Page 35 of Consuming Logan

Possibly, Ava thought, ignoring his brash comment. He looked to be in considerable pain.

“Thanks, Janna. We appreciate your help. Don’t we, Logan?” When he didn’t say anything, Ava nudged him with an elbow. “Be nice,” Ava whispered. “She’s our future babysitter.”

“Thanks,” he mumbled, sounding something other than grateful.

She nodded towards the sectional to their right. Logan glanced at the chocolate brown leather, pure nirvana reflected in his pain-hazed stare.

Just then Lina James Rice sauntered into the living room from the direction of the kitchen. “What did I miss?”

Logan craned his neck, surveying both her friends. “Is anybody else in this house who doesn’t pay the mortgage?”

“Logan,” Ava chided.

Lina arched a perfectly manicured brow, giving Ava and Logan a saucy smile. Her signature berry colored lips rarely sported a frown. She and Lina had been best friends since tin lunchboxes and Puma shell toes sneakers.

“Let’s see,” Lina mused, placing one hand on her full-figured hip. At five nine in her bare feet, Lina looked like a runaway model in her red stilettos boots and matching leggings. “Janna, Janna Junior, and little old me make three.”

Logan dropped to the couch. An airy whoosh sounded as his big body sagged into the cushions.

“Does your husband know where you are?” Logan asked.

“Of course. He gave me the key,” Lina beamed using two fingers to snap the fluorescent stretchy band on her wrist.

As a wedding gift, Lina’s husband and his four brothers, one being Janna’s husband, had custom designed the couple a thirty-five hundred square foot sprawling ranch style house in Avondale. Ian, Thane, Caleb, and Phoenix lived in Waverly Falls, West Virginia. The waterfront condo Lina’s former lover Troy Lawson had financed for her had been on the market for less than twenty-four hours before a buyer recognized the bargain and jumped at the offer. Her husband, Gideon, had been relieved.

“Keep up the witty banter, Lina. I’ll be right back.” Ava bustled into the kitchen. The open floor plan boasted a large center island with dual-inlayed sinks and swivel bar stools. Logan’s favorite spot, other than the bedroom, was here. It certainly was hers. The first time he had tasted her taut buds happened on that counter. Her breasts tingled at the memory.

“Hurry, sweetheart. Lina’s voice sounds very close to Charlie Brown’s teacher.”

Laughing, Ava grabbed what she needed from the overhead cabinets. “You are so extra right now, Logan Masters.”

Pretty soon she’d need cabinet locks and outlet covers. She should start a list of items to purchase before the baby arrived.

Ava joined Logan on the couch. Janna walked back into the room; her hands now empty. “Ignore her, Logan” she laughed, shaking her head.

Crossing the space, she sat in the recliner seat facing Logan’s monster one-hundred-inch projection screen. A startled Gemma Noelle shifted in her carrier, before she settled in sleep once more.

“Logan,” Janna said, stroking her little girl’s silky tresses. “Should I postpone this little one’s nine-month well-child visit?”

Ava knew Logan didn’t make it a habit of performing well child exams. Janna had asked him as a trusted friend. He’d agreed. Her man was more compassionate than he gave himself credit for. Ava marveled at how Janna had fallen in love with motherhood. The repeated kisses and coos were a dead giveaway. She doubted Janna was consciously aware of how much her tougher-than-a-warship personality had softened in the last year.

“Consider it done,” Logan said with a smile.

Before Dawson and the kids, Janna’s career advancement had been priority number one. Now, her family, Dawson, Gemma Noelle, and Jonah were the most precious treasures in her life. Ava hoped to role model her friend’s example of marriage, motherhood, and a military career with grace.

“Since you both broke into my house. I need a favor.” He gestured to the Second Chance House flyer on the coffee table. “There’s a kid at the Second Chance House named Thadeus.”

Janna’s green eyes sparkled with interest. “Oh yeah, I know the boy genius. He’s a whiz with his helping hand.”

Ava chimed in, “Yep. Thady and Logan are best buds. They took a selfie together at the end of the day.”

Lina grinned. “Sounds like somebody has a new play date.”

Logan’s eyes strayed heavenward. “Lina, tell your husband he violated the bro code. The Rice family’s access has been revoked.”

Ava’s friends were pretty resourceful. A scenario where Logan’s dictate was followed failed to materialize. No way would Lina surrender her only access to their refrigerator. Unlike Logan, Ava appreciated the benefits of having friends who loved her cooking. She could try new recipes and Logan never got nagged about eating leftovers. Win-win.

“Hmm, yeah,” Lina tsked, dropping the key down the front of her tank top. “That’s not going to happen.”