Page 93 of The Secret Heir Next Door

“But it’s the truth. You’re so patient with me, and I appreciate it.”

“I have people cleaning all of this up. Can I take you back to my house and cook you dinner?”

“You can cook?” she teases.

“I know a thing or two,” I laugh. “My grandma wouldn’t allow a man in her family to not know their way around a kitchen. She was constantly preaching that a man should be well rounded and that it wasn’t just a woman's work.”

“Smart woman. I love to cook, but Emily burns water. But I’d never be able to stand in front of a courtroom and make people see my point of view like she does.”

“Brant is really impressed with her. He keeps raving about how smart and talented she is. That’s a high compliment coming from him.”

“If only he’d ask her on a date.”

“I’m surprised he hasn’t,” I chuckle as I lace my fingers through hers. “Maybe I’ll have to give him a hard time for that and see what happens.”

I lead her back over to her booth, where Lila and Emily are finishing up with a few stray customers.

“We’re going to head out,” Serena smiles.

“Is everything good then?” Emily asks as she looks back at me carefully.

“I think so,” Serena says. “I believe him anyway.”

“That’s a start. If you hurt my sister, I will hurt you,” Emily replies.

“We’re your worst nightmare,” Lila giggles.

“Not exactly scary when you’re laughing, Lila,” Serena jokes.

“It could also mean that I’m crazy,” she wiggles her fingers in the air.

“You are crazy…” Emily interjects as she laughs.

“I don’t hide it,” Lila smiles and makes a face at me.

“That you don’t,” Serena giggles.

“This was really great, Logan,” Emily adds. “Thanks for doing this for Serena.”

“Of course.”

We say our goodbyes and then walk to the car, hand in hand.

“Thank you for all of this again,” she says as we climb in. “It really does mean a lot to me.”

The second my driver pulls away from the curb, I lean forward and kiss her hungrily.

Maybe dinner will just be her tonight.

23

SERENA

Logan’s mouth is warm and hard against mine, his hands tugging me into him.

“Was this a ploy just to get me in your bed?” I tease as I pull away.

He leans his forehead against mine and chuckles.

---