My Best Friend's Boyfriend

My boss and Ralph continued to talk, spouting off theories as to the real reason why this company was suing us after being happy for years with the monthly advertising we helped them with. And yet again, I couldn’t concentrate because of Logan.

“Well, we’ll be meeting again soon. My colleagues and I will dig into this and figure out what the most plausible theory is to defend,” Ralph said.

“Let’s go with what’s actually going on. I don’t want to pummel them in court if we’re pummeling them with a lie,” my boss said.

“Understood. We’ll gather all we can, and once we whittle down the theories and have a little more evidence underneath our belts, we’ll sit down again,” Ralph said.

Everyone shook hands, and when it came time for me to shake Logan’s, he kept me in place. He gripped my hand a little tighter and led me off to a corner, his eyes heatedly connected with mine.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were on retainer for my company?” I asked.

“I didn’t know until earlier in the week that it was your company’s case that had dropped into my lap. And as a lawyer, I can’t discuss that type of information with you,” he said.

“Makes sense, though you could have given me a little bit of a heads up.”

“Yeah. I guess I could have.”

We continued shaking hands before he cleared his throat and dropped my hand like it was a hot potato.

“It’s strange how we keep running into one another like this,” Logan said.

“And get tossed into the most insane scenarios with one another,” I said, giggling.

“Do you think it’s for a reason?”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing. Just a weird thought,” he said.

I drew in a deep breath and nodded as the room slowly cleared itself behind us.

“Listen, I don’t know what you’re doing tomorrow night, but if you’re not doing anything, I’d love to have you over for dinner,” Logan said.

“Dinner.”

“Mhm.”

“At your place,” I said.

“Yep. A home-cooked meal and everything.”

“Are we going to be talking shop or something while we’re there?” I asked.

“Not at all,” he said, grinning.

I needed to decline. I needed to resist. I needed to push him away and tell him this was wrong, that lines had been drawn in the sand and he was off-limits to me, and me to him. But as I gazed into his steel gaze and saw that beautiful smile across his lips, the only thing I could think about was spending a night in with him. A night in eating wonderful food and falling back into his arms.

The thought alone forced me to downplay the shiver creeping up my spine.

“I’d like that,” I said.

“Wonderful. Do you know where I live? Or do I need to shoot you my address?”

“You might want to text it to me just in case.”

“I can do that. I’ll get it to you tonight,” he said.

“Should I bring anything? A drink? Some wine? Maybe dessert?”

“The only thing you need to do is wear something that makes you feel comfortable and beautiful. I’ll take care of the rest, Ava.”

My heart melted into a puddle at my feet.

“What time should I be there?” I asked.

“How about seven?”

“Sounds perfect.”

“Okay. I’ll see you then.”

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear before he scooted past me, and it left me stunned. Just that small little gesture had my stomach flipping. I whipped around and watched him walk out of the room with a swagger and confidence that made my mouth go dry.

I felt myself falling into his trap, and I didn’t want to stop the descent.

Logan

A knock came at my door, and I grinned. She was right on time. I gave the sauce one last stir, then wiped my hands off, rolled up my sleeves, and went to answer the door. I had cooked shrimp alfredo and prepared a salad and homemade garlic bread. My stomach rumbled with hunger as the smell of white wine permeated the air of my home. I drew in a deep breath and readied myself for our encounter. Then I opened my door and took stock of the woman standing on my porch.

Ava looked stunning.

“Oh my gosh, it smells wonderful in there,” she said.

My mouth instantly ran dry at the sight of her. She had on a black dress that suited her body perfectly. It clung to her breasts and fell off her shoulders, then fluttered around her legs. With every move she made, it sashayed against her bare legs. Her heels clicked along the cherry mahogany hardwood floors of my condominium apartment, and it took all I had to rip my eyes away from her body long enough to close the door.

“You look spectacular, Ava.”

“You said to wear something that made me feel comfortable and beautiful. So, here it is,” she said.

“You wear it beautifully.”

She smiled at me, and my heart skipped a beat. I held out my hand and ushered her into my kitchen before I pulled out her chair for her. She sat down, and I scooted her underneath the table. Then I made sure to pour her a nice glass of wine. I walked back over to the stove and grabbed everything, setting the table with the bread, the noodles, and the salad. I settled everything between us before I sat down myself and found Ava’s eyes bulging in shock.