Page 42 of Tattered (Lark Cove 1)

I smiled, glad he wasn’t angry. “No. Only when it comes to Charlie. She’s all that matters.”

“As disappointed as I am, she’s a lucky girl to have such a good mom.”

My heart swelled. Since the moment I’d held the positive pregnancy test in my hand, all I’d wanted was the best for my baby. I was proud to admit that despite having no guidance from my own biological mother, I was a good mom. Still, it meant the world that Logan thought so too.

He took a long breath and ran a hand through his hair. “I think I’d better go.”

“I’ll text you the details for the soccer game.”

“Thanks. Good night.” With a wave, he strode out of my workshop and into the night.

I counted to twenty, then rushed to the door, peeking around the side to see him walking down the street.

My house was only five blocks from the motel, three from the bar. I’d noticed earlier that he hadn’t driven over, so as he walked down the sidewalk, I took a long look at him from behind.

No woman in the world would look at Logan and not think he was gorgeous. Add to that his charisma, and he was mouthwatering.

And he’d wanted to kiss me.

Six years ago, I hadn’t hesitated a second when he’d asked me to spend the night with him. I’d let him whisk me away to his hotel suite for the best sex of my life.

But the Thea from six years ago was still learning. She hadn’t given birth to a little girl who would become her entire life.

Charlie had given me unconditional love and a real family, two things I’d craved my entire life. But the most important thing she’d given me was confidence. Because of her, I demanded more from life and more than I’d been given as a child.

I demanded more, so I could give it to her.

The Thea from six years ago would have let Logan kiss her senseless tonight. She would have taken that kiss and locked it away, cherishing the memory when she was alone.

Present-day Thea wanted more than a memory. She wanted a man who would kiss her every morning. A man who would kiss her before falling asleep every night. She needed a man who would share in the life she’d worked hard to build in Lark Cove.

The man disappearing around the block—the one who lived a world away—wasn’t him.

I woke up the next morning with a hangover. After Logan had left my workshop, I’d gone down to the dock to watch the sunset. I’d stupidly taken my vodka along.

I’d powered through the headache and nausea, getting Charlie ready for her day at camp with Hazel. With a kiss good-bye, I’d sent her on her way, then walked to work.

On days like this, working in a bar was a curse. I gagged at the smell of stale beer and the sight of liquor bottles made my stomach roll. How did Jackson come here with a smile on his face after a long night of drinking? I needed to learn his tricks if I was going to keep having vodka-soaked conversations with Logan.

I spent the morning in my office, doing paperwork and paying bills. I slugged down coffee and aspirin, willing my head to stop pounding. When we opened at eleven, I went out to the bar, where I spent the first hour breathing through my mouth so I wouldn’t puke.

Finally, around three o’clock, after the lunch crowd had left me to an empty room and the regulars had yet to come in for the evening, I braved some food and a Coke. By the time Wayne and Ronny came in for their early evening beer, I was feeling human again.

Barel

y.

“Hey, guys.” I set down napkins in front of them both. “Same as usual?”

“Yep,” Wayne answered for them both.

“Are you feeling okay, Thea?” Ronny asked.

“No,” I confessed with a smile, then went to the taps to pour them each a red beer. “Too much vodka last night.”

Wayne chuckled. “That’ll do it.”

“Can I get you some aspirin?” Ronny asked.