Page 101 of That Last Secret

“Yes!” She fist pumps the air before hustling toward the couch and grabbing a blanket to cover herself. “Can we make popcorn, too?”

“Normally, I’d say heck yes. But I think we should eat dinner first.”

“You’re right.” She nods. “What do you have in mind? Do you want me to make my famous French toast?”

I laugh at her. “How about we make a deal? I’ll cook dinner tonight, and tomorrow morning you can make me your famous French toast I’ve heardamazingthings about.”

“You’ve heard of it? Is it really that famous?”

I nod. “Oliver loves it.”

She smiles from ear to ear. “I love Ollie. He’s the best.”

“He really is. But listen, I’m not the best cook like your mom. I can make a mean buttered pasta, though. Does that work?”

“I love buttered noodles!”

Just as I’m about to make my way to the kitchen, my phone buzzes with a text message.

Logan

What are you up to?

Just hanging out with Mackenzie. You?

Logan

Great. I’m on my way over.

What? Why?

Three bubbles dance around my screen, but then they disappear. Two minutes later, there’s a knock on the door.

I know without even looking that it’s Logan.

I open the door to find him standing there with two grocery bags in his hand. He smiles and lifts them up to show that he brought dinner with him. I’m kind of thankful because after experiencing his chicken, my pasta now sounds so boring.

“I come bearing gifts in the form of dinner,” he says. “I figured you probably had nothing,” he adds, his voice lower so Mackenzie doesn’t hear.

“Thank you.”

Logan scans the apartment as he steps in and notices Mackenzie deep into the start of her Harry Potter movie. Then he leans in and gives me a quick kiss on the lips. Almost as if we do it every single day.

I can’t allow myself to think about that right now.

So instead, I focus on Logan’s backside as he enters the kitchen to unpack the groceries.

“It’s Captain Crunch chicken night,” he exclaims.

“What is that?” Mackenzie asks before turning her head toward the kitchen. “Oh, hi, Logan.”

“Hey there, Mackenzie,” Logan says with a welcoming smile.

“You two know each other already?” I ask.

“We met briefly one night when I stopped by Oliver’s place,” he says to me before directing his attention back to Mackenzie. “But to answer your question, it’s the best kind of chicken. You know how your mom makes chicken coated in breadcrumbs?”

Mackenzie nods. “Yes. It’s my favorite.”

---