“Do you have a minute, Richard?”

His head lifts from the file in his hands, and he smiles while removing his glasses.

“Of course. What can I do for you?” he asks.

Stepping into his office, I take a seat in one of the chairs stationed in front of his large wooden desk. I promised Logan I would finally talk to his uncle about what was going on. I have spent the day a ball of nerves waiting for the right moment to approach Richard. Today, like a typical Monday, has been nothing short of hectic. The day was coming to an end, so this was my chance.

“Jane isn’t just visiting me,” I begin. “Well, not exactly.”

“Go on,” he says, wearing a worried expression.

“One night, I received a cryptic message from my sister to come get Jane. She said she couldn’t do it and to tell her she loved her. It’s nothing out of the ordinary for me to keep her, and Lynne has a tendency to be dramatic, but I haven’t heard from her since that night. I keep trying to call and get nothing. She hasn’t even returned my messages. She hasn’t once called to check on her daughter. I don’t know what is going on, but I’m concerned.”

For some reason, I avoid telling him where we found Jane, and luckily, he doesn’t press for more information regarding that.

“Do you think something happened, or that your sister may be in some kind of trouble?”

I want to laugh when he asks the question because Lynne always finds trouble. She has since she was a little girl, but it is hard for me to imagine her doing something to keep her away from her daughter.

“Lynne and I don’t come from the greatest upbringing. I have always been repulsed by the things around us, but while I left and never looked back, my sister stayed. I know she’s made several bad decisions along the way, but I don’t know what could have happened for her to leave Jane.”

“Is there anyone else you know of who may be in contact with her? Friend or family?”

When I consider the question, I realize I don’t know all that much about my sister’s life. We never discuss her friends or what she has been up to. Mostly, I am too afraid to ask, and my first questions tend to be about whether she has a job and how everything is with Jane.

“I don’t know much about her friends. She bounces back and forth between houses but stays with our mother the majority of the time.”

“Have you reached out to your mother since Lynn took off to see if she has heard from her or knows anything?”

“No,” I answer immediately. “We are estranged and haven’t spoken in quite some time. Besides, even if she knows anything, she wouldn’t tell me.”

Richard sits back in his chair, nodding his head as he processes the information.

I always hate telling people about my family because, most of the time, you can see the judgment in their eyes. They automatically assume you are no different from the rest of them.

With Richard, there is no sort of judgment in his eyes, much like when I told Tanner and Logan. My nerves begin to settle when I realize he isn’t going to fire me for having a messed up family.

“Okay, give me some time to look into everything. But, Brenna, I have to ask. Are you prepared to accept the job of being Jane’s guardian if it comes down to that?”

“Absolutely,” I respond without a single moment of hesitation.

“I’m happy you came to me with this. Give me a day or so and we will sit back down and go over everything I have at that point.”

“Thank you so much, Richard. Just let me know what I owe you.”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “I’m not going to charge you, Brenna.”

“Richard, I know how valuable your time is, and I can’t be taking it up with something so menial and not pay for it.”

I have put together invoices for his clients, so I know the amount he charges per hour, but I couldn’t expect him to do anything for me free of charge. I wouldn’t have the easiest time paying his fee, but I would never expect him to work free of charge.

“Nonsense. I would never take your money.” He looks down at his watch. “Listen, the day is just about over. Why don’t you pack up and go on home?”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind staying.”

“No. Get out of here and enjoy your evening,” he says, waving me off.

“Okay. Thank you again, Richard.”

We both stand from our chairs, and Richard walks me to his door.

“My wife wants to have a big family dinner this weekend. I’m going to call the boys tonight and inform them, but we would really like for you and Jane to come as well. Ruthie would really love to meet you, and I can’t wait to meet the little girl who my grandson can’t stop talking about.”

“Sounds great,” I say, but inside, I’m not feeling the same.

“See you tomorrow, Brenna.”

Walking to my desk, I shut down the computer and grab my purse before heading out.

Old habits die hard, and I still get nervous about not being good enough and not fitting in. It’s a feeling I have been dealing with my entire life, and that was before I started hanging out with people who had more money than I could ever imagine.

From everything I have heard about Ruth, she sounds lovely and just as kind as the rest of them. But I still can’t shake the feeling that I am way out of my league.

---

After I pick up Jane from Gabby’s, we drive to my apartment, and as usual, she talks the entire way about how she spent every minute of the day. It still amazes me that she hasn’t really asked about her mother or when she will be back to get her.

A huge weight has been lifted off me since speaking with Richard today, but at the same time, I worry about what the future holds. It also left me wondering about my mother and if she has any idea what is going on. I would like to think she misses her granddaughter, but I also remember the woman she is. Selfish and only thinking of herself.

After fishing my keys out of the overstuffed purse slung over my shoulder, I push the door open and usher Jane inside. She takes off to the kitchen on the hunt for tape so she can hang the pictures she colored for me today.

My phone beeps from my bag, and after digging around in the mess, I decide it’s time to get a smaller purse. There is a new message from Logan but also a missed call from an unknown number that must have come through during our drive home. With no waiting voicemail, I forget about the missed call and open Logan’s message.

Logan: What are my two favorite ladies doing?

Just walked in the door. Are you still working?

Logan: Finishing up right now. Would you be interested in having dinner in the park?

There might be a slight interest …

Logan: Slight? Hah! Meet me at my place and I will pick up food on my way home. We can walk to the park.

Sounds good. We will see you in a few.

Logan: I love you.

I love you, too.

Jane is over the moon when she finds out we are going to have a picnic in the park; so much so that she rushes me out the door. Pulling into Logan’s drive, I realize I had set my phone down on the kitchen counter and forgot to grab it on our way out.

Unbuckling Jane from her car seat, we walk up to his door where she proceeds to press his doorbell four times. We are met with silence, and it’s obvious that Logan isn’t home yet. I take a seat on the steps and watch Jane dance around with only the music in her head. It never ceases to amaze me how well she can entertain herself and the imagination she has in that adorable little head of hers.

Luckily, it isn’t too long before the Range Rover pulls into the drive and the garage door opens. Jane begins jumping around, and I have to remind her to stay with me until Logan has parked and shut the car off. The minute she hears the engine die, she is loose from my hold and dashing into the garage after Logan.

“I hope you weren’t waiting too long. Traffic was a mess.” Logan steps out of the garage with Jane in one arm and takeout bags in the other.

“No, we haven’t.”

“Are we going to the park now?” Jane asks.

“If you can spare two minutes for me to change into some regular clothes, we can be on our way, sweet girl.”

She claps her hands together and nods.

The weather is beautiful this evening, making our dinner in the park thoroughly enjoyable. When Jane finishes her food, she takes off for the playground area just a few yards away.

“How did today go?” Logan asks as I collect the takeout containers and stack them back in the bags.

I know he is referring to my talk with his uncle, and I am surprised it took him this long to ask about it.

“It went well. He is going to look into it, and we will go from there. The embarrassment never eases each time I explain the stories of my childhood or how my sister disappeared and left her daughter behind.”

Wrapping his hand around my wrist, he gives a gentle tug and pulls me back down on the bench beside him.

“No one holds that against you. The choices made by your parents are not something you had any control over. Even your sister; her decisions are not yours. And I think it’s pretty damn admirable how you stepped up for Jane without any thought or questions. I was there that night for the entire thing. You never blinked or hesitated when it came to jumping into action. Jane’s really fortunate to have someone like you on her side.”

His sweet words hit me hard, and I know he is right. I only wish I’d had someone on my side, prepared to fight for me when I was younger.

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me, babe,” he says, pressing a kiss to my temple. “I am only speaking the truth.”

Logan wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me to his side. We sit at the table watching Jane and another little girl running around the wooden play area.

Once the sun begins to set, I call out to Jane and wave her back toward us. She waves to her new friend before dashing over.

“My legs are so tired. Do we really have to walk back?” Jane whines before we have even exited the park.

“Yes, sweetie,” I respond, looking down at her pitiful pout.

“Need a lift?” Logan asks, earning a rapid head nod from Jane. Picking her up, he lifts her over his head and sets her down on his shoulders. “How’s the view from up there?”

“It’s so cool!” she exclaims.

After tucking my hand into the crease of Logan’s elbow, we continue our walk back to his house. I have to continuously remind Jane to stay still on his shoulders before she tumbles to the ground, but Logan assures me that he wouldn’t let that happen. Sometimes I feel like such a worrywart when it comes to Jane.

Turning the corner into his driveway, I am surprised to see another car parked next to mine. Of course, the BMW is worth probably twice as much as my car. Logan’s step falters when he notices the car, and a deep scowl develops on his face.

Before I can ask what is wrong, the driver’s door opens and stilettos followed by the longest pair of legs I have ever seen exit the car. Standing tall, she turns to face us, and I can’t believe I had forgotten how beautiful his ex-fiancée is.

Logan digs in his pocket and hands me his keys. “Take Jane inside and I will be right there.”

I stare at him in confusion but grudgingly take the keys. Lifting Jane back over his head, he passes her off to me and guides us around Melody with his hand on my lower back. When we reach the door, he kisses my head before retreating to the driveway.

“Who is that lady?” Jane asks as I insert and twist the key.

“A friend of Logan’s.”

Setting her down in the entryway, she skips off in search of her puzzles. As I am closing the doors, I hear words that stop me in my tracks.

“I didn’t realize this was the time of year when you began your charity work,” Melody says loud enough that it’s obvious her goal was for me to hear.

“What are you doing here, Melody?”

I stand just on the other side of the cracked door, eavesdropping on their conversation and not feeling the slightest bit guilty.

“We didn’t finish our conversation at lunch, so I wanted to stop by, hoping we could talk.”

I get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach when I hear they shared lunch and he never mentioned it. Thoughts begin to run wild within my head, imagining the two of them reuniting, leaving not only me but also Jane in the dust. Maybe all this was too good to be true after all. Were the words he spoke to me last weekend just a lie? I should have known better than to get too comfortable with Logan.

Having the urge to flee, I think of the best way to grab Jane and get to my car without Logan and Melody seeing. But with her car parked tragically next to mine, that would be impossible. My face warms, and my head is confused as to whether we are sad or pissed about what is going on. Tears build, but I refuse to allow them to fall and show my weakness. Being with Logan, loving him, has made me weak.

I lose track of how long I am standing here and have tuned out the voices coming from outside because my mind is consumed by thoughts of betrayal.

The door bumps into my back, and I snap out of it, realizing Logan is coming into the house and I am busted.

“Hey, are you all right?” he asks, searching my face.

“Uh … yeah. I was just coming to tell you that we have to go,” I lie.

I turn to go get Jane, but he grabs my hand, pulling me back to him.

“Don’t let that get to you,” he says, pointing behind him.

“I’m not. It’s getting late, and Jane still needs a bath, and I’m tired. Everything is fine.”

“No, it’s not,” he argues. “I’m not an idiot, Brenna. I can tell something is bothering you, and you leaving mad will not bode well for me.” He smiles, trying to make light of my mood, but nothing about the knots in my stomach is funny.

“I don’t want to be that girl, Logan,” I say, attempting to keep my tone neutral.

“What girl?” His brows furrow in confusion.

“The girl played for a fool. The one who is too wrapped up in her blissful happiness to realize the rug is being pulled from beneath her feet until it’s too late. I prefer to do the leaving before I get left.”

“I would never play you for a fool. I thought I have been clear on my feelings for you, but maybe not. I love you, Brenna. I’m so fucking crazy about you that I fear what will become of me if you ever vanished from my life. Do you not see that you have the power to destroy me?” He takes a step closer, his hands cradling my face. “I could never hurt you because that would be like injuring myself. Why would you think that?”

His words fill my heart, but still, it does nothing to diminish the doubt floating around in my head. He and Melody are from the same lifestyle, and I hate that it will always be a thought in the back of my head. They have so much more in common. Not to mention, they have a history. Major history.

Resting his forehead against mine, he whispers softly, “Please, don’t let her come between us. You are the one I want to be with, Brenna. You. We haven’t spoken much since I ended our engagement, and I told her that coming here was inappropriate.”

“Did you have lunch with her today?” I ask, pulling out of his grasp.

He raises his hands in defense, shaking his head. “Not like that. I had a business lunch, and she happened to be at the same restaurant and approached me. I told her then the same as I did outside; we have nothing to discuss.” His tone is pleading with me, and his eyes are sincere.

My head bobs up and down. “I believe you,” I say, and it’s the truth. For some reason, I don’t sense that he’s lying. “But I really have to go.”

“Not like this. Please, don’t leave like this, Brenna,” he begs, reaching out for me.

“BrennBrenn!” Jane calls out from the living room, saving me from the intense depths of Logan’s navy eyes.

Without another word, I turn away from him and head in the direction of my niece. I find her lying on her stomach, feet swinging in the air, surrounded by four completed puzzles spread out on the hardwood floor.

“Wow, good job, Jane,” I say, squatting down next to her. “How about I help you clean this up, and then we head home? It’s getting close to bedtime, and you still need a bath.”

“Will you read me a story before bed?” she asks as she takes apart the puzzle pieces and places them back in their boxes.

“Maybe even two.”

She smiles wide, and we finish getting the floor cleaned up and put the boxes back where they go. She skips through the house in search for Logan, and I follow close behind. We find him in the kitchen, both hands braced on the sink as he stares out the window, his back muscles tense.

“Oh, Logan,” Jane sings as she bounces up to him.

When he turns around, his sad eyes meet mine briefly, but his expression changes when he looks down at Jane.

“Thanks for coming on the picnic with me,” he says, lifting her in his arms.

“I love the park.”

“I could tell.” He laughs. “How about I walk you out?” He looks at me for approval, and I nod my head.

Leading the way out of the house, I unlock my car doors and open the back for him to put Jane in her car seat. I start the car and turn on Jane’s favorite playlist.

“Sleep good, sweet girl.” He kisses the top of her head after he secures her into the seat. “See you soon.”

“Bye, Logan!” she exclaims right before he closes her door and approaches me.

“Are we okay?” he asks.

Pressing my hands against his chest, I lean up on my toes and kiss his full lips. “Yeah, we are,” I say with as much confidence as I can muster, even if it’s not quite the whole truth. I hate the doubt I feel inside, and I don’t know how to eliminate it.

Doubt in him.

Doubt in myself.

Doubt in us.

His hands grip my waist, pulling me tight against his body, and he takes my lips in a heated kiss. The way he expertly works my mouth puts me in such a daze that I momentarily forget about any doubt I had been feeling. Ending the kiss all too soon for my liking, he sucks on my lower lip before pulling away.

“I like that look on you better,” he says, looking proud of himself.

“What look?” I can feel a warmth spread from my chest to my face and begin to feel more at ease. How can I question the feelings and motives of a man who kisses me like that?

Instead of answering, he just winks, and I can’t stop the smile that spreads my swollen lips.

“Thank you for dinner.”

“Anytime, babe. Let me know when you girls make it home.”

“I will.”

“I love you,” he says, bringing his lips back to mine.

“I love you, too.”

He opens my car door and says another goodbye to Jane. She’s too busy singing along to her music to bother responding, but she waves her hand animatedly at him. I laugh at her antics and kiss him one last time before he steps back and closes my door.

Unfortunately as I pull out of his driveway, the feeling of peace and contentment slowly begins to deplete the farther I get away from Logan, allowing the doubt to creep back in.