Ben

Despite Lauren’s attempts at attacking Logan and pleading with me to change my mind, Dad leaves Belize without a fuss. I was, frankly, stunned by his composure. There had to be a catch. Some mysterious plot working in the background that would leave him the ultimate victor.

But there wasn’t. On the day of his flight, Dad hugged Reece. Squeezed my shoulder. Told me to send Logan my regards. Then he and Lauren boarded the plane. All without a backward glance.

Two weeks have passed and, though he’s called to talk to Reece, there hasn’t been so much as a peep of disapproval from him.

Which means one of two things.

(A) Dad has matured beyond my wildest imagination or…

(B) Dad is choosing not to alienate me the way he did Harry. After all, it’s his stubbornness and pride that drove Harry away and forced him to keep Reece a secret in the first place.

Whatever the reason, Dad isn’t getting in my way. He’s not rooting for me either, but I can use all the support I can get right now, even if it comes in the form of a truce.

Things have changed drastically since Reece started school and I got the job at Sara and Hilton’s studio.

Maybe I’m just terrible at multitasking. Or maybe having all that free time while Reece was on summer vacation lulled me into thinking this parent-thing would be easy.

Man, was I wrong.

Taking care of another human being is tough. And I’m not even doing it alone.

Logan helps me out in the mornings. Big time. I’ve never been much of an early-riser and the concept of a class that starts at eight is one I left behind when I graduated high school. If not for Logan and her crazy commitment to keeping a schedule, the kid would probably be late for school everyday.

Thankfully, Reece is always clothed, fed, and ready for school by seven. That’s when I force myself out of bed and take a shower.

Logan usually bangs on the bathroom door and curses me out in the most PG way possible until I finish. When I open up, she’ll scream at me for a minute or two and then barge inside to brush her teeth or fix her makeup.

It’s my responsibility to get Reece to school. Which is a daunting task in Belizean morning traffic.

I secretly suspect that all Belizean drivers are preparing to audition for the Fast and Furious franchise. The fact that we don’t have more traffic accidents continues to baffle me.

By the time I get to my job, I’m usually swearing, stressed, and a few minutes shy of the hour. But at least the work itself is calming. I get to sketch for most of the morning and then I meet with Hilton to hash out details of the launch.

I eat lunch by myself since Sara and Hilton are stupid in love and their cheesy smiles and sappy lines aren’t good for my digestion.

In the afternoons, I complete my marketing checklist, send emails, and call our international suppliers. It’s a task I’ve taken over since Hilton hates dealing with the contractors, and I have no problem with it.

I want this launch to go well almost more than Sara and Hilton do.

At three, I pick Reece up from school and listen to her detailed explanation of everything she did, saw and heard that day. I’m pretty sure I can pick out every one of her peers by her descriptions alone.

Most of the time, I let her voice become background noise. If I bob my head and mumble ‘that’s cool’, she seems none the wiser.

After school, I take Reece to work with me. She’ll do her homework in the small conference room while I finish up for the day. Then we’ll either drive or walk home together. Depending on the weather.

Once a week, I take her to Logan’s salon for her ‘job’. While Reece sweeps and completes the various odd tasks Tanya and Logan assign her, I sit in the office and relax with a webtoon until both women are ready to leave.

Today, I sink into the office chair and skim through the episodes I need to catch up on. There’s a knock on the door. I glance up, head cocked to the side.

“Uncle Ben?” Reece’s voice filters through. “It’s me.”

“Come in.”

I hear a click and then Reece eases her body into the room. She’s wearing her school uniform—a white polo with blue trim on the sleeves and a short navy skirt. Logan braided her hair again so now it lays in neat rows on top of her head.

“What’s up?” I ask, putting my tablet on the desk.

“Well,” she wrings her hands, “there’s some guy in the store talking to Logan. He brought his mother in to do her hair and he’s being real friendly. I just… thought you should know.”

What guy? Anthony?

I frown. Logan’s been texting him on and off for a month, but I never thought it would lead to anything serious. She didn’t seem that interested in him. Was I wrong?

I school my features so Reece can’t read my thoughts. “Why would you tell me that? It’s none of my business who Logan talks to.”

“That’s it? That’s all you have to say?”

I shrug.

“Fine. Sorry for bringing it up.” She turns toward the door.

“Reece.”

“Yes, Uncle Ben.”

I round the desk and kneel in front of her, taking her hand gently so she looks at me. “You know Logan and I are just friends.”

“Why?”

Unprepared for her question, I pause. “Why?”

“You’re so great together. You both love me. So why can’t you love each other?”

I run a hand over the back of my neck. “It’s more complicated than that.”

“Daddy said the same thing.” Reece yanks her hand out of mine and stomps her little feet. “What’s wrong with Logan? What about her do you both find so complicated?”

I lean back, soaking in her words. Slowly, I ask—“Reece, did your dad have feelings for Logan?”

“Yes.”

It’s like I got punched in the gut. I’ve always suspected, but to hear a confirmation like that…

So Harry really was into Logan.

“He wouldn’t admit it though. Not even to me. I overheard him one night talking with Miss Lydia. He said Logan was beautiful, but that she deserved someone better than him.”

Reece and I snort in tandem.

“Who’s better than Harry?”

She smiles bravely. “You’re not so bad, Uncle Ben.”

“No one can compare to your dad, kiddo. I won’t even try.” I squeeze her shoulder and then open the door. “Alright. Let’s go see what this guy’s deal is.”

Reece brightens. “Yay!”

I take her hand and we walk down the hallway into the brightly lit salon. The women in the styling chairs stare at me with confused expressions. I’m used to the looks by now so I block them out and head straight over to Logan.

She’s standing next to a tall man who looks as out of place as I do. He notices me coming and for a brief, static moment, his expression shifts to pure relief. When Logan smiles brightly at me, however, that expression shifts again.

“Ben!” Logan takes a step toward me. “What are you doing out here?”

“Just checking up on things.” I look pointedly at the man standing behind her.

“Oh.” Logan turns and beckons him forward. “This is Anthony. Anthony, this is Reece’s uncle.”

“Hey.” Anthony shakes my hand. His grip is firm. Bordering on painful. I squeeze his palm harder in retribution. He winces.

“Aren’t you gonna let go?” Reece whispers to me.

I break off first and chuckle. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

“Likewise.” Anthony’s voice is deeper than an empty oil barrel. Geez. Is he Morgan Freeman’s long-lost Caribbean love child? Anthony grins, revealing a row of brilliantly shining teeth. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Ben.”

“All good things, I assume.” I arch an eyebrow at Logan.

She looks away. “As you can see, everything is good out here. Why don’t you return to the office?”

“Are you ready to go home?” I ask, ignoring her obvious attempt to brush me off.

Anthony lifts his chin and slips one hand into his pocket. The light catches in the buckles of his fancy silver watch. It’s expensive. I know because Dad owns one just like it. “Logan’s already got a ride. I’ll take her home.”

“What now?” Reece yells.

I chuck my chin toward the counter, a clear instruction for Reece to beat it. She scrunches her nose but dutifully disappears.

“What my niece meant to say is there’s no need for that. We’re all going to the same place anyway.”

“Ben,” Logan hisses.

“What?” I mouth.

Anthony’s lips twitch. “Do you guys live in the same neighborhood?”

“No, man. The same house.”

“That’s enough.” Logan links elbows with me and pulls me away. “There’s something I need to get from the office so I’ll escort you back there. Anthony, it was great seeing you. Don’t worry about your mother. We’ll take good care of her.”

“Yeah.” Still blinking like a man in a daze, Anthony turns on his heels and heads for the door.

I pump my fist in victory. Unfortunately, Logan catches me and sears me with a look so scathing, my arm shrivels from the heat.

“What exactly are you doing?”

I follow her down the corridor. “Getting to know your customers.”

“You gave Anthony the impression we were living together.” She shoves the office door open and hauls me in. “Want to explain why?”

“Not particularly.”

Her glare darkens.

“It was Reece.” I rat my niece out. “She made me do it.”

“Why would Reece care about whether or not I’m talking to Anthony. Unless…” She chews her bottom lip.

“Unless…?” I prompt, suddenly taken by the sight of her plump lips between her teeth. Her lipstick is a rich pinkish purple. It suits her dark brown skin like it was made for her. For the hundredth time, I wonder how soft Logan’s lips would feel against mine.

Logan claps, snapping me out of my trance. “Is she afraid I’ll start dating Anthony, eventually marry him and move out of the house?”

“What?”

“That’s it, isn’t it?” Logan grins like she’s pleased with herself for figuring things out. “She’s already lost her father. She doesn’t want any more things to change.”

“Wait.” I step toward her. “Is there a possibility that you and Anthony might start dating?”

“I’m going out with him Friday night.”

Horror envelops me. “You can’t.”

“Why?”

My gaze darts about as I look for something to say. “Reece wanted to go bowling Friday.”

“She didn’t tell me anything,” Logan muses.

“Well, now you know.”

“We’ll just have to reschedule.” Logan tosses her hair over her shoulder. It’s back to being silky straight. I prefer her natural hair, but this style is nice too. “I’ve already promised Anthony. I can’t go back on my word.”

“Why not?”

She laughs. “Because I’m a woman of principle. And… his mother was right there. I can’t flake when he’s related to one of my customers.”

“That’s not a sound argument.” I walk closer to her. She stands her ground, but her nose flares slightly and her fingers dig into the rim of the desk. I surround her cheeks with my palms and lean closer. “You like that guy?”

Her tongue darts out to wet her lips, drawing my gaze there. Tempting me. “Does it matter? I don’t have a line of guys knocking down my door.”

I have the sudden urge to kiss her. Prove her wrong. But it’s not like I have a good reason to keep her from dating. We’re not together. We live in the same house. We take care of the same kid. But that means nothing.

It’s Harry’s house.

Harry’s kid.

Harry’s woman.

I drop my hands and turn away. “I guess Reece and I can survive one night without you.”