The Billionaire's Practice Kiss - Tamie Dearen Page 0,10

voice displaying empathy rather than anger. “You care about Allegra’s opinion. And I don’t believe you’re going to fool anyone.”

The liquid in his stomach turned to stone. “I’m trying not to care.”

“Are you still in love with her?” she asked.

“I guess so.”

But would winning Allegra back really solve anything? Somehow Logan wanted to gain back the dignity they’d lost. He’d already bought his mother a house twice as expensive as the one his stepfather lived in with his new family, and a diamond necklace worth a fortune. But it hadn’t brought him the relief he’d sought.

Maybe nothing ever would.

Chapter 5

It only took a few minutes for Ellery to decide she loved Logan’s mom. Her eyes hadn’t lingered on Ellery’s scar for even a fraction of a second. Had Logan given her advanced warning? Probably not. He’d been way too nervous standing on the porch, waiting for the door to open, shuffling his feet and fidgeting like a cat in a roomful of rocking chairs.

“Mom is kind of pushy,” he’d said for the umpteenth time, “and equally nosey. You don’t have to answer her questions. And do me a big favor.”

“What’s that?”

“Please don’t let her show you my yearbook. She’s proud because I was valedictorian, but I hate what I looked like in high school.”

His mother, Nancy, flung the door open and hugged Logan as if she hadn’t seen him in six months. Considering what a recluse he seemed to be, that might’ve been the case. Nancy’s arms captured Ellery next, squeezing the air out of her lungs.

Soon Ellery found herself sitting beside Logan on a buttery-soft leather sofa, a glass of iced tea in her hand and a large serving of strawberry shortcake on a plate in her lap. Something inane blared on the large television screen, but Nancy—sitting in a chair facing them—gave her full attention to Logan and Ellery.

“Tell me how the two of you met.” Nancy tucked her hands together under her chin, her face alight with anticipation.

“We haven’t known each other long,” Logan said between mouthfuls of strawberry shortcake, which he wolfed down as if he hadn’t eaten dinner. In fact, they hadn’t eaten, but Ellery hadn’t been a bit hungry during the drive. Now she forked a bite of the delicious concoction into her mouth and moaned her appreciation. Logan grinned as he continued the explanation. “She met me through one of my apps.”

“Oh! The dating app?” Nancy hit the mute button on the television remote.

A dating application? How many apps had Logan created? No wonder he was so wealthy. How could anyone so smart and talented be so insecure about himself? Ellery wondered if his mother was the driving force behind it.

“Not the dating app. One of the others.” He skillfully skirted her question. “How’s the search for a new youth minister going?”

Nancy, who was evidently on a church committee in charge of finding a new minister for the youth at her church, prattled happily on about reading through dozens of resumes. The committee was particularly excited about two of the candidates.

Logan nodded, throwing a wink Ellery’s direction, and she marveled at how he’d controlled the situation. This was nothing like the stiff, uncomfortable man she’d met earlier that day.

He and his mother chatted affectionately, but neither one ever mentioned his dad. Most likely, Nancy was divorced or widowed. Ellery didn’t plan to ask.

Without any warning, Nancy asked the bombshell question Ellery had been dreading. “Where do your parents live, Ellery?”

Ellery attempted to keep a nonchalant expression while her throat threatened to close off. “My parents died in a car accident a few years ago.” She felt Logan’s eyes boring into the side of her face…the side with the scar. He was too smart not to put two and two together. He had to have figured it was the same car accident that had caused her injuries.

“I’m so sorry.” Nancy’s face crumpled. “My first husband died in a car accident right before Logan was born. It’s been thirty-one years, and it still hurts.”

Ellery squeezed her fists, fingernails digging into her palms. “My friends have been great.”

“Do you have other family?” Nancy’s eyes shone with unshed tears.

“No. My brother died in the crash, too. We didn’t have any extended family.”

These were the times when Ellery missed her twin brother most. Always quick with a joke, he would’ve found some way to lighten the conversation. Instead, the air was thick with dark tension. Not for the first time, she wished she’d died with the rest of