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Jack clapped and laughed and squirmed.
“Leave the nice man alone.” Bailey took Jack to strap him into his car seat.
Logan used the excuse to dry his face as best he could, but he couldn’t help smiling.
“Thanks for your help.” Bailey turned back to him. “You’re good with kids.” Despite having to cart around two children, the corners of her mouth had been tugged up since she approached him, happiness gleaming in her eyes.
Would Jodie look like that with kids? Logan shook the thought aside. “No problem. Can I ask you something? I’ll make it quick.”
“Sure.”
“Do you ever feel like you gave anything up? Having kids so young, that is.” He frowned. “Never mind. That was rude of me.”
Bailey laughed. “It’s all right. And no, I don’t. There are days that take more planning. Tonight for instance. And I don’t know if I could do it without Wyatt, but I never surrendered anything. I gained two lives to appreciate and nurture.”
Logan saidgoodnightto Bailey and headed home. He couldn’t get Jodie out of his head, but his thoughts traveled in a different direction than before. His gut churned at her hurt when he tried to shove his opinion on her.
But a glimmer of awe sparked through guilt at how determined she was to do this, even if it was on her own. He’d seen her succeed at everything in her life she set her mind to—it was one of the things he admired about her—and this wouldn’t be any different. Besides, if he was forced to admit it, he wouldn’t mind seeing a little Jodie-tot running around.
He’d beUncle Logan, and he could spoil the kid rotten. And she’d be an amazing mother. Hell, if she let him, he’d even babysit. The thought caught him off-guard, but it felt right.
A new layer of reality barged in. There had been something in her eyes when she looked at him—regret, mixed with the anger and hurt. He and Jodie didn’t have that kind of relationship. He’d be better off going back to avoiding her.
****
When Saturday evening and dinner with their parents rolled around, that wasn’t an option anymore.
That was okay. He could scowl at her and be aloof, the way he always was. Apparently she expected it.
He was waiting at the restaurant, where they were all supposed to meet. He wasn’t surprised to be the first one here. Dad would be a little late. He always had a hard time finding his way around this town—said the layout of the city didn’t make sense.
Jodie didn’t keep Logan waiting long. She arrived a few minutes later. He tried not to stare, as she crossed the parking lot toward him. It was impossible to ignore the way she looked in that sun dress, though. It was deceptively innocent, like so many things she did. Sleeveless and hugging her torso, it showed off her breasts without exposing more cleavage than was appropriate for dinner with the folks. The skirt flared out at her hips and ended just above her knees.
Is she wearing panties?
What the hell was wrong with him? That should be the last thing he wondered about.
I bet she’ll look even sexier when she starts to show.
Correction—second-to-last thing.
He bit the inside of his cheek until he tasted copper. The pain was almost enough to subdue the heat flooding his body.
He smiled, but was tense, as she drew closer, and she stared back blankly in return.
“About the other day…” He trailed off.
“There’s nothing to say.” Her tone was cold.
“But—”
“Kids, sorry to keep you waiting.” Logan’s dad stepped into view from behind Logan, his arm wrapped around Jodie’s mother’s waist.
“It’s fine. We haven’t been here long.” Logan gave Megan a quick kiss on the cheek, and Jodie exchanged hugs with her and Duke.
In those few short seconds, Jodie’s demeanor shifted from icy to politely distant.
Good.Everything was returning to normal. Their parents wouldn’t think anything was amiss. And nothing was.
