LOGAN

Falling asleep next to Kayla made me realize that maybe I’m not the monster I always thought I was. Surprisingly, I didn’t wake up once throughout the night and loved feeling her ass press against my erection in the morning. Our bodies fit perfectly together like two puzzle pieces, and I held her like she was my saving grace. Relief washes over my face when she rolls over to kiss me. She smiles wide, and I can tell she’s happy we were able to get past this hump. It’d been years since I fell asleep with another person next to me, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried, but, deep down, I know I can’t live in fear forever.

Although nothing happened, I’m not convinced nothing could ever happen. However, I’m willing to try—for her.

The week flies by and since Kayla’s spending her day volunteering, and Skylar is mine today, I planned a small get-together with my parents. Now that Maggie lives in Sacramento, having lunches like this on the weekends is so much easier. As of right now, we aren’t doing dedicated times with Skylar because Maggie’s work schedule changes week to week, so we’re working together—for once.

A knock echoes through the house, and, when I open the door, I see Maggie and Skylar.

“Daddy!” Skylar squeals, jumping in for a hug.

“Hi, sweetheart! I missed you,” I tell her even though it hasn’t been long since I’ve seen her last. It doesn’t matter though. I always miss her when she’s not with me.

“Come in,” I tell Maggie, stepping aside.

“I can’t stay too long. I don't want to be late,” Maggie says, dressed in her scrubs. She steps in and starts looking around. Her eyes light up and her jaw nearly falls to the floor.

“Wow, Logan. It looks amazing in here,” she praises.

Skylar grabs Maggie’s hand and leads her to her bedroom with Herman right behind them.

“See Mommy!” Skylar says proud of her room. “Herman sleeps here, and I sleep here. And come see.” She runs to the window and pushes the purple curtain to the side. “Look!”

Maggie sees the swing set in the backyard then looks around the room and she’s taken aback. For once she has no words which kind of shocks me.

“You did all this for her?” she asks as we walk down the hall toward the front door.

“I wanted it to be perfect for when she stayed with me.” I admit.

“You did a great job, Logan. She really loves it here,” Maggie says, and I follow her outside.

“Thank you, Mags. That means a lot.” I shove my hands in my pockets and she stands there for a moment staring at me.

“I knew the real you would eventually come around. Whatever is making you happy, keep doing it. Skylar needs her daddy.” Maggie gets in her car and smiles at me before backing out the driveway. Her words resonate with me as I walk back inside the house and the only difference in my life is Kayla. She’s what’s making me happy. She’s what’s changing me for the better.

I can hear Skylar in her room talking to Herman and I lean my shoulder against the doorway and watch. She’s got a crown on his head and is brushing him with a princess comb that goes to one of her dolls. He looks miserable but allows her to do whatever she wants to him. These are the irreplaceable moments I yearned for.

“Look, Daddy! Herman is a pretty princess.”

“He sure is,” I say just as the oven timer goes off. “Be right back, baby. Gran and Pawpaw are coming over soon to have lunch with us.”

“Okay, Daddy,” she says, following me into the kitchen talking a million miles to nothing about her new dance class. I’m happy she’s meeting new friends and loves her instructor.

I pull the casserole out of the oven and place it on top when I hear a faint knock on the door. Skylar runs through the kitchen to the living room and asks who it is, but there’s no response.

I stop what I’m doing and open the door and that’s when I see Kayla running back to her car just as my parents are pulling into the driveway, blocking her in.

“Kayla,” I call after her.

She turns and looks at me. “I’m sorry.” Her face drops. “I forgot that...”

I wave my hand for her to come back. Just as she steps back up the porch, Skylar comes running out the door and charges at my parents with her arms open wide. I hear my mother talking to her and telling her how big she looks.

“Mom. Dad.” I motion for them to come meet us at the door. “I have someone I want you to meet.”

Kayla looks up at me with wide eyes, but I wrap my arm around her and flash her a smile so she doesn’t worry.

“Who is this?” Skylar asks shyly as she walks toward us with my parents.

“This is Kayla.” I wave a hand between them. “She helped decorate your room.”

“Oh, cool.” She starts jumping around, and I know I’ve lost her interest.

“Kayla, these are my parents. Richard and Meredith Knight.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Kayla greets, holding her hand out, but, of course, Mom doesn’t go for it.

“I don’t know what treatment our son’s been showing you around here, but we’re huggers.” She wraps her arms around Kayla and gives her a tight squeeze. “It’s been a long time since Logan’s introduced us to a girl.”

“Mom,” I warn, but she hushes me.

“Well, it’s true,” she snickers, giving me a side-eye glare.

“Meredith, stop hogging the pretty girl,” my dad says, stepping forward to give Kayla a hug. “You’re way too pretty for my son, by the way.” He winks at her before stepping back.

Kayla snorts and chuckles, obviously surprised by my parents’ bluntness.

“Well, let’s head inside. Hope you’re all hungry!” I hug my mom and shake my dad’s hand. “I made Grandma’s Italian casserole.”

“Starving,” my dad says and mom smiles and we all walk in the house together.

I step back and walk beside Kayla. “I’m so sorry to intrude. I was going to bring some treats for Herman because they were on sale and didn’t realize...”

“You’re stuck like glue, Angel. Come have lunch with us. It’ll be fine.”

She hesitates but walks inside and smiles sweetly with the bag of dog treats in her hand.

I set plates and place the casserole and salad in the middle of the table. Mom and Dad sit down beside each other and Kayla sits across from them and Skylar rushes to sit beside her. When Herman moseys into the kitchen, with the crown still attached to his head, Kayla bursts out laughing then opens the backdoor and lets him out.

“He’s a princess,” Skylar explains to her.

“I see that,” Kayla says so sweetly. “I’ve heard you are too.”

Skylar giggles and tries to sit as close as possible to Kayla.

As we eat, my parents ask her questions that are maybe a little too personal to discuss but that’s just how they are. Nothing’s off limits when it comes to my parents.

“How did you two meet?” Mom asks.

“Oh, we have mutual friends, Drew and Courtney,” Kayla explains.

“So how are Drew and Courtney? They are such a sweet couple,” Mom asks between bites.

“They’re doing great, Mom. Happily married,” I remind her. “And doing lots of newlywed-type things.”

Kayla snorts besides me.

“Oh, newlyweds. You know how I love weddings,” she draws out, glaring at me. She then winks at Kayla, and I officially want to stab my fork in my eye. Dad stays quiet, too busy stuffing his face with his favorite pasta dish. 

“I love weddings, too! Drew and Courtney’s was beautiful, but it was so hot in Texas.” Kayla smiles then looks over at me. “This casserole is so good. You’ll have to share the recipe with me.”

She just changed the marriage subject like a pro. I look over and smile proudly.

“It was one of my grandmother’s recipes that she always made when I was a kid,” I tell her.

“I’m going to have to give her a call and let her know. It tastes exactly like hers, secret ingredient and all,” Mom says, finishing the food on my plate.

“You even added the red wine to the sauce?” Dad adds, and I nod.

Kayla glances over at me, her mouth slightly falling open, and I shoot her a wink. She’s not the only one who adds secret ingredients to their recipes.

Once we’re finished eating, Skylar hugs my mother and father and is so proud of her room, she drags them in there for an official room tour. She’s telling them about every little detail, and I can hear my mom telling her how beautiful everything is. I take the moment to steal a kiss from Kayla.

“Your parents are so nice,” she whispers against my lips.

“They like you.”

She blushes.

I start cleaning off the table and she helps me load all the dishes in the dishwasher.

“There’s a new Disney movie in the theatre today. Thought we’d take Skylar to see it,” Mom says.

Skylar starts bouncing around and begs to go.

“Okay. Okay. Only if you promise not to fill her with chocolate and send her back,” I tell my mother, looking her straight in the eyes.

“No promises, son,” Dad adds with a grin, and I know for a fact they’re going to buy her whatever she wants. She has us all—most especially my parents—wrapped around her little pinky.

“It starts in about forty-five minutes,” Mom tells Skylar and she’s so excited about the movie that I let out a chuckle.

“Which means we should probably get going so we don’t get stuck in traffic,” Dad says placing his hand on Mom’s shoulder. Before they head out, they give Kayla a big hug and tell her how much they enjoyed meeting her.

Skylar motions for Kayla to bend down and whispers to her. “You decorated my room?”

Kayla nods with a smile. “I did.”

“How did you know what I liked?” Skylar asks as my parents start moving toward the door, waiting for her.

“Your dad told me,” Kayla whispers.

Skylar’s mouth drops open then she smiles real big and runs off.

“We’ll be back in a few hours,” Mom calls out.

I give Skylar a hug goodbye and remind her to behave, even though I know she will because she’s a good kid.

Once they’re gone, Kayla lets out a sigh of relief.

“Seriously, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to impose or anything. I feel horrible.”

I place my hands on her shoulders, and her eyes meet mine. “I’m glad you’re here. I should’ve invited you...I’m still learning these things.”

She gives me a weak smile. “As soon as I heard Skylar’s voice, I tried to run back to the car and leave as quick as I could, but you were too fast,” she admits. “I understand how important it is for our relationship to stay separate from that part of your world.”

Before she can continue, I place my lips against hers and kiss the fuck out of her. She pours herself into me and when we pull away, I pull her into a hug.

“You’re a big part of my world now, Kayla. Don’t you ever forget that.”

––––––––

KAYLA

Though Logan has said over and over that he was genuinely happy I joined his family for lunch on Saturday, I’ve still felt terrible about it crashing it. He’s an honest and genuine guy, and I know if it was an issue, he would’ve said so, but that still doesn’t make my guilt vanish. However, I loved meeting Skylar and his parents so much. Skylar’s so full of life and such a beautiful little girl, and his parents were so welcoming and kind. Admittedly, I felt like I was with family, not a sensation I’m too accustomed to.

Today, Courtney and Drew invited us all over for a cookout, and I’m excited to be going. Logan is picking me up and we’re driving over there together, and honestly it feels great to be out and open about us. There’s no more secrets. No more hiding. Everyone knows we’re together, and I couldn’t be happier about that.

Right on time, Logan pulls up wearing jeans and a button-up shirt.

“What are you smiling about?” he asks as we walk to the car hand in hand.

“I was just thinking that you look so damn good I could eat a donut...” I lift my eyebrows, not finishing the sentence, and he starts chuckling.

“Maybe we’ll save it for the honeymoon considering all my mother talks about since she met you is our wedding.”

“Does she really?” I sincerely ask.

“You made an impression on her. You’re a sweet and kind girl and she knows a good girl when she sees one—her words not mine. I wanted to tell her how bad you really are, but I thought that would be highly inappropriate considering it’s my mother. Oh, and she wants us to join them for dinner sometime next week, if you’re available.”

I don’t know what to say, but I love his mom already. She looks like the type of mother that would be caring and affectionate and send you home with a dozen of freshly-baked cookies after each visit like the perfect TV mom.

“Yeah, I’d love that. I really like your mom and your dad, too. She just seems so perfect. And your dad, he’s funny but quiet. You remind me a lot of him.”

Logan looks out into the distance as if he’s thinking of something. “I love them both. Since Dad is former military, I can see where you’d get that. Sometimes, there’s nothing to say, so it’s easier to just watch. And mom, she can be very—what’s the word—overbearing at times. But she means well.”

“You’re lucky,” I say and Logan grabs my hand.

“Only because I have you.”

My heart slightly melts as we pull up to Drew and Courtney’s. Logan parks then turns and looks at me. “I mean it.”

We both sit in the car for a second, not breaking our eye contact. “That’s why I like you so much. You don’t allow my insecurities to take over. You welcome and dismiss them. Thank you for caring about me. I can’t say too many people have,” I say truthfully.

He sucks in a deep breath. “I try to be a better person, to live by the examples you set for yourself. I’m not perfect. I have my own issues and demons that I wrestle every day but I’m trying because you keep me grounded. You’ve made me a better person, a better father, and a better son. You rescued me when I needed it the most.”

My nose begins to burn and my eyes fill with tears. I’m trying not to lose it, but I feel my emotions getting ready to spill over. I try to suck in air, and as a single tear rolls down my cheek, Logan catches it with his finger and kisses it away. I let out a breath as I fight for control. “I guess we should get in there.”

His thumb brushes across my cheek, then across my lips before he kisses me. My eyes flutter closed and I know that I could sit here with him in this car forever, but we have to go.

We get out of the car and Logan wraps his arm around my shoulder as we walk to the door. Ringing the doorbell, Courtney answers with an apron tied around her waist and she has that crazy look in her eye like she’s been baking muffins for days. As soon as we walk in and see the castle of them on the table, I know something is up.

“Hey, Court. What’s been going on?” I smile and watch Logan meet Drew and Travis outside. Viola shakes her head behind Courtney, trying to give me a warning but I see it way too late.

Courtney grabs a muffin, breaks it in two and begins eating it. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get pregnant. It’s been months and I really thought it would happen by now.”

Viola gives Courtney a sweet smile and they exchange a hug. I can tell she’s really upset about this. “I got my period this morning and it’s just made me even more moody because I know I’m not pregnant.”

I give her a hug. “Aww, honey, I’m so sorry. It’s going to happen. In the meanwhile, enjoy all the amazing sex.”

She almost forces a laugh. “It is pretty amazing.”

“See, that’s a plus. Trust me when I say your sex life will almost die after you give birth.” Viola tells us.

“Right, Lola,” Courtney says not believing her. “That’s why there’s three little Traviolas running around?”

“Okay well it dies at first. But then you have to worry about another little human running around and can’t just come and go as you please. It changes things for sure. I know you’re more than ready, Court. And you’re going to make a great mom, but there’s no rush,” Viola tells her.

“Viola is right,” I add.

“I don’t want to be the old mom with a kid in kindergarten. I’m already at my prime!” Courtney goes to grab another muffin and Viola stops her.

“Stressing about it won’t help. It will happen when it’s supposed to happen. Just believe in the timing. No need to be impatient. It’s totally a Texan thing, isn’t it?” I ask.

“You’re right, Kay. God, I love y’all. You make me feel so much better. I’m sure Drew is tired of seeing the garbage can of ovulation and pregnancy tests and hearing me groan after every negative result. I curse them little sticks more than the damn scale.”

We go in for a group hug, just as the men walk in and they immediately walk back outside.

“I guess Drew warned them all,” Courtney jokes and grabs the salad out of the fridge.

“He probably did,” Viola admits and it causes me to laugh. “Though Travis knows considering you’ve been a little stressed at work for the past couple months.”

“I’ve got to stop taking random pregnancy tests at work. They make me want to kick dirt,” Courtney admits, her nostrils flaring.

“Yes, you do. For the sake of everyone. Your wrath is frightening,” Viola says and opens the door to the patio. We follow her out and start setting the table.

The afternoon is perfect. The wind is blowing freely through my hair and the smell of the meat on the grill is divine. Logan randomly shoots me smiles from across the patio and it makes me feel so damn special and beautiful.

We all sit down to eat, and he rests his hand on my thigh. What’s even better is no one asks any questions about us. Probably because it was obvious we had feelings for each other all this time. Once we’re done eating, the guys watch a baseball game and the three of us just sit on the patio and chitchat about everything.

“How are things going so far?” Viola finally asks.

“It’s perfect. I can’t complain at all. Everything I ever imagined,” I say with doe-eyes.

“Everything, everything?” Courtney asks and I laugh at her, because I know what she’s insinuating. Sex.

“Especially that everything.” I reassure her.

Viola lifts her wine glass in the air and Courtney lifts her bottle of water, because she is so not drinking until after she’s had a baby.

“I will drink to that,” Viola says.

Just as we clank our drinks together, Logan walks outside. “What are you toasting to?”

I smile real big. “To cream-filled donuts.”

He slightly stiffens and it makes me laugh so hard that my stomach hurts, but the confusion on Courtney’s face lets him know that they really have no idea.

“Hey, I thought we could get going. I have something I need to take care of.”

Viola and Courtney fill in the silence with oohs and ahhs, finally teasing.

I stand and tell the girls bye as I follow him through the house. I say bye to Drew and Travis and they lift their beers at me.

Once we’re outside I ask if everything is okay.

“Yep. Maggie got called into work so I need to get Skylar.”

My demeanor completely changes. “That’s no problem, you can drop me off at home and I–”

“I’ll be happy to drop you off at home, but then you need to take your dogs out and come back over. Skylar wants to watch The Little Mermaid, and, well, I thought you’d like to watch it with us.”

“You’re inviting me over? With Skylar there?” I ask, the surprise evident in my tone.

“Of course. She asked if the pretty lady who decorated her room would come over too.”

I place my hand over my heart and can’t help but let out an, “Aww.”

“So, pretty lady, are you coming?”

“Absolutely.”

Logan drops me off and I feed the boys treats and let them play outside while I look for all the extra princess stuff I have stored in my garage. There’s crowns and even costumes that I think are her size. I’ve been saving them for the perfect time and this is it. The whole drive over, all I can think about is how excited she’s going to be. I even packed pink popcorn for us to eat while watching the movie.

As soon as I pull up, I can see the porch light is on waiting for me. I knock on the door and hear Skylar ask who it is. I answer and she opens the door.

“Hey! We were waiting for you!” she says with a big toothy smile.

Logan is sitting on the couch, leaning against the arm with a sexy smile on his face. Okay, so the dad thing really does work for him. I bend down, where I’m eye to eye with Skylar and pull two crowns out of my bag.

“Ooh, they are sparkly!”

“Which one do you want?” I ask her, holding them both in my hand.

She picks one and I place it on her head and her face lights up when I place the other one on my head. I pull out a few princess dresses and she begs Logan to put one on and he gives her permission. She runs to the bathroom and it takes her awhile.

“She already adores you,” Logan says quietly.

“I adore her, too.”

Skylar comes sprinting out of the bathroom looking like Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

“Oh, it fits you perfectly! You look so pretty!” I compliment her as she twirls around.

“Can we watch this one instead, Daddy?” She points to the dress.

“Yeah, baby. Whichever one you want.”

Before the movie starts, I place the colored popcorn in the microwave and she loves it and asks tons of questions about why it’s that color. Once Beauty and the Beast starts playing, Skylar leans her head against me. Logan watches us, not taking his eyes off us. I look over at him and he’s smiling with so much adoration and love in his eyes that it almost takes my breath away.

By the time the movie’s over, Skylar is asleep on me. Logan carefully picks her up and walks her to her bedroom. I lean against the doorway as I watch him carefully tuck her in and pet Herman who is happily asleep on the trundle bed.

Logan walks me out to my car and runs his fingers through my hair before he kisses me. As we break apart, he searches my eyes, as if he has something else to say.

I swallow hard, not rushing him, as his face is mere inches from mine.

“I love you, Kayla.” He presses a soft kiss against my lips. Leaning his forehead against mine, he releases a breath. “I love you so much.”

Butterflies swarm my belly at his sincere tone. His words leave me breathless, but somehow, I find my voice. I look up into his eyes and smile. “I love you, too.”