Logan (Carolina Reapers 4)

“Doesn’t it sound better to stay in? Let’s cancel,” she cajoled.

“Okay, let me call her. She might be disappointed since she flew all this way, but once she knows it’s because I’ve got you in my bed, I’m sure she’ll understand. They both will.” I smiled wide as she tensed beneath me. I’d do no such thing, of course. Fuck, I’d never live it down.

“Her? They?” She pulled back with a furrowed brow. “Who are we supposed to have lunch with?”

“My mom and my sister.”

Her jaw dropped, and she scrambled out of bed faster than I’d ever seen her move.

“So that’s a no to staying in bed?” I called after her as she shut the bathroom door.

“I’m going to kill you, Logan Ward!”

I grinned like a fool until I realized she could very well mean that by the end of the day.

An hour later, we walked into one of the family-owned restaurants in Sweet Water, the little town Reaper Village was located in. I’d chosen it for a variety of reasons.

First, the locals in Sweet Water had grown used to having the Reapers around. We weren’t new or exciting to them, and they generally left us alone. There were no paps out here, or cell phones waiting to take a viral video.

Second, the quiet location would be way better for Kaitlynn. She got overwhelmed in loud, noisy environments. Introducing her to Delaney at my house—who had been a frequent house guest—might put Kaitlynn on the defensive, and that was the last thing I wanted, so here we were—neutral territory.

Third, I just really liked the food.

“Mr. Ward!” Jenny Gibbons greeted us with a smile as we walked in the front door. “Your guests are already here.”

“Thanks, Jenny.” I put my hand on the small of Delaney’s back as we walked through the restaurant.

“I can’t believe you did this. I would have worn something different,” Delaney hissed.

Something different? She wore a pencil skirt with a boatneck blouse that clung to her curves but left her shoulders bare. Sexy. Classy. Gorgeous.

“You would have tried on fourteen different outfits and then stressed yourself out until you were sick if you’d known this was happening,” I said softly. “You look absolutely, stunningly gorgeous. Stop.”

“Don’t think your sweet talk is going to save you later,” she snapped back, but there was a smile on her face.

“You may punish me as you see fit,” I promised as we turned the corner. “Mom!”

I stepped away from Delaney as Mom engulfed me in a hug. Another body hit me from the left, and I instinctively raised my arm, wrapping it around Kaitlynn before I even looked to see if it was her.

“How are you?”

“You look so good!”

“How was the flight?”

“I got the window!”

“God, it’s good to see you!”

We talked over each other as if it had been years since we’d seen one another instead of months. Then we all laughed as we pulled apart.

“Mom, Kaitlynn, I’d like to introduce you to my girlfriend, Delaney.” I held out my hand and took Delaney’s, pulling her gently toward us.

“Mrs. Ward. Kaitlynn. It’s so nice to meet you. Logan has told me so much about you both.” She trembled slightly, but I wrapped my arm around her, tucking her against my side.

“Call me Sally,” Mom said with a grin as the two shook hands. “We’re delighted to meet you, Delaney.”

“Call me Kaitlynn,” Kate said with an appraising stare.

I arched an eyebrow at my sister as we all sat at the back table, and I put myself between them. Kate could be way overprotective, and I desperately wanted her to like Delaney.

There were the general, awkward intro questions as we ordered lunch.

Then our menus were gone, and we were left staring at each other, both Mom and I gaging the temperature of Kaitlynn’s mood.

“I really wish you would have stayed at my house,” I told Mom as I took Delaney’s hand under the table.

“And I really wish you would understand how much I love that hotel. Is your house ridiculously opulent? Yes. But do you have a steam room and a masseuse on call? Nope.” She grinned as Kaitlynn nodded.

“And they have a pedi place. My toenails are bright green now.” She grinned.

“I’m glad you’re having fun,” I told her. “Want to come see a game while you’re here?” I asked

There. The truth had its opening. If it came out, then it came out. Maybe that was the chicken shit way of doing it, but to be honest, I was terrified.

“Of course!” Kaitlyn clapped her hands. “I brought my jersey and everything!”

“I would have gotten you another one,” I chided with a smile. God, I’d missed her. I’d missed them both. There was just something about being with the people who accepted you for who you were.

“I like mine!” Kate rebuffed.

My stomach was in fucking knots. Could I have avoided this? Yes. I could have hidden Delaney from Mom and Kate, but I didn’t want to. I needed them to know her. Could I have told Delaney about me before this? Also yes...I just didn’t have a good excuse other than my fear for that one.