Tuesday morning, Richard greeted me when I entered the doors of The Welch Law Firm. April had started calling yesterday morning before the sun came up wanting to know if I could work at the law firm. I lied to her and said it conflicted with my other job, but in reality, I had drunk a bottle of wine after leaving Bethany’s, trying to make sense of Logan. Needless to say, the only progress I made was polishing off the entire bottle in record time.

April called again last night as I was heading home from work to tell me Richard was desperate and willing to offer more money. After informing me that was unheard of for someone to do, she said he must really like me.

“Brenna, thank God you’re back. Yesterday was terrible. The girl they sent couldn’t get anything right all day.”

“I’m sure it wasn’t that bad.” I laugh, thinking the work hadn’t been that hard last week.

“It’s true. I was waiting around all day for files involving a top priority case I’m working on, and right before the end of the day, I come up front and find them sitting on her desk where they had been since being delivered that morning at ten. And that was just the beginning of our issues.”

My jaw drops as he goes on about the mishaps of the day before. April has told me in the past of their constant revolving door of employees because no one wants to put the effort in their work. People just seem to have become lazy these days, but I have always taken pride in everything I do. Growing up, I knew I wanted to make more out of my life than my mother and those around me. I worked extra hard in school and picked up any job I could in order to save money and plan my escape. Even now, I work two jobs so I can pay all my bills and continue building my savings.

I spent the first part of the day sorting through the files on the desk and connecting all incoming calls to their proper extensions. Everyone in the office seems to be extremely happy to have me back today, and some even murmured complaints about the girl from yesterday. I find it flattering to hear how much they appreciated me after only working here for one day.

There has still been no word from Lynne, which shouldn’t come as a surprise to me. I almost broke down last night and called my mother just to check on things but then thought better of it. We haven’t spoken in a couple of years, and it’s better kept that way.

Pushing send on the email I just typed for Richard, I look up when I hear the bell above the door, expecting to greet a delivery person or client. Instead, Logan is standing in front of my desk. How do I go from never seeing him to finding him around every corner I turn?

“I didn’t expect you to be here.” He shifts on his feet with his hand shoved in his pants pocket, looking uneasy but still painfully handsome. His facial hair has grown in more since our last encounter, and my fingers itch to touch it.

“I’m just filling in. How can I help you?” I ask, keeping my voice neutral. He doesn’t need to know how much seeing him is affecting me now, and he definitely doesn’t need to know how he left me panting like a dog on Saturday, wanting nothing more than to have his hands on me again.

He steps closer, relaxing just slightly. “I’m here to see Richard.”

I open the calendar on the computer, and not seeing his name down, I ask, “Do you have an appointment?”

Instead of answering, he smiles over my shoulder, and even though it isn’t directed at me, it affects me just the same.

“Logan, you’re early.” Richard walks around the front of the desk and embraces Logan in a manly hug slash back slap.

“I finished my business quicker than expected.”

“Have you met Brenna? She has been a lifesaver around here.”

Logan turns and smiles at me before answering. “Yes, we actually already know each other. Are you ready for lunch?”

“I had a big case come in today, and I’m backed up, so I was just about to call you and reschedule.” Richard looks genuinely upset to be missing out on their lunch, and I know how swamped he has been since this morning.

“Let me know when things slow down. You work too hard, Uncle Richard.”

Uncle?

“Now you sound like your aunt. Listen, you came all this way, so why don’t you let Brenna fill in for me?”

Logan’s gaze darts to me in surprise, as though he has forgotten I am still sitting here, before looking back to his uncle.

“That’s not necessary,” I protest, not wanting to deal with Logan’s mood swings today.

“Nonsense. You have been hard at work today and need a break.”

“I’m sure Logan has other things to do. Besides, I brought my lunch today.”

Something changes in Logan’s demeanor and even his posture relaxes. “I don’t mind. We already have reservations at The Bistro. I wouldn’t want them to go to waste.”

The Bistro certainly sounds better than the ham sandwich and bag of potato chips I brought today, but I can’t help but wonder if maybe Logan is medicated because his mood sure has some highs and lows.

“Perfect,” Richard says, patting Logan’s back. “It’s settled then. Tell them to put it on my account, Logan.”

He nods. “I’ll have her back in an hour.”

“Take your time.” Richard waves him off. “Do me a favor and talk up your favorite uncle. I’m trying to get Miss Brenna to continue helping me out.”

“I’ll do my best.” He laughs, saying goodbye to Richard.

When it is just the two of us, I start to feel uncomfortable and begin to think of ways to get out of this impending lunch. What if he has another asshole moment and I am stuck with him at a restaurant? And what will Richard think when he learns I am beginning to dislike his nephew?

“Shall we?” Logan asks, tapping on the desk to get my attention.

“You really don’t have to do this,” I say, trying to give him an out, knowing this isn’t how he planned to spend his afternoon.

“I want to.” I am surprised by the sincerity in his voice and eyes.

One thing I have learned recently is Logan’s mood always reflects in his eyes. I have become pretty good at reading him just from looking into them, but it’s also extremely easy to lose myself in their depths.

Reluctantly, I pull my bag from the drawer and follow him to the door, which he holds open like a gentleman. The streets of downtown stay busy, and parking is usually always an issue. Richard gave me a pass for the garage at the end of our block so I don’t have to fight for spots in the public lots. It surprises me when Logan escorts me to a black Range Rover parked on the street in front of the law firm.

“Wow, how did you manage to score this spot?” I ask, knowing how rare it is for there to be open street parking.

“Must be my lucky day.” He rests his hand on my lower back, guiding me to the opened passenger door.

Our ride to The Bistro remains quiet until Logan gets a phone call. He apologizes before taking it, and I turn my attention to the window, not wanting to eavesdrop on any more of his conversations. His call lasts the entire ride, and he uses an excuse of a meeting to get off the line. From the pieces I did overhear, I can only assume it was a work-related call.

The valet opens my door, and Logan meets me on the sidewalk, discreetly passing the younger guy money and picking up his ticket. His hand returns to the small of my back as we enter the restaurant and doesn’t leave until we are seated at the table. I enjoy being around this side of Logan, and I can only hope the other side doesn’t rear his ugly head.

“So how long have you been working with my uncle?” Logan asks after we place our lunch orders.

“Actually, I have only been there today and Friday. I pick up jobs occasionally through a temp agency between my nights at the bar.”

“Sounds like you are wanted more full time. Are you not interested in that?”

“The offer was unexpected. It would be impossible to do both jobs, and I enjoy my nights working at Déjà vu. Ian took a chance on me when I first applied for the job, and I feel loyalty toward him.” I take a sip of my ice water, and Logan’s eyes follow, watching my lips wrap around the straw.

He looks away and clears his throat. “I know Ian would appreciate your loyalty and hate to lose you, but he would understand.”

“So Richard is your uncle?” I ask, needing the subject change. I have stressed myself out enough thinking about Richard’s offer.

“Yes, my mom’s brother. He and my aunt Ruth practically raised us. Uncle Richard has always been more of a father to me than my own.” I can hear the love in his voice as he talks about his aunt and uncle.

Tanner had given me a brief rundown of their family, so I knew they didn’t see much of their dad and had lost their mom when they were young. I am happy they have their aunt and uncle because it’s tough when you are forced to grow up on your own.

“It has been a pleasure working for him, and I am giving thought to going to full time for him until Rita returns.”

“Brenna,” he says my name almost in a plea, but before he can finish, our lunch is delivered, leaving Logan looking relieved.

We spend the rest of the time enjoying our meals with light conversation about the upcoming rainstorm. The time flies by, and I am pleasantly surprised with how well our lunch has gone and am almost afraid to jinx it.

When he pulls back up to the law firm, he snags another spot on the street with his apparent good luck. Looking at the clock, I am shocked to see not even a full hour has passed since we left, which is good because I don’t want to take advantage of Richard’s kindness.

“Thank you for lunch,” I say, reaching for the handle. “Although you were kind of forced into it.”

“I wasn’t.” Logan smiles, bringing my attention to his full lips. “Brenna,” he says, again, much like at the restaurant, and lays his hand on my arm. “I owe you an apology. I was inappropriate last time we were together, and I put you in a compromising situation. I don’t want you to think I’m the kind of guy who goes after his brother’s girl.”

“I’m not,” I say, this time loud enough I know he heard me.

“You’re not what?”

“Tanner’s girl. I never was. What made you think that?”

“The way he carries on with you at the bar, and then the day at the pool party; I figured you two were hooking up.”

I laugh, wishing we could have cleared this mess up a hell of a lot sooner. “That’s just become an ongoing joke with him. I assure you, nothing’s going on with me and Tanner.”

“You’ve never hooked up?” Looking into his dark blue eyes now, all I see is heat and want.

“Never.”

In a heartbeat, his hands fist my hair, pulling me closer, and he crashes his mouth to mine. I am too shocked to react at first, but it doesn’t take long before I give just as much as I am taking. In this one kiss, Logan has just officially ruined me for any future kisses. His lips and tongue have taken over full control, and it feels impossible for me to ever recover from him. He is making love to my mouth, and it leads me to wonder what the real thing would be like. He pulls away slowly, leaving slow kisses on my swollen lips.

“Go out with me.” It’s not a question.

“I just did,” I say, breathless as his forehead rests against mine.

He literally just kissed me breathless.

“Go out with me now that I’m not under the pretense you’re with my brother.”

“Okay.” I watch as his lips pull into a smile before pressing against mine again.

“I’ll call you.” Another kiss.

“Okay.”

His mouth touches against mine, and he swipes his tongue across my lips before pulling away completely.

“Bye, Brenna.”

“Bye.”

With my one-word answers, he may have also kissed me stupid. I quickly open the door and exit the car, putting much-needed distance between myself and the handsome devil. It isn’t until I am sitting back at my desk that I realize I never gave Logan my number.

Real smooth.

When Richard suggested I join Logan, I had been nervous and looking for a way out, but now, I couldn’t be more thankful for the time we had today. It’s insane to think how much changed during lunch or, at least, just now in his car.

When I return to the office, I find packages and files piled on my desk, so I jump right in. Stacking my arms full, I walk through the entire building, delivering each file or package to its rightful place. Thankfully, the phone has been rather quiet this afternoon, allowing me the chance to leave my desk.

Entering Richard’s office, he glances up from his computer with a smile on his face. Looking at him now, I see something in his eyes when he smiles that reminds me of Logan. He asks how lunch went, and I thank him, once again, for generously allowing me to go and covering the bill. Logan tried to pay for it, but apparently, Richard had planned ahead and called down to the restaurant.

The kindness he has shown me in the short time I have been here is making it extremely hard to turn down his offer. None of the other offices I have worked at have been as fulfilling as The Welch Law Firm. I was accepted on day one, even when no one thought I would return. I am in constant motion and have truly enjoyed the work. I guess it’s time to come to terms that the bar scene isn’t meant for someone nearing their thirties.

Sitting back at my desk, I pull my phone from my bag, hoping to have finally heard from my sister. I momentarily forget my disappointment when I read a message from an unknown number.

Unknown: I don’t have as much patience as I thought. Do you have plans tonight?

I laugh when I note the time—ten minutes after I clocked back in from lunch. As I consider my response, I decide to have a little fun with him.

Was last night not enough? I’m a little worn out.

The little bubble pops up, letting me know that he is typing, but then it quickly disappears. And again. Maybe I went a little far with that. I am about to send a haha when the device vibrates in my hand.

Logan: Brenna.

Kidding. How did you get my number so quickly?

Logan: Not funny. I have my ways. So tonight?

Tonight, I am yours.

Logan: Yes. You are. I’ll pick you up at seven. Text me your address.

Where are we going?

Logan: See you at seven.