Turning slowly, my eyes connected with Logan’s. Damn it, definitely not a troll.
“Hello, sweetheart.”
As expected, there was that smirk that made my insides shudder and quake. His eyes raked over my body, ignoring the aggressive glare on my face.
“I’m not your sweetheart,” I scoffed.
The corner of his lips turned up even farther as he sipped his drink. Scotch from the look and smell of it. Too close.
I stepped back.
“Do you mind not hanging out behind me?” My tone was harsh, just the way it sounded in my head, thankfully. I was not going to fall into his charm and let him watch me get all flustered. He had plenty of other girls to put on that show for him. I tucked my arms across my chest waiting for him to move anywhere but directly behind me.
My brows rose waiting, but instead he leaned into me, placing his empty hand on my shoulder.
My breath caught when his thumb rubbed small circles into my blazer. Thank God I wore that. His breath was again caressing the lobe of my ear, his stubble so close it nearly brushed against my cheek. He totally knew what he was doing to me. Damn him!
“But it’s so lovely back here,” he murmured, his voice gruff, “sweetheart.”
Before I could retort or slug him, he was turning and walking away.
I took a deep breath and turned my attention back to Hilary who was now standing in front of Caleb talking, oblivious to my interaction with Logan.
“Second-grade teacher, really?” Caleb said to Hilary. “Lucky kids.”
Hilary blushed, looking down at her drink. “I have to admit I was surprised to hear you were back in town, and that you bought this place.”
“Wasn’t my plan, to be honest. This place ended up in my hands and I decided why not go back to my roots for a while.” He smiled.
“So you won’t be staying long?”
“You never know. I was thinking about finding a good manager to take care of things here while I traveled, but then again I might find a reason to hang around a while.”
“There’s not really much in Harmony worth sticking around for.” She frowned, oblivious to his deeper meaning and hungry eyes.
Caleb chuckled. “I have a feeling Harmony has a lot to offer this time around.”
Hilary looked up meeting his eyes and I suddenly felt awkward staring.
I turned around, surveying the room, and found Logan at the bar ordering another drink. He wore the sexiest pair of black dress pants that hung low on his hips and the grey V-neck tee accentuated his muscles. His arms were not massive but enough to feel safe if they were wrapped around my—. I shook the thought away and choked down a giant gulp of the expensive wine I snatched off a passing tray.
Only Caleb would serve free wine that tasted this good. I drank the remnants of the liquid and handed it to yet another passing waiter a moment later. The wine alone was worth coming out for and would be my next reason to come back. Delicious.
“You should come with me,” Caleb said, catching my attention when I noticed Hilary standing motionless, not answering him.
The beginning of the conversation was lost on me so I had no clue what to say when her eyes flickered in my direction. I smiled, my shoulders rose and fell.
“Um…yeah. I would love that. I mean…if you want…um…” Hilary’s poise was slipping, time to retreat before she embarrassed herself.
“We should go say hi to some friends.” I slid my arm through hers. “Congratulations again, Caleb. I’m sure you’ll see us back often.”
I was certain Hilary would be a regular customer at the establishment when not at school.
“It was good seeing you again, dancing queen.” He chuckled and returned his gaze to Hilary, his expression soft. “I’ll be in touch with you soon.”
Hilary said nothing, only nodded with a giant grin as I pulled her away through to crowd.
She was freaking out on the inside—that much was evident—when we stopped at the end of the bar. I asked for two more glasses of wine, but quickly noticed she had yet to touch the one in her hand.
More for me.
Glancing around the room, I felt good. I rarely drank but there was something enticing about the unusual music, the crowded room full of smiling people, and Logan staring at me.
Logan was staring at me!
I whipped my head down and focused on the surface of the bar in front of me. Caleb really did do a good job with the renovations. I snuck a quick glance and found Logan with his usual smirk, eyes still locked on me.
Shooting him an annoyed glare, he only laughed.
“Can you believe it?” Hilary asked.
“Hmm?” Had she said something?
“Caleb invited me to go see the end of summer parade with him next weekend.”
She was beaming and I couldn’t help but smile. She deserved happiness and ever since we were kids, the only time she lit up like that was when Caleb came around.
I sometimes wondered if that was the reason she always liked hanging out at my house. Her home was a lot more fun. My dad was long gone and my mother was a workaholic. What was fun about that?
“I think he has a thing for you,”
I rolled my eyes when I realized she was staring at Logan.
Always the hopeful romantic.
“Not happening,” I snorted. Where were our drinks?
“Come on, he’s cute, single and lives a few steps away from you. Why not just take a chance?”
“The list is too long,” I muttered.
Hilary gave up and dropped the subject, turning away to talk with old friends we went to school with, I chanced another—this time subtle—glance in Logan’s direction.
Instantly I regretted it. He was no longer looking my way wearing the mysterious smirk I secretly adored, instead I found him leaning against the bar captivated by the familiar raven-haired woman in front of him.
My head dropped down and I struggled to find my next breath as my stomach began filling with angry fireflies, burning to get out. I snatched the glass from Hilary’s hand and swallowed it with one loud gulp.
“You all right?” She laughed, surprised by my actions.
We’d been friends since we were still in diapers. Whatever she saw on my face caused hers to contort in nearly as much panic as I was feeling.
She turned to see what could have upset me, forehead marred with worry lines.
“Cassandra.” Her voice was full of the one thing I despised—pity—when she spotted Mackenzie pawing at Logan.
I shoved past everyone in my way. I needed to get out of there. I felt like a caged animal ready to tear apart anyone that got in my way.
The sight of Mackenzie was infuriating. It had absolutely nothing to do with the fact she was running her skanky claws up Logan’s arm.
No, that had nothing at all to do with it.
My manic wave through the crowd caused me to bump into a man who then stumbled back and bumped into—of all people—Mackenzie, shoving her right into Logan’s open arms.
Perfect. I just helped her out.
Logan looked up at me with quizzical eyes but all I could do was keep moving.
The moment I stepped outside, the warm night air filled my lungs and finally I could breathe.
“I’ll drive,” Hilary said, appearing out of nowhere.
I didn’t argue, only pulled out my keys and tossed them in her direction.