Page 55 of Bittersweet

He wasn’t sure how to answer this one, because he hadn’t told her he was more serious than he let on when he mentioned going back to Detroit. “We’ll have to make those plans once she’s out. I know she’ll want to see Kayla right away.”

Harper’s head moved in a nod against his chest.

“I’m worried how Kayla will react.”

“I think she’ll be fine, Logan. Look how quickly she warmed up to me. She’ll do the same with her mom.”

“I don’t know.”

Harper squeezed her arms around him tighter then leaned in to press a soft kiss to his lips.

He let her kiss him, knowing it was her way of trying to comfort him.

They lay in silence for several minutes, holding each other, until he heard Harper’s breathing turn slow and steady as she drifted off.

He felt guilty for not telling her the whole story. She didn’t know the extent of the damage to the food truck, that he probably wouldn’t be able to afford to fix it, or that he would probably have to find some other kind of work, probably some work with Gary’s construction company near Detroit. He hadn’t told her, because he was terrified of losing her. He promised he’d never leave her again, and he feared that’s how she would see it.

21

The aroma of bacon and eggs awakened Harper from a deep sleep. She reached across her bed and was disappointed to find it empty. She could’ve sworn she felt little circles being traced on her back and fingertips caressing the skin along her waist where her shirt had ridden up. She was sure she hadn’t dreamed that. Frowning, she sat up and stretched her arms over her head. She’d been hoping to wake up in Logan’s arms, but she was all alone.

Her mind returned to last night, and the butterflies flitted around in her stomach, remembering the moment he said he loved her. She’d fantasized about them getting back together plenty of times, but the reality was way better than her dreams.

A little embarrassment niggled its way in as she remembered the way she’d tried to move their physical relationship into new territory. Logically, she knew she didn’t have to give herself to Logan in that way to prove her love, but the conversation they’d had in the hallway, along with her insecurities over the fact that he had a daughter with another woman, had caused her to act before she really thought about what she was doing. She’d been so anxious to convince him that she was his—now and forever.

But he’d been right. She wanted a forever commitment. She wanted their first time to be as husband and wife. It’s what she’d always wanted. And she loved him even more for not giving in to her temporary lapse in judgment.

Harper rolled out of bed and wandered out of her room and into the kitchen.

Logan glanced up at her. “Good morning, beautiful.”

“Good morning.” Her voice was groggy from sleep, and she wandered up behind him and slid her arms around his stomach, resting her hands on his chest.

He abandoned breakfast and turned in her arms, taking her face in his hands and capturing her lips with his.

A little voice interrupted with a song. “Daddy and Harper sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G.” Kayla giggled and ran off.

Harper rested her head against Logan’s chest as she laughed and felt his chest shake with his own laughter.

“Good morning, Kay,” Logan called across the apartment. Harper felt the deep rumble of his voice against her cheek.

“Good morning, Daddy,” her tiny voice floated in from the living room.

Harper lifted her head and looked into Logan’s eyes.

He leaned in and planted a kiss on the tip of her nose. “What’s your day look like?”

She looked at the clock on her stove. 6:05 a.m. “I’m running late, actually. Can you put this in a bowl for me to take? Savannah’s taking the morning off, and I was supposed to be there an hour ago.”

“Sure.”

“I’m gonna hit the shower real quick before I go.”

“Want me to join you?” he asked playfully.

“Funny guy.” Harper gave him a look over her shoulder as she started moving toward the bathroom. “I didn’t think you’d abandon me so soon this morning. Waking up alone wasn’t fun.”

Logan snatched her wrist before she got too far and pulled her into his arms again, planting a kiss on her that took her breath right out of her lungs. “Did that make up for it?” He brushed his nose softly against hers.

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