Page 21 of The Secret Heir Next Door

Abby’s eyes widen. “Yes! You have to wear a costume! It’s going to be so much fun!”

“I’ll think about it,” I say, grinning. “But no promises. I don’t think I can pull off a Spider-Man unicorn like you can.”

As we continue to chat and enjoy the delicious food, I find myself increasingly drawn into the warmth of the evening. Logan’s usual demeanor is set aside for the moment, revealing a side of him that’s caring and attentive, especially towards Abby. It’s a refreshing change and gives me a new perspective on him.

I don’t need a different perspective on him. I need to steer clear of him. He’s an absolute jerk.

But if Abby loves me and my store, then maybe she can keep him from closing it.

Great, I’m relying on a four-year-old with no attention span for help.

“Alright, what’s next on the agenda?” I ask, looking around at the empty plates and half-eaten food.

Logan checks his watch and then looks at Abby. “I think we’re about ready to head out, give Abby a chance to burn off some energy. How about a quick stop for ice cream?”

Abby’s face lights up again. “Yes, yes, yes!”

I glance at Logan, who’s watching Abby with a mix of amusement and affection. “You really do spoil her, don’t you?”

Logan shrugs, his expression softening. “What can I say? She’s worth it.”

As we prepare to leave, I can’t help but feel a newfound appreciation for Logan. The evening has shown me a different side of him, one that’s kind and nurturing and deeply invested in his niece’s happiness. It’s a side I hadn’t seen before. Of course, I haven’t spilled anything on him yet tonight.

“Thanks for dinner, Logan,” I say, standing up and stretching. “And for letting me be part of Abby’s world tonight.”

“Anytime,” he replies, giving me a warm smile. “I’m glad you could join us.”

“Me too.”

“I can drop you off, so you’re not walking alone at night.”

“Oh no,” I laugh. “I’m really right around the corner.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, thanks, though. It’s been nice seeing this side of you,” I smile.

Abby gives me a quick hug and I part from the two of them.

Damn, I wish he would have tried to kiss me.

I lookup from the cluttered display shelf when I hear someone come in. My hands are smeared with a mix of flour and sugar. The shop is a mess, as usual, with boxes of inventory stacked haphazardly and items scattered across every available surface. It’s a charming kind of chaos that I’ve grown accustomed to, but it’s definitely not the image I’d like to present to a potential customer.

I glance at the entrance, expecting to see someone looking for fudge or something else entirely off their diet. Instead, Logan strolls in, his eyes scanning the disarray with an unreadable expression. He’s dressed in his usual Armani suit, which only contrasts further with the state of my shop.

“Hey, Serena,” he says, his voice carrying a note of casual curiosity. “I thought I’d stop by and see how things are going.”

“Hey,” I reply, grabbing a pile that’s about to topple over. “Just tidying up. What’s up?”

Would he visit any party planner this much?

For someone who thinks my shop is an eyesore, he’s here an awful lot.

He takes a few steps toward the counter, his gaze shifting from the disorganized shelves to the stacks of boxes. “Well, I didn’t expect to find you in the middle of a tornado.”

I smirk at his attempt to mask his criticism. “It’s not as bad as it looks. I know exactly where everything is.”

Logan raises an eyebrow, his eyes lingering on a pile of misplaced stock. “Really? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like barely organized chaos.”

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