“The only downside is that it’s a million miles away from my apartment.”
Logan puts his arm around my shoulders as we walk to his car. The gesture isn’t sexual at all, but it still makes my heart race. No, his caress speaks of safety, caring, and familiarity. Without thinking, I cuddle closer to him. Glancing up, I let out a slight sound of surprise. The sky is clearer than I’ve seen it since I arrived, and it’s the first time I can appreciate the multitude of stars sprinkled above me. They resemble tiny diamonds.
“Actually,” Logan says, opening the door of his car for me. Once I’m inside, he continues. “The location is the best part. It’s two blocks away from where I live. I foresee endless opportunities to convince you to stay overnight.”
With that, he closes the door. Wiping my palms on my jeans, I try to calm my heart. It beats even faster than before. What does Logan have in store for us?
When he climbs in the driver’s seat, I immediately try to
fill the silence. “I don’t know why I’m surprised you live downtown.”
“Yeah. Sebastian lives in a quieter neighborhood. I’m all for the hustle and bustle.”
“So, where are we going?”
“Dancing. Thought you should see my wild dancing skills, since you thought I could only go slow. I can do slow, and I can do wild.” He guns the engine. “It’s mind-blowing either way.”
“Are we still talking about dancing?”
“I am.” Glancing sideways at me, he adds with a smirk, “Are you talking about something else?”
“No, not at all.” Heat creeps into my cheeks, but I’m counting on the darkness to hide it. “I feel guilty for not working tonight, but I’m happy we’re going out. You’re the first person I called.”
“I’m glad to hear that, Nadine.”
***
Midway through the drive, Logan’s phone rings.
“Pippa,” he mutters, putting it on loudspeaker. “Hi, Pippa,” Logan answers.
“You told me to call you if I need anything. You seemed to mean anything, but can I still hold you to it?” Pippa speaks in a low voice, and there is commotion in the background.
Logan’s grip the wheel tighter. “Of course.”
“Good. Can you pick me up from my date? I’m at Ember. It’s on—”
“I know the restaurant.”
“How fast can you be here?”
“Twenty minutes, tops.”
The call ends.
“What was that?” My head spins as I try to make sense of it.
“My sister wants a rain check from her date.”
“Wow, you have a code or something?”
“No, but I told her to call me if she needed anything.”
Logan sports a killer expression afterward, so I don’t ask for more details. We arrive in front of the restaurant exactly twenty minutes later, and he texts Pippa to let her know we’re here. Ember is similar to the high-end restaurant across the street from my shop, except larger. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, I have a perfect view inside. Elegant black and white furniture fills the interior, the only patches of color coming from the guests’ clothes. Pippa walks out the front door before I finish inspecting the restaurant. Wearing sky-high black stilettos and a fitted red dress showing off her gorgeous curves, Pippa is by far the best-dressed person around. She looks like a woman on a mission. And right now, her mission seems to be fleeing the scene, though I believe she had an entirely different goal in mind when she dressed up for the night.
“Drive,” she instructs after she sits in the backseat.
“Your apartment?” Logan asks Pippa, hitting the gas pedal.