Page 3 of Just Say Yes

“Oh my god!” I struggled to maneuver out from under the table and onto my feet. The tight skirt of my dress restricted my movements, and my hemline crept higher.

Arthur looked at the man and grinned. “Logan.” He sat up in his chair. “This is unexpected.”

Logan.

The nurses were all abuzz over Arthur’s broody and pestering grandson Logan. Apparently he called near daily wanting to check up on Arthur or demand to know the ins and outs of his grandfather’s schedule. Rumor was that he was a bit of a princess and didn’t like the fact that our residents had autonomy over their days. Arthur was free to do what he pleased, and we weren’t required to get family approval before he tried pickleball or went to the local park to play dominoes with friends.

Maybe setting up dates with the nursing staff was a little left field ...

Arthur stood and moved toward his grandson while I struggled to my feet next to the table, tugging at my dress and dusting grit from my knees. Logan accepted Arthur’s embrace, but his eyes raked over me, lingering a second too long on the short hemline of my dress. I tugged at it again as I stood frozen.

Arthur beamed at the man. “There’s someone I’d like you to meet.” He gestured toward me. “MJ is my companion for the night.”

I’m sorry—what now?

I had sputtered and attempted to speak when Logan let loose a deep, rumbling sigh. “Grandpa, we talked about this. You can’t hire hookers to have dinner with you because you’re lonely.”

“Whoa!” I cut in, stepping forward with a hand on my hip. I wagged one finger in his direction. “First of all, I think the proper term isescort. Second?—”

“Whatever.” Logan cut off my rant just as I was gaining steam. He rolled his eyes, and my blood pressure spiked. “Grandpa, cut me some slack. We went over this. No hookers.”

Arthur laughed, clearly enjoying the fact that his ridiculously handsome grandson was grossly misinformed. I couldn’t blame him. He’d walked into the room to find me under the table, practically between his grandfather’s legs, but I was still annoyed.

I crossed my arms in anger, until I realized the gesture pushed my boobs up even higher, and I quickly dropped them.

Arthur held out his hand to me, gesturing for me to step forward. “MJ, this is my grandson, Logan.”

I gritted my teeth, then faked a smile and held out a hand. “Pleasure.”

He eyed it before manners won out and he wrapped his gargantuan hand around mine. He shook, then moved his attention to his grandfather. “Are you done here? I thought we could talk before I have to leave for my match.”

Annoyed, I cut in with a raised eyebrow. “Visiting hours were over at six.”

His eyes flicked over my too-tight outfit again. “Then what’s your excuse?”

My nostrils flared as Arthur simply chuckled. Clearly, the old man was enjoying himself. “Don’t be rude to my companion, Logan.”

I turned toward Arthur. “Okay, maybe stop calling me that.”

Arthur blinked innocently. I snatched my backpack from the floor. “I think I’m going to go.” Turning toward Arthur, I pleaded with my eyes, desperate to escape the entire incredibly embarrassing moment. “Thank you for thealmostlovely dinner. I will see you next time.”

I stormed past a brooding Logan, bumping into him when he refused to step aside. “Did you get paid?” he shot over his shoulder.

My high heels came to a screeching halt. “Wow!” I spun on my toes. “You really go all in when you step in it, don’t you?” Fire was blazing in my chest. “Well, let me break this down for you, buddy.” I emphasized every word with a jab of my hand. “I. Am. Not. A. Prostitute. I don’t know who pissed in your protein shake, but I work as a nurse at Haven Pines, taking care ofyourgrandfather. Something you would know if you had visited evenoncein the time he’s been here. Your grandpa is a sweet man. He’s funny. He is very charming. When he asked me to join him for dinner, I said yes.As a friendto a lonely old man—” I turned to Arthur. “No offense.”

Arthur only laughed and shrugged. “None taken.”

I turned my attention back to Logan. His brow furrowed, and I ignored the tiny spark that burned low in my belly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to gather what’s left of my pride and go home.” I looked past Logan’s broad shoulders. “Mr. Brown, I will see you tomorrow.” My eyes flicked to a stunned Logan. I breathed deeply and smiled. “It is my sincere hope that I never,eversee you again.”

At my back, Arthur hooted. “You really did it now, kid.”

Logan grumbled something to his grandfather, but I didn’t stick around to hear it. The night had been humiliating enough, and I didn’t need the hottest man I’d ever seen to watch me fall apart.

I was annoyed that my pride could be so easily bruised by a handsome stranger. I should have known better. Men who looked likehimmeant only trouble.

I would know.

I sailed past Beth, not bothering to say goodbye. It was likely her fault Logan was allowed to disregard the visiting hours.

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