of his beard as he fought a smile.
We were following the hostess to be seated when we heard a squeal as we passed the bar. Turning, the bartender Logan had mentioned was waving us over. We let the young lady show us our table and then made our way back to the bar. “Come to the pass-through,” Bobby said.
“I thought he worked with you,” I said to Logan.
Logan chuckled. “He does, but he works at a few other places, too. He says he needs the variety.”
We waited for Bobby to finish making a drink, watching as he chatted with the patrons in front of him while he worked. When he was done, he launched himself at Logan, who picked him up until just the toes of his feet touched the floor. When he set him back down, Bobby waggled his eyebrows at me. “I heard rumors that Logan finally had a man. I wondered if it was you.”
“Why?” Logan asked, sounding completely baffled.
I turned to him, shaking my head as if disappointed. “Uh, probably because I couldn’t take my eyes off of your big sexy body that whole night.”
Bobby clapped his hands like a delighted child, squealing again. “He sure didn’t.” Logan’s face colored brighter, which evoked an, “Aw,” from Bobby before he directed his attention on me. “Are you being good to him?” he asked seriously.
“I’m doing my best.”
He turned his penetrating gaze on Logan. “And how’s he doing with that?”
“Amazing,” he said, answering Bobby while smiling softly at me.
Then I had an armful of Bobby, the man who was practically a stranger to me, and he whispered in my ear, “Be good to him. They don’t make them like that anymore.”
I had to agree.
We were halfway to Logan’s parents’ when his mom sent a text asking if we wanted Jakey to just spend the night. “What do you think?” he asked, hesitantly.
“I think we take one step at a time. For now, we should go pick up your boy so that I can snuggle my two loves.” I hadn’t meant to say it so soon, and he deserved a more romantic declaration, but I couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Logan’s breath came out in a rush. “You love me?”
Laying my hand on his thigh, I said, “So much.”
“I love you, too,” he said, placing one hand over mine and entwining our fingers.
“I know,” I said cockily.
Logan's deep laugh rumbled through the vehicle. “I think you’ve lulled me into a false sense of security. I’ve seen how you are with your brother. You’re going to keep me on my toes, aren’t you?”
Leaning my head on his shoulder, I said, “I am, but I’m also going to protect you and pamper you and love you so hard.”
Logan turned on his blinker and pulled off to the shoulder of the road. “Same.” Then we shared a sweet kiss before finishing our drive.
“Thank you,” I said as we got out of the car and walked up his parents’ walkway.
“For what?”
“For finally trusting me.”
Logan stopped and faced me. “What are you talking about? I’ve always trusted you or I wouldn't have had you around Jakey.”
I moved in close, holding his hips. “That’s partially true, but this is the first time you took me at my word and didn’t worry that you having that wonderful boy would run me off.”
Logan sputtered out a noise that sounded halfway between a gasp and a laugh. “You’re kidding, right? He’s got you more wrapped around his finger than I do. The only fear I’ll ever have is that you’ll stay with me for him.”
Before I could chide him, the front door opened, and there stood a beaming Jakey. “Getting him tonight was the right call,” Logan whispered as we strode the rest of the way to the door, where he scooped Jakey up into his big arms.
Jakey cuddled in, then kept one arm around his uncle’s neck and reached for me. I pushed in close to Logan’s side, and the little boy wrapped his other arm as far around my shoulders as he could reach. “Kuncle Wogan, Keed, home,” he chirped excitedly.
I wouldn’t have been shocked if fireworks had gone off in the background. My life the last couple of months felt like an over-the-top, happily-ever-after, chick flick. I’d been waiting a long time to fall in love and find my person. I’d dated like a maniac and been disappointed countless times. But I’d never been so thankful for all of those perceived failures because tonight would forevermore