Page 66 of Tattered (Lark Cove 1)

I leaned forward, holding her gaze until our noses touched. Before I brushed my lips to hers, I licked her bottom lip and pressed my hips forward, letting her feel how much I wanted her. Thea’s mouth had just fallen open with a gasp when the back door burst open.

“The—Shit,” Hazel cussed. “Sorry.”

Thea ripped her lips from mine, turning her head to the side, then ducking under my arms to escape. She cleared her throat, grabbing two bowls and walking right to the door as she muttered, “I better get these outside.”

I took a few moments to get myself under control. Then I ran a hand over my lips before turning around to Hazel.

“Sorry.” She barked out a laugh. “Bad timing.”

“It’s okay.” I shrugged. “It’s probably not the best time to be kissing her anyway. Not with a bunch of party guests on their way.”

Hazel went to the sink and filled a glass of water as she scanned the backyard through the window. Thea was setting the snacks down outside on the tables.

“Come and sit.” Hazel motioned to the table so I followed her over, taking the seat with my back to the door. “This town is small and people like to gossip. After today, everyone in Lark Cove is going to know about you.”

“Is that a problem?”

“No. It’s an opportunity.”

I grinned, leaning my elbows on the table. “I’m listening.”

“Thea doesn’t have a ton of friends here in town. She spends her free time with Charlie, and she works at the bar. Not exactly a place to host play dates. She’s never been able to really connect with the other moms in town. They just don’t have anything in common except their kids.”

I wasn’t quite following how I fit into this, but I stayed quiet as Hazel slowly sipped her water before continuing.

“If you put Thea behind a bar, she can charm anyone on the other side. Hell, she could charm the lights off a Christmas tree. But the women in this town are cliquey and a bunch of them are coming here for the first time. I don’t want to see Thea uncomfortable at her own daughter’s birthday party.”

Neither do I. “I’ll make sure Thea has a good time today.”

We nodded at each other and I stood, going straight for the door. I wanted to find Thea and do whatever I could to keep a smile on her face.

I stepped onto the porch with a smile on my own.

It dropped as I watched Jackson kiss Thea.

Carrying two bowls of snacks, I hustled across the yard to the tables set up on the shoreline. I should be thinking about Charlie’s party, but my head was in a fog.

A Logan fog.

I’d almost kissed him. Again. Something I’d sworn after last night I wouldn’t do. Except I sure hadn’t put up much of a fight when he’d trapped me against the counter.

Goddamn it. Going for a walk last night had been a colossal mistake. What had I been thinking, barging into his hotel room? Why had I had sex with him?

Stupid question.

I’d been so happy to see him in Lark Cove that I’d acted purely on emotion, letting my immense relief, joy and desire lead the way. I’d kissed him because I had no other way to explain how much it meant to me that he’d kept his promise.

But now, the emotions were waning and worry had filled in the gaps.

What did Logan want from me? Was he looking for a fling? A long-distance relationship? I didn’t know how to ask him what he wanted because I didn’t want to tell him what I wanted.

Him.

I wanted him to stay in Lark Cove. To be a full-time father to Charlie. To explore this thing between us. I wanted that damn phone of his to stop ringing.

His job was demanding. I could support and respect his commitment to work. But Logan’s passion went well beyond career commitment. In the short time he’d been here, I’d discovered his only flaw.

Logan was a workaholic.