Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Logan arrives later on Tuesday, informing me he will work throughout the afternoon.
Maybe it’s the fact that I imagined him while I touched myself.
Maybe it’s the fact that I conjured up his attraction to me in my head.
Or maybe the fact I feel like a creep for doing that, but my cheeks blush even harder than the last time.
After picking the kids up from school, I stay mostly inside, out of his way. A knife hits the chopping board with rhythmic thuds as I cut up the veggies for dinner when I hear Asher getting outside, a wooden sword in his hand.
“Please don’t bother Logan!” I call after him. It’s the least I can do. Give him some peace and quiet.
“Why can Liv bother him, then?”
“What do you mean?”
“She’s been talking to him for like an hour. I’m trying to save him.” He puts both hands on his hips, the sword swinging from his side.
My brows furrowing, I place my knife on the board and wipe my hands on a dishrag before following Ash outside.
My eyes widen as I notice Asher was right. Liv stands next to Logan, at his impromptu working station, each with their own set of safety glasses. He’s explaining something to her, and she listens with rapt attention.
I’m stunned still for a few seconds. When Logan finishes his speech, she gives him a determined nod before picking up a drill.
Fully focused, she presses the drill bit into a giant piece of wood and makes a hole in it.
As soon as she’s done, she raises the drill as high as she can; her face pulling into a wide smile.
My chest constricts, seeing her like this.
I clear my throat, approaching them. “What are you guys doing?”
“I wanted to use the drill, so Logan offered to teach me,” she squeals, beaming with excitement.
“Actually, I needed some help, and she offered it.” Logan shrugs and Liv’s grin gets even wider. My heart skips a beat.
David never fully accepted that Liv wasn’t interested in girlie stuff. She wanted to help with everything he was doing around the house, but he had no patience for it.
“Will you come help me with dinner?” I ask.
“Sorry, but I really need her help right now. She can come after we’re done,” Logan answers and my little girl bounces, literally bounces on her feet, nodding with enthusiasm.
“Ok, sure,” I respond. “But be careful, please. I want to see all ten of your fingers when you guys are done.”
Liv giggles, and Logan shoots me a warm smile. Somehow, I’m certain he will take care of her. Asher runs around the backyard with his sword, obviously in his own world, so I get back to the kitchen to finish dinner.
Not able to look away, I move the chopping board to the side of the kitchen island in direct view to the backyard.
They aren’t super close to me, but I can still see how Logan takes his time, making sure Liv knows exactly what she’s doing.
In return, she’s getting a sense of accomplishment.
The experience of learning something new and making something yourself.
My eyes glued to them; I barely escape slicing my flinger. “Shit,” I mumble under my breath. Guess I should focus.
I finish dinner while Liv still works with Logan.
I wanted to tell her to give him some space a few times, but they fell into a comfortable rhythm, like they’ve been working side by side for years.
She hands him the tools, assists him when needed and he lets her try out all the power tools. Under his surveillance, of course.
My oven timer dings, and I grab my mitts to take dinner out. Immediately, I’m engulfed by the scent of the roasted chicken and veggies, with rosemary from our backyard. I place the pan onto the stove, so it can cool down a bit, and walk outside to get the kids.
“Dinner’s ready! Go wash up and I’ll see you at the table in five.”
Liv and Logan are just tidying up, putting everything away. She places the measuring tape and the level into Logan’s toolbox before going inside.
“Thanks for that. Again. If construction doesn’t work out, you could make a killing in babysitting,” I joke, making him chuckle.
“Funny. I’m not that great with kids, typically.” His t-shirt is tight around his chest, a few damp spots evidence of how hard he works. Saliva pools in my mouth, but I swallow it down.
“Really? You’re a natural with Ash and Liv.”
“Well, they’re pretty great.” His lips turn up.
Pride blooms in my chest. “Erm, do you want some dinner? I made chicken and veggies.”
It would be impolite not to offer him dinner when he knows I just made it, right?
“I’m kind of dirty.” He points to himself.
“Yeah, you are,” I blurt out, my voice breathy. “I mean, it’s ok. We won’t mind, unless it’s uncomfortable for you.” My cheeks are burning up.
“I don’t mind getting a little dirty.” He winks, his tongue wetting his lips playfully. My brain short-circuits, so he continues. “Thanks for the invitation. I’ll go clean up the best I can. ”
He leaves and I’m still unable to move, trying to calm my breath. Our flirty banter has always been fun, but after the incident the other day, it’s getting harder to see it as playful, rather than … well, foreplay.
Those are crazy thoughts, Sadie .
Releasing a sharp breath, I head inside.
“Is Logan going to eat with us?” Asher asks.
“Yeah. Should I let him go hungry?” I press my finger to my chin, as if contemplating.
“Nooo! I can give him my veggies,” he quips.
“Good thinking, Ash. Unfortunately, I wasn’t born yesterday, so tricks like that don’t work on me.” I pat his head.
He groans before sitting down at the table. Logan approaches, a gray flannel now covering his tank top.
“Where should I sit?” he asks.
“Here! You can sit next to me!” Asher’s eyes are wide and expecting.
“Sure.” Logan responds while Liv rolls her eyes, sitting across from Asher.
I serve food to everyone, making sure Asher gets his part of the veggies. He fills his mouth and decides it’s a good time to start a conversation with Logan.
“Do you have any kids?”
“No.” Logan smiles. “I don’t.”
“Asher, please do not speak with your mouth full.” I shoot him a threatening look.
He makes a point of chewing and swallowing his food. “How come?”
“Well…” Logan starts, but I interrupt him.
“Logan still has plenty of time to have kids, Asher.”
He chuckles. “What I wanted to say is I haven’t found the right person, I guess.” He glances at me, his dark eyes sparkling.
“Neither did Mom, but she still had us. Right, Mom?” Liv adds.
My cheeks flush with embarrassment and I’m glad I poured myself a glass of wine. I down a long sip before responding. “Well, sometimes you think you found the right person, but it doesn’t work out. Topic for another day.” My eyes are apologetic, but Logan just smirks in return.
The kids finish eating first so I send them upstairs to take a shower.
“This was delicious. Thank you for having me,” Logan says, tapping a napkin to his mouth.
“It’s the least I can do.” I smile.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re doing all this work for us, outside your regular schedule … outside your regular job.”
“I’m just doing my job. I wouldn’t have taken this project on if I haven’t thought I’d be able to handle it.” His voice is calm but serious, confidence oozing out of it.
I swallow a sip of my wine, nodding with uncertainty.
“I know you think I’m a baby, but I’m pretty good at what I do.” He’s teasing me now, his mouth hooked.
“I don’t think you’re a baby,” I interject. “You’re right. You wouldn’t be where you are if you weren’t capable.”
He’s the one to nod now.
Asher breaks the moment by screaming, “Moooom! I need your help!” from the top of the stairs.
“Coming!” I yell right back.
“Guess it’s my cue,” Logan grins.
“I’ll walk you out.”
Just as he reaches the front door, Logan turns to me. “Would you mind if I worked afternoons until the end of the week? I need to check on the other sites in the morning.”
I wince internally, once again sorry to make him do this on such short notice. But after the talk he gave me, I don’t mention anything. “Yeah, sure. No problem.”
“Great. See you tomorrow.” He flashes his perfectly white teeth and leaves our house.