LOGAN

The weekend with Skylar was perfect. The daughter-daddy dance went off without a hitch and I loved watching her dance in the recital. Maggie and I sat close but our words were limited. My parents drove out to see Skylar dance too. For once, we almost seemed like a family.

Maggie thanked me before I left. It was a simple gesture, one that I appreciated. I truly believe she’s considering moving closer now, just by side comments she made to my parents, which is a relief.

Once I’m home, I let Herman out, kick off my shoes and finish watching the Yankees game. My phone rings and I see Kayla’s name flash across the screen. I smile and answer it, but my heart drops when I hear her voice, broken and ragged.

“Logan...I called the police, but I’m scared.”

I don’t hesitate to put on my shoes and grab my keys. “Talk to me. Tell me what’s going on. Where are you?”

I’m in my car, starting it, and already down the street before she responds.

“I’m at home. Someone...someone broke into my house.”

I step on the gas and head toward her, trying to keep her attention, hoping she stays safe. “Get in your car and lock the door in case the person is still there. I’m on my way.”

I hear her fidget with her keys and the car door slams closed, and I feel better knowing she’s safe.

“Tell me what you see.” I stay calm, but I grip the steering wheel with a tight grasp. She’s silent for a moment which causes me to drive faster.

“My front door looks like it’s been knocked off the hinges and the doorknob is broken. I hope my dogs are okay. I don’t care about anything else.”

She’s holding back tears and it rips through me like glass.

“You once told me they were protective and their bark is bigger than their bite. I doubt anyone got far after hearing or seeing Adam.”

She sniffs. “I hope you’re right.”

Before she can say another word, I’m pulling into her driveway.

Kayla gets out of her car and mascara is in long streaks down her cheeks. Her body is shaking and I pull her into my arms to offer some sort of comfort.

“You’re okay, everything is going to be okay,” I tell her and she holds me tight.

Just as she pulls away, a police car slows and pulls into the driveway. Tyler gets out with his new partner and walks toward Kayla. Things just got awkward considering Kayla dated him for a short period last year. He pulls out a notepad to take notes as his partner heads toward the house with a flashlight.

“Knight,” he says, then glances over at Kayla who is visibly upset. Confusion flashes across his face and I know he’s trying to figure out why I’m here. With her.

“Tyler,” she says, forcing a smile. “I’m thankful you’re here.” Her words cause him to perk up a little, and by the way he looks at her, I’m not sure he ever got over the breakup. I never asked why they are no longer a thing, because I felt it wasn’t my business, but from what I pieced together, Kayla ended it.

I take the opportunity to step away and follow Officer Castle over to the door.

“Knight,” he says with a big smile and offers me a friendly but firm handshake.

He points his flashlight at the door and Kayla had described it correctly, ripped off the hinges.

“Looks like someone really wanted in,” Castle says, inspecting it closer. The door is cracked open, and when Castle peeks inside, all of Kayla’s dogs start barking furiously which makes me smile. The princes may have been the only thing that stopped the intruder. I look over my shoulder and see Tyler talking entirely way too close to her, flirting while on the job. Castle flags them to come over.

“What the hell,” Tyler says, noticing how damaged the door is. “Whoever it was must have used something pretty heavy to break the knob like this and tons of force to damage the frame so badly.”

I hold back my Captain Obvious remarks and stand back because he’s always seemed slightly intimidated by me.

“I’m really scared to go inside,” Kayla says, which causes Tyler to act like a superhero and swing open the door. He’s trying to show off, I think. Kayla’s dogs are barking like crazy and she runs to them, trying to comfort them, petting and kissing each one. She gives them a few treats then begins turning on all the lights in the house as Castle searches around with her. Tyler stays back with me. He glances over at me and I look him straight in the eyes.

“Why are you here?” he asks.

“Because she wants me here.” My answer is short and he gets the hint, but it’s none of his damn business.

“Everything looks exactly how I left it,” Kayla says, walking back to the living room where Tyler and I are standing. “I’m just confused why someone would go through all the trouble.”

Castle begins writing up the police report and I take a moment to step outside and clear my mind. Why the hell would someone target her? The neighborhood has little to no crime and it’s barely after dark. Someone was looking for something, but what?

I walk to the end of her driveway and look up and down the street; everything is completely calm. Light poles line the streets and the neighborhood is well lit. It blows my mind how no one saw or reported anything. Castle and Tyler step outside with Kayla behind them. I can tell she’s not herself and I hate seeing her like this.

“We’re going to file this police report, and you should be able to pick up a copy tomorrow for your insurance. If you find that anything is missing or there’s other damage, please let us know.”

“Thanks, Tyler,” Kayla says.

He gives her a smile and places his hand on her shoulder. “If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to let me know.”

She doesn’t respond but offers him a smile and they get in the police car and leave. I hold up a hand waving goodbye as they back out of the driveway then walk to her.

“Why would anyone break in and not take anything? I feel so violated,” she says.

“You’re positive nothing is missing?”

“Nothing was taken.”

We move toward the house again and she hesitates before walking in, but goes inside. I follow her through each room, and, she’s right, it does look as if nothing was touched. Everything is tidy and neat and she’s really transformed her house into a home. Pictures of her dogs are scattered around in silver frames and she’s got motivational printed quotes on her walls. I’ve been in her house a few times before but I’ve never noticed the little details, the stuff that makes it hers.

She turns and looks at me and swallows hard. “This was left on the fridge.” She’s holding a piece of paper.

“What is it?”

She hands it over. It’s a note that reads, I’ll be back.

“What the fuck?”

“I’m pretty sure I know who it was now.” Kayla’s eyes lower and she wraps her arms around her body.

“I can take a guess.” Herman’s former owner, no doubt. “I’m not allowing you to stay here tonight.”

Her face contorts, and for the first time tonight, I see her hold back a smile. “You’re not the boss of me, Detective.”

“Tonight I am. I can’t in good conscience let you stay here alone.”

“But...”

“No buts. Grab your shit. Get your dogs. You’re staying with me.”

––––––––

KAYLA

Courtney, Viola, and I went out for pedicures after I volunteered at the retirement home on Maple Street. A few times a month, I go and visit the residents. I know what it’s like to not have a family who cares or a family at all, so I try to bring small gifts and books for them. It’s something I’ve done since moving to Sacramento. Many of them call me their adopted granddaughter, and it feels good to have a sense of family, even if they aren’t blood related.

The weather is perfect and I can’t help but notice the pinks and purples in the sky as I pull into the Nail Depot. As soon as I walk inside, Courtney and Viola come to me and we exchange hugs.

“I so need this,” I say.

“Girl, I haven’t had a pedicure since the wedding. I’m gonna have to tip her big. Better pull out the cheese grater,” Courtney says under her breath just loud enough for Viola and me to hear.

“You’re disgusting!” Viola says as we’re being walked over to the foot tubs and chairs that give massages.

“Never a dull moment with you, Court.” She smiles at me.

“Catch us up with what’s going on with you,” Viola says. “It’s been awhile.”

“I still haven’t heard what happened the night at the Wine Bar,” Courtney says. “But if you don’t want to talk about it, I totally understand.”

I bite my lip and smile. “I was on a date with Christian and stupid me couldn’t keep my eyes of Logan.”

“Wait, who’s Christian?” Viola asks.

“This super hot vet that asked Kayla on a date, but I have a feeling it’s not going to work out.” Courtney fills her in quickly.

“Logan met me in the hall and took my breath away for the second time. Bastard.” I whisper. “I wish he would just give me a chance. He’s driving me crazy.”

“Maybe he’s changing his mind?” Viola says.

“Hopefully.” Courtney tucks her hair behind her ear. “Anytime I mention your name around him, I can see a flicker of something in his eyes. I just really hope he’s the bad boy kind in bed so he doesn’t disappoint like Tyler.”

I instantly laugh. “Logan’s too brooding to be sweet and sensitive in the sheets.”

“I bet he’s a freak,” Viola says.

“You could probably spot them considering who your husband is,” Courtney adds.

Viola doesn’t disagree and laughs. “I’ve got a knack for those things.”

Once our toes are painted and we’ve paid our bills, we walk outside and stand around and chat. “I’m starting to plan my Christmas in July Ugly Sweater party. I’ll let you know when it is, but you all have to come,” I tell Courtney and Viola before we walk to our cars.

“We’ll be there!” Viola says.

“For sure let me know, I’ve got a new Christmas muffin recipe I’ll make.” Courtney gives me a wink.

“Oh my gosh, you better!” I tell her, not even kidding.

We exchange hugs then we all go our separate ways.

I drive home thinking about how much I love those girls. Once I park in my driveway, I grab a few portfolios from the backseat, and that’s when I feel something is off, but I don’t notice it until I pull out my keys to open the front door. I take a few steps back and stumble away, realizing my front door is cracked, the knob is damaged along with the frame. I don’t think twice before I reach for my phone and dial 9-1-1. Once I hang up, the next person I call is Logan. I’m on edge waiting for him, needing him to answer.

My heart is racing, and when he answers, he instantly knows something is wrong. It takes everything in me to find my words, and I do what he says and wait in my car until he arrives. Fear rushes through mem and my body trembles from the inside out. All I can think about are my babies and I hope they’re okay. Just the thought of something happening to Adam, Philip, and Kristoff forces me to fight back tears. Nothing else in that house matters to me.

In less than ten minutes, Logan is in my driveway and I breathe a breath of relief. As soon as I get out of my car, he pulls me into his strong arms and it feels like home. I open my mouth to say something, but as soon as I do a police car pulls into my driveway.

My heart drops when I see Tyler get out of the car considering our past. I tense but push it away because I have to. I don’t think he got over the fact that I ended it and the way he’s looking at me and eyeing Logan tells me I’m right. I go through the motions as if he’s not an ex and walk toward the house. When Tyler opens the door, I run to my pups. Their bark is fierce, but they are nothing more than big balls of fur. I give them love, kissing and petting each one, then grab a few treats.

“Are my boys okay?” They wag their tails as if nothing happened, and for the first time all night, I slightly relax. I turn around and glance over at Logan and Tyler standing next to each other chatting then walk around the house with Officer Castle. Everything is in place, just as I had left it, but it confuses me more than anything. Why go through all the trouble?

Tyler and Officer Castle give me the rundown and Logan steps outside. I’m worried that he’s leaving since I’ve filed the report. My heart rate increases, and all I want to do is make sure he’s still here. I follow Officer Castle outside and I see Logan standing next to his car. Our eyes meet across the distance and I’m relieved he hasn’t left.

Once the police car backs out of the driveway, Logan walks toward me. I swallow hard, noticing the jeans hanging off his hips and the black T-shirt that’s holding on to his abs for dear life and all I can think is he came to rescue me like a real-life knight in shining armor.

He asks me a few questions about the break-in and we walk back toward the house and I hesitate before opening the door. I know the night is almost over and he will leave and I’ll be here alone drowning in my thoughts of what-if and might-haves. I turn and look at Logan.

“I’m not allowing you to stay here tonight,” he says, sternly.

“You’re not the boss of me, Detective,” I say playfully, knowing damn well I’d let him be the boss of me any day.

“Tonight I am. I can’t in good conscious let you stay here.”

His words catch me off guard and I can’t help the way my body responds to him. “But...”

“No buts. Grab your shit. Get your dogs. You’re staying with me.” His words ring through my house and I stand there for a moment staring at him. I guess this makes me a real-life damsel in distress.

He lifts his brows and flashes me that smirk that always gives me butterflies. Sometimes I think he’s flirting with me, but then other times I know to not get my hopes up.

It takes me awhile to pack an overnight bag and grab leashes and food for the dogs. Logan helps me carry everything outside and I load the dogs up in my backseat as I follow him to his house.

“Okay, boys. We’re going to have a slumber party tonight at Logan’s. You know how I feel about him so please behave.”

Kristoff and Adam stare out the window while Philip lays in the backseat.

“I’ll take that as an okay.”

I pull up to Logan’s house and he gets out and grabs all my things and carries them inside. He sets my bag down on the couch and my dogs go crazy and want to play as soon as they see Herman.

“Calm down, calm down.” I take them off their leashes and Logan opens the backdoor and the four of them run outside as fast as they can.

He laughs. “That should keep them busy for a while.”

He walks toward me and studies my face. “Are you okay?”

“I am now,” I say truthfully.

We exchange a moment and there’s so many words I want to say.

“Thank you. Thank you for rescuing me...again. I feel so stupid. I’m sorry for bothering you and—”

“Kayla.” He takes a step forward. “Don’t ever think you’re bothering me. If you need anything, I’m here for you. Always.”

I tuck my lips inside my mouth. No one has ever said those words to me and meant them, no one except for Logan. “Thank you.”

“I really appreciate this. You have no idea what this means to me. The couch will be fine,” I say, grabbing a throw pillow and sitting.

“No. You can stay in my room with your pups.”

My mouth falls open. “But...”

He places his index finger below my chin and shuts my mouth. “I’ve already told you no buts. There’s clean sheets and tons of room for the princes. I insist.” Logan stands, grabs my overnight bags and waits for me to follow with a boyish grin on his face. I do as he wishes and Herman bolts in through the back door with the other three in tow just as I’m taking a step forward. I trip over them and Logan catches me in his arms.

“I’m such a damsel tonight. Geez.”

He chuckles. “It’s fine.”

Kristoff, Adam, and Philip run past me and jump on Logan’s perfectly-made bed. “Looks like they’ve made themselves at home already,” I say.

“And you should too. If you need anything, I’ll be on the couch. Just holler.” Logan gives me another smile, sets my bags on the edge of the bed, and shuts the door behind him.

Not too long ago I was pissed at him and now I’m sleeping over at his house, in his room, in his bed. The smell of him surrounds me as I undress and slip under his sheets. My pups are scattered around the bed, completely laid out, and after I put on my sleeping mask I somehow fall asleep thinking of nothing but him.