I knew Logan understood, but he didn’t seem any happier about it. Maia was worrying her lower lip with her teeth, gazing up at Aidan as if he were about to take everything away. One of the reasons I loved Aidan was because he was a pretty perceptive guy. He smiled disarmingly at Maia, and she blushed to her roots. “I just wanted to check in and make sure Grace was okay.” His gaze drifted back to Logan.
Logan’s shoulders seemed to relax somewhat. “I understand. I meant no offense.”
Aidan grinned good-naturedly. “I wasn’t offended.”
“Did you guys have a nice lunch?” I said, deliberately changing the subject before I was stifled by the testosterone in the air. “Did you get your cheeseburger?”
Maia nodded. “And then we went to the National Museum on Chambers Street because I’ve never been before.”
I raised an eyebrow at Logan. “Good food and a trip to the museum. Who are you trying to impress?”
His lip quirked up at the left corner at my teasing. “Maybe I like culture and was just trying to impart some.”
“Yes, you’re full of surprises,” I said sardonically.
“You have no idea.” He flashed me a full-on wicked smile that hit me straight in the gut and I blinked, stupefied for a moment. “Maia, why don’t we head next door and let Grace visit with her friend.”
“Guys, please stay,” Aidan encouraged. “I’ll be leaving soon anyway.”
Maia was the first one to make a move toward the counter. I noted her eye the mini savory snacks we hadn’t gotten around to eating. “Help yourself, sweetheart.”
“Don’t mind if we do.” Logan brushed past me and began searching cupboards for plates. He pulled out a couple and pushed one toward Maia. They both began loading snacks onto them.
I chuckled. “Was that cheeseburger not very filling?”
Logan threw me a look out of the corner of his eyes that simply said, “I’m a man.”
Maia giggled and bit into a sausage roll. I caught her eye and she shrugged. “I’m just really hungry.”
“That’s because you’re my —” Logan cut off abruptly, suddenly looking very uncomfortable.
We were silent, all knowing he was about to say “daughter.”
“Hey, stop hogging the food,” Aidan said loudly, breaking the awkward silence. “I’ve just come from training, you know. I’m starving.”
Logan jumped on Aidan’s offer of a save and started asking questions about rugby. Aidan even managed to get Maia asking him questions.
When Aidan was leaving a little while later, I threw my arms around him and hugged him tight. He’d reminded me today why I adored him. “I love you to bits.” I squeezed him.
“Love you, too, Grace,” he said gruffly, squeezing me back. Reluctantly, I let him go, and he slipped quietly out of the flat.
“He an ex?”
I spun around, startled by Logan’s appearance in the hallway.
I shook my head, because technically he wasn’t really. One time didn’t count. “No. Aidan’s like family. And he’s engaged to a woman he’s madly in love with.”
Logan processed this and then shrugged. “Nice guy. Glad to know there’s someone looking out for you.”
“Thank you,” I said, surprised by his comment.
He cleared his throat. “Aye, anyway… I wanted your opinion on something.”
“Shoot?”
“Shannon wants to meet Maia tonight, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea yet.”
I loved that he was so concerned for her feelings. I walked toward him and patted his arm reassuringly. “Trust your instincts, Logan.”