Dakota glanced over to see Logan awake and sitting up.
“Hi.”
He got up and went to sit by her side.
“How’d you sleep?”
“Great. Looks like we both needed to recharge.”
“True. Are you hungry?”
“Kind of.”
He got up and went into the kitchen. He opened a drawer and took out a handful of menus. “I don’t have much in the house, but we’ve got loads of choices for dinner. What’s your pleasure? Indian, Thai, Greek, Southern or barbecue?”
“Okay, you’re making me really hungry.” She laughed. “How about a pizza?”
“You were trying to trip me up, weren’t you?” Logan held up another menu triumphantly. “But I’ve got you covered.”
He came back and handed it to her. “Lady’s choice.”
She scanned the menu. “The white pizza with chicken, and an order of the cheese breadsticks, please.”
Logan looked surprised.
“What? You didn’t think my obsession with white pizza would just go away, did you?”
“No, of course not. I’m actually happy to know that you still like it. Me, too.”
He went to get his phone and place their order. When he returned, he was carrying a glass of wine and a beer. Logan offered the wine to her and sat back down.
“You didn’t mention wine earlier in my list of beverage choices.”
“I’d forgotten about it. It was in the wine room.”
“What?” She glanced around. “You have a wine room?”
“Well, actually it’s more like a wine pantry. It’s not well stocked. I believe there are two bottles in there. Correction.” He grinned. “One bottle.”
They caught each other up on lighter times in their lives while waiting for the pizza to arrive. Dakota admitted that a few of her favorite things were the thirty-seven pairs of heels in her closet, watching WWE Divas on television and baking designer cupcakes. Logan confessed he was a diehard fan of racing, and it did not matter what. Cars, horses, ATV’s, motorcycles, boats.
“Ah, a speed demon, huh?”
“I’ll admit I have a certain affinity for going very, very fast.”
“You don’t bet on all of those, do you?”
“No. Maybe an occasional football or basketball game, but that’s it.”
“Okay, what other guilty pleasures are you hiding?”
“Donut holes, and playing Call of Duty.”
She smirked. “The donuts I get, but since when have you liked video games?”
“I’m a man. Since when don’t we like video games?”
His home phone rang. When he hung up, he said, “The pizza guy is on the way up.”
Dakota got up and went into the kitchen. She looked around for plates and napkins while Logan paid the delivery man. When he returned, Dakota had set up everything at the dining room table.
“Thank goodness you had granulated garlic powder, or I would’ve had to send you out to get some.”
“That’s right, you’re a garlicaholic.” He set the pizza between them. “Do you still put it on everything?”
“Almost everything.”
They compared best jobs, worst bosses and last ones before going into business for themselves. Dakota told Logan about the Rothschild sheets conundrum.
“It shouldn’t be too hard to find him. Do you want me to see what I can dig up?”
“And ruin Susan’s fun? She thinks she’s an operative on a covert assignment.”
“Okay, but keep me posted.”
When they were done eating, Dakota insisted on cleaning up, but Logan refused.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it later.”
She stood up. “I should be going. Thank you, Logan, for today. I’m glad I came here, and that we cleared the air.”
“I’m glad, too.” He hugged her tight. “Call me anytime, day or night, if you need to talk.”
“I will.”
“I mean it. I’m here for you, Koty.”
Dakota nodded. “I never thought you would be again—but thanks.”
He watched her walk down the hall and out of view before closing the door.
* * *
After tidying the kitchen and putting away the leftover food, Logan returned to the living room and flipped on the television. He put his feet up on the coffee table and tried to clear the rampant thoughts swirling around in his head. He was still reeling from Dakota’s revelations, and being able to open up with her a little to share some of their personal stories. It spoke volumes about their progress.
He was still sitting there when Dakota texted him an hour later.
I’m home. Safe and sound.
Good, I’m glad. Sleep well.