LOGAN

Seeing the defeated expression on Kayla’s face as she sits down next to me and Herman on the couch makes me realize the extra stress she’s now under. I know I probably added to that and seeing the way it’s affecting her, I feel like even more of a jackass than before.

“Kayla...” I begin, but the words get stuck in my throat.

She looks up at me, her eyes pleading to say the words I know she wants me to say, but no matter how much I want to tell her I have feelings for her, I can’t allow myself. It’s not just Skylar or my messy past with Maggie that’s stopping me, but something so much bigger than I can even explain.

“I’m truly sorry for the way I acted. You’ve had a stressful night as it is and didn’t deserve me adding to it,” I genuinely tell her, hoping we can move past the elephant in the room.

“Thanks, Logan. It’s okay. I put you in a really difficult situation tonight with Herman and that guy, so I should be the one apologizing to you. Again.” She raises her lashes and flashes a small smile.

“It’s okay. I’m just glad you called when you did. I still can’t believe he came out with a freaking shotgun.” I shake my head at the image.

“Yeah, who knew an animal neglector would own a gun?” she teases, then her smile drops. “I shouldn’t joke. It was one of the most terrifying things I’ve experienced. Though, you’ve probably been in dozens of terrifying situations before.”

I know it’s not what she wants to hear, but I say it anyway. “I have. In the military and while on police duty.” I swallow, contemplating on continuing. “But seeing that gun pointed at you tonight...I’ve never been more scared in my entire life,” I tell her honestly, and I can feel the raw emotion building up inside me.

We stare at one another, both of us unsure of what to say and now I know I’ve taken her off guard.

Finally, she breaks the tension. “Will you stay tonight?” she blurts out, her cheeks blushing instantly. “On the couch. With Herman,” she clarifies. Blinking, she gathers her thoughts and starts over. “My dogs sleep with me in my room, and I don’t know how they’ll react with a strange dog in there with them. I don’t want to leave Herman alone though.”

“Sure, that’s no problem. Herman and I will have a good man-to-man talk.” I smirk.

She smiles and laughs. “Thanks. I’m too tired to even think, so I’m going to head in with the three amigos.” She pets Herman one last time before standing up. “Wake me though if he throws up again or is acting weird, okay?”

“I will.”

“I’ll go grab you some blankets and a pillow.” She walks off down a hallway and returns moments later with a large comforter and feather pillow.

“Fancy,” I mock.

“La casa de Kayla is always fancy.” She winks. “Perks of the job, I suppose.” She shrugs when I laugh.

“Need anything else?” she asks, looking around. I can’t sleep in pants, so I’m going to need her to leave so I can get comfortable on the couch.

“Nope. All good. Herman and I will be just fine,” I reassure her.

“Okay. Well, goodnight.” She surprises me by wrapping her arms around my waist and pulling us together. “Thank you again, Logan.”

I carefully wrap my arms around her and enjoy the way she clings to me. “Anything for you, Kayla. Goodnight.”

We pull away, and I can tell she has something on her mind, but whatever it is, she decides not to say it. I watch as she walks back down the hall and wait until I hear the door close before I undress down to my boxers and get comfortable on the couch with Herman.

“Just you and me big guy,” I say, petting his head. Sleeping in a new place worries me some, mostly because I don’t want to have any nightmare outbursts and scare the shit out of Herman or Kayla. I don’t have much time to worry about it though because it doesn’t take much for me to fall asleep, especially after the day I’ve had.

Morning arrives much too soon and I’m woken up with two dog tongues in my face.

“Adam! Philip! Get over here!” I hear Kayla hiss-whisper. “Do not wake him up!”

“Too late. I’m up,” I say aloud, peeking one eye open and seeing Kayla looking disoriented. She couldn’t have had more than four hours of sleep at this hour.

“Shit, I’m sorry. Go back to sleep. I’m just taking them for their morning walk.”

“Do you want help? You must be exhausted.” I shift my body and sit upright on the couch quickly to cover myself up with the blanket once I realize I’m still in only my boxers.

“No, it’s fine. The brisk air will wake me up,” she mocks. “I’ll bring you back a donut from Donny’s!” She’s getting pulled toward the door from the dogs eager to go out. It amazes me she handles them as well as she does. For a petite girl, she sure has some strong arms.

I realize there’s something on her head and without thinking I get up and rush toward her. “Kayla, wait!”

She spins around just as I merge with her chest. “What is it?” She looks up at me, confused at our proximity and probably my lack of clothing. She slowly lowers her eyes and sharply inhales. I don’t answer her right away and wait until her eyes meet mine again.

“I think you forgot something,” I tell her, reaching for her sleeping mask that’s propped up on her forehead. I take my time, letting my fingers brush along the softness of her skin and watch as her body stills from my touch. I chuckle as I finally slide it over her head and hold it in my palm. “Donuts, huh?”

“Oh my God,” she groans, taking it from my hand. “I swear my neighbors think I’m crazy enough.”

“I think it’s cute. Donuts suit you.”

“Oh yeah? Why’s that?” she questions, ignoring the way her dogs pull against their collars.

“Sweet like sugar but a bit flaky.” I smirk.

She smacks my bare chest and her eyes widen as she registers I’m still standing in front of her without most of my clothes.

“I am not flaky! You’re supposed to say sweet and delicious, or something.”

“Sweet and delicious and flaky,” I tease.

She smiles as she rolls her eyes at me. “Well thanks for saving me from embarrassment. I’ll be back in fifteen with your flaky donut.”

“Now is that any way to talk about yourself?” I arch a brow, waiting for her verbal slap. Instead, she heads out the door and flips me the bird over her shoulder and laughs.

I watch as she flawlessly handles the dogs and wait until they get out of view before I head back to the couch where my clothes and Herman are still put.

After getting dressed and cleaned up, I take Herman to the backyard. It’s not huge, which explains why Kayla walks all the dogs every morning, but anything other than being tied to a picnic table will make Herman happy.

“That’s a good boy,” I praise as he strolls back to me. “Let’s see if you’ll eat now.”

We head back in and I refill his water dish with fresh, cold water. I set his dishes down in the kitchen so I can watch him while I make Kayla a real breakfast.

––––––––

KAYLA

The boys and I happily walk into Donny’s and he already has our treat bags set out for us.

“You treat us too good, Don.” I smile, reaching for the bags. “You might need to start giving me the mini donuts from now on.”

“Why’s that?”

“I’m worried what it’s going to do in this area—” I make a circle with my hand near my stomach. “Right here.”

“You’re crazy. You’re beautiful and perfect just the way you are.”

“Aw, Donny. Why aren’t you like thirty years younger?”

“You will find him. Don’t you worry.” He winks.

I have found him. At least I’m pretty sure I have. Too bad he doesn’t feel the same.

As we walk back toward the house, I hear my phone go off with a text message. I instantly smile when I see it’s from Courtney. Apparently, she’s finally come up for air.

Jesus Christ. She sure sugarcoats shit.

Sometimes I really regret telling her things that’ll come back to bite me in the ass. I remember that conversation clear as day too. Viola, Court, and I were having a girls’ day, getting our nails done for Court’s wedding when they asked for details on why I broke up with Tyler. Truth is, Tyler and I didn’t connect in the bedroom. I have certain tastes and we just didn’t click, but I never assumed Courtney would be prowling kinky dating sites for me.

I’m nearly in tears laughing by the time the dogs and I walk back into the house. I immediately smell food cooking from the kitchen and head there as soon as I lock the dogs back up in my bedroom.

“Are you cooking?” I ask, walking in from behind him. His back is to me as he works the stove like a pro.

“I figured you could use a good breakfast for once.”

“Smells delicious.” I set the bag of donuts on the counter. The dogs ate theirs before we even left Donny’s. “I don’t usually have time to cook anything.”

“You should always start your day off with a hearty breakfast.” He finally turns and I see the dimples in his cheeks as he smiles wide at me. “Plus, I figured it’d be rude to make myself something and not offer anything to you.” He winks.

“Should’ve known there was an ulterior motive.”

Plates are already set on the counter and I watch as he serves us equally. Scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, and fruit. It’s probably the most food my kitchen has seen in months.

“It’s amazing,” I say between bites. “I love that you added extra cheese on top.”

“Oh, it’s a must. My dad used to put hot sauce on his,” he tells me, but as soon as the words slip out, his face drops as if he hadn’t meant to admit that.

“The only time my foster parents made any kind of gourmet breakfast was on holiday mornings. Even though I was shuffled around, it was something they all had in common. Just for a day, they pretended to be a family that had their shit together and loved each other.” I deflect the conversation as best I can knowing he’s obviously uncomfortable talking about his past.

“At least you had solids,” he mocks. “My dad was strict about my diet growing up, especially in high school when I really got into sports. Protein shakes and smoothies were all I had for years.”

I chuckle lightly, agreeing with him. I wish he knew he could open up to me, tell me all his secrets and about the things he’s lived through and seen. I know he’s experienced a lot more than I have, but everyone needs a person they can talk to. However, I get the feeling Logan doesn’t talk to anyone about what he went through and just from getting to know him these past couple years, I can tell he doesn’t let himself think about it often either. He closes up anytime his past is brought up and avoids the subject.

“Christmas is my favorite holiday,” I blurt out. “It was the one day a year I could count on. That’s why I make such an effort to celebrate it.”

“Is that why you have a Christmas in July party?”

“Christmas in July Ugly Sweater Party,” I correct with a grin. “And yes. I never knew where I’d be for which holiday and what traditions they’d have that I’d maybe be a part of, but one thing was always for certain—they all watched Christmas movies. Christmas was never about the gifts for me, mostly because I learned at a really young age foster kids didn’t get many presents, so I learned to get excited about other things. Christmas traditions such as movies, parties, baking, or the Christmas musical at school. It’s the only positive memories I have from my childhood, so I like holding onto them as much as I can. They’re all I have.”

Logan studies me, his features not giving much away. He lowers his eyes briefly before looking back up at me. “What’s your favorite Christmas movie?”

“I have a lot of favorites, but if I had to pick my top favorite, it’s definitely National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”

“Really? Why that one?”

“Because it’s not the perfect Christmas that every other movie tries to portray. The family is completely dysfunctional in a funny, but realistic way. It always made me smile and laugh and even though it was a disaster of a time for their family it always gave me hope. Hope that one day I would have Christmas traditions with my own family. My own tree. Dinner on the table. Family from out of town coming to see me.” I shrug, losing myself in my thoughts. “It was the only time of year I ever felt hope and happiness, and I guess I just always wanted to bottle that up for as long as I could.”

“I can understand that,” he says, collecting our plates and placing them in the sink. “We all want to have that sense of belonging and family.”

“I don’t know any of my blood relatives, but I do know that the friends I do have, are always going to be more than family to me. They stuck around because they wanted to, not because they felt obligated to.”

“That’s a beautiful way of thinking. See? You’re always so insightful and full of good vibes.”

I snort, leaning against the counter and yawning. “I have to work at it. Some days more than others.”

Herman nudges my leg, reminding me we’re not alone. “What’s the matter, boy?” I pet his head and smile when I see his tail is wagging. “Oh, that reminds me.” I lift my head up and make eye contact with Logan. Biting my lower lip, I contemplate on asking him what I need to, but I should if I’m going to find him a home.

He cocks a brow, narrowing his eyes at me. “What’s that look?”

“I need to ask you something.” I hesitate. “I hate asking, because I know you’re busy enough, but it would only be temporary. I’d also come on my lunch breaks and after work so you wouldn’t feel obligated to switch anything around.”

“Kayla.” He holds a hand up to stop my ramblings. “Spit it out.”

“Would you foster Herman for me?” I beg with my hands. “Just for like a week? A month tops.”

“A month?” His eyes widen.

“I just don’t want to take him to the shelter if I can find him a home soon. I’d keep him but I’m worried how my dogs will take to him considering everything Herman’s been through and, I’m not sure how he’ll react to them since he wasn’t socialized.”

“Okay.”

“And I’ll pay for all his food. I’ll come and feed him and walk him, so you won’t even know he’s there. I’ll make sure he has a bed and dishes and toys and—”

“Kayla!” he shouts, grabbing my attention. “I already said okay.” He smiles.

“Really?” I squeal. “Oh my God! Thank you! You’re seriously a knight in shining armor, you know that?” I round the counter and hug him even though I know we should keep our distance, but I can’t help it.

“The last name really suits you.” I smile up at him. “Thank you again.”

He smiles briefly as he looks down at me and softly wraps a piece of loose hair behind my ear. My hair is a complete mess anyway, but his single touch immediately sends shivers down my spine and I wonder if he notices the way he affects me when he does that.

“Not sure I agree with that, but I’ll do anything for you, Kayla. Don’t forget that.”