Page 36 of The Secret Heir Next Door

“Thanks, gentlemen,” Lila gushes as she takes a drink from them, taking a quick sip.

“Lila, no,” I whisper. “We didn’t see the bartender make it.”

“Shit,” she says as her eyes widen.

I take the other drink from the guys, pretending to take a sip before I set it down on a table.

“Thanks guys. We’re going to go back to dancing.”

Lila puts her drink down, too, and we go back out on the dance floor.

“I can’t believe I wasn’t thinking about them drugging us.”

“Chances are, they didn’t, but can’t be too careful, right?”

“I feel fine,” she says dismissively. “Let’s forget about men.”

“Done,” I giggle.

But no matter how hard I try, I can’t shake the feeling of Logan’s presence. I glance over my shoulder every so often just to see if he’s still there. He is. Still talking to the guy, still laughing, still looking like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

Why is he here? Why now? And why stay and ignore me?

I’m certain that men like Logan Pierce don’t frequent places like this often.

Lila’s laughter breaks through my thoughts, and I force myself to focus on her, to lose myself in the moment. We twirl and spin, our movements a blur. I close my eyes, letting the music guide me, trying to push everything else out of my mind.

As the night wears on, the bar grows even more crowded. The energy in the room is electric, a mix of alcohol-fueled excitement and the unspoken tension that comes with being in such close quarters with so many people. Lila and I are still dancing, and our movements are a little less coordinated as the drinks start to take effect.

But no matter how many times I tell myself to just enjoy the night, my eyes keep drifting back to the bar, to the spot where Logan is standing. He hasn’t moved much, still talking with his friend, who, by the way, is seriously gorgeous. Tall, muscular,with a smile that could melt even the coldest heart. If I wasn’t so hung up on Logan, I might actually be interested.

The music shifts, a slower, sultrier beat taking over, and the dance floor seems to come alive in a different way. Couples move closer, bodies swaying together, and I suddenly feel very exposed, very aware of the fact that Logan is still watching me. Or maybe he isn’t. I can’t be sure anymore, and that uncertainty drives me crazy.

“Would either of you ladies care to dance,” Adrian asks as he approaches, almost as if he were waiting for us.

“I need a break,” I say quickly.

“Let’s get a drink,” Lila says, her voice cutting through the haze of my thoughts.

She’s flushed, her eyes bright with alcohol and excitement, and I can tell she’s having a good time. I nod, grateful for the excuse to leave the dance floor, even if just for a moment.

“It’s on me,” he says quickly.

James and Doug are flanking our sides. We make our way to the bar, squeezing through the crowd until we find an open spot. The bartender nods, already moving to make our usual drinks. Lila leans against the bar, her eyes scanning the crowd, probably looking for someone to flirt with. I, on the other hand, can’t stop from glancing over at Logan again.

“Serena, how are you?” a deep voice asks.

I turn around to see Logan’s friend right next to us.

Damn, he’s even hotter up close. Is he real?

Lila nudges me with her elbow, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Um, fine,” I reply with a forced smile.

How does he know my name? Has Logan been talking about me?

Logan looks just as surprised as me by the encounter.

---