She lifted her wineglass for a toast, and they all followed suit. Logan could tell Seth’s smile was fake, although he wasn’t sure how he knew. Probably because Seth’s family were shit-bricks, and it must suck even more at Christmas.
Angela said, “Here’s to Seth and Logan and your lovely little family. I can’t wait to meet Connor this weekend.” After she drank, she added, “And Logan, a little birdie tells me you baked your momma’s famous chocolate cake for dessert?”
“Oh, yeah. I hope it doesn’t suck.” He gulped too much of the red wine, which was a little sweet and went down easy. “I mean, if my mom had made it, it definitely wouldn’t suck. But I followed the recipe exactly.”
He wondered what she would have made of all this with him pretending to be Seth’s boyfriend. The only image that came to mind was her lopsided grin and the devilish spark in her blue eyes. She would have played along really well.
“It’s going to be delicious,” Seth said. “I may or may not have tasted a tiny little bit of the frosting. Mmm.” He gave Logan a wink, and then seemed shocked by himself, his cheeks going red.
It was adorable, and Logan grinned.
“So, what do you do on the railway?” Angela asked him.
The warm, cozy feeling exploded like a grenade. Logan squeezed his fork, the reminder that he was a total failure slamming him back down to earth. He should have just lied again, but for some fucked-up reason, he found himself saying, “Actually, I had a bad accident last year. I can’t do that work anymore. I’m looking for something else, but…” But I’m a useless sack of shit.
She gasped, and Dale made sympathetic noises. Angela said, “I’m so sorry to hear that, sugar! Are you all healed up now?”
He didn’t feel like he’d ever be, but Logan said, “Mostly.”
“Logan’s a veteran as well,” Seth said. “He served a tour as a Marine. I really think more should be done to support vets in finding employment.”
“Thank you for your service,” Angela said to Logan very seriously. “And I could not agree more, Seth. Dale, make a note to look into job opportunities for Logan.”
Oh, fuck no. “I don’t want charity!” He shifted on Seth’s new wooden chair, barely stopping himself from shoving back from the table. “I can do honest work for honest pay.” His face felt hot, and he wasn’t going to be able to breathe in a second.
But Angela didn’t seem bothered by his outburst. “I assure you it wouldn’t be charity. I expect damn hard work from every one of my employees. Or from anyone I recommend to business partners. I’m making connections in Albany, and you never know what jobs might come up. This is how it works. Nothing wrong with getting a foot in the door. Then it’s up to you to walk through it and not get tossed out on your butt. I make no bones about inheriting my company from my daddy on a silver platter. But I’ve worked my tail off to expand it and make it even more of a success. I will continue to work hard. It ain’t charity.”
Logan realized he was gripping the edge of the table, and he exhaled, sitting back and dropping his hands. “I… I see what you’re saying. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” She gave him a kind smile. “And don’t be a dumbass with too much pride either.”
Logan had to laugh. “That’s good advice.”
Seth laughed too. “Words to live by.” He added, “Logan’s quite handy and has experience as a contractor. He built that wine rack into the kitchen island.”
“I was admiring that!” Angela exclaimed, and it didn’t seem like bullshit.
“He finished the kitchen as well and helped with all the decorating,” Seth said, and Logan supposed it was true.
“What a beautiful home you boys have built together.” Angela lifted her glass again. “Here’s to your first Christmas here as a family, and many happy and healthy years to come.”
Logan drank, not meeting Seth’s eyes. Wishing—just for a crazy minute—that it could all be true.
Chapter Thirteen
“Well.” Seth closed the front door and leaned against it. “We did it.”
They’d stood shivering in the doorway waving as Angela’s driver had backed down the long drive and out onto the snowy street. Logan rubbed his hands, enjoying the warmth and the relief. He loosened his tie and pulled it off over his head.
Seth laughed softly. “Been dying to do that, huh?”
“Yep.”
“Thank you. I know it couldn’t have been easy tonight. And that cake really was delicious. I just might have another piece to celebrate our success.” He pushed off the door, and Logan followed into the kitchen, pleased that Seth liked the cake so much. With a smile, he watched Seth pour a glass of milk and then lift the carton in question.