering what I thought would be the smoothest move. “May I escort you to your car? Open your door. Make sure you get home safely. I want to prove that I can be a good boy.”
Her lips tensed into a tight line. “No. Just don’t be late tomorrow.”
I clenched my teeth, swallowing the irritation. “Oh, right, I have to meet my girlfriend.”
As I drove away, frustration twisted in my chest. I would show up tomorrow, but I was more certain than ever that I needed to find an exit strategy. And fast.