Page 44 of Unmistakably Us

January tossed him a shy grin and started chewing her lips, and then was talking about steaks, potato salad, and plates that needed washed. He looked around and found no shoulder devil rock gods or anything, just a stunned but seemingly pleased audience and one pissed sister storming inside.

Everyone else except Francis and January herself were pulling papers from their pockets and purses and discussing the pool, but Logan was dividing his focus between January and Gus. He was confused about what was going on. He had thought of all the people here, Gus would be especially happy about them.

January followed his gaze and cursed under her breath. Logan gently took her hand. She looked down at their joined hands and back at him, shaking her head. He took that to mean something else was going on between them that had upset Gus.

“I should go talk to her.” January turned to leave. On the way to the door, Francis took her arm and was whispering to her and leading her inside. Logan was about to follow when Frank stopped him.

“Let the ladies talk, son. It’ll all work out. You’ll see.” The men turned their attention to the grill as the rest of the ladies filed inside.

What he wouldn’t give to be in there instead of out here. He wanted to be there for January, not that Gus would hurt her, but January loved her sister to the point she would cut off her own arm if it would help Gus. Logan was worried that if she were not one hundred percent on-board with them, January would sacrifice them for her sister.

In a way, Logan understood that—not that people had sacrificed for him, but he had witnessed that level of devotion toward others. It was something he coveted—not that he would ever ask someone he loved to sacrifice for him; he just wanted to know what it would feel like for someone to be willing to.

“I’m happy for you, brother.” Michael still didn’t know how true that word was, but it felt more genuine this time for some reason. Maybe it was all the bonding and acceptance he had received from this family, but he was really feeling like he wasn’t a sham.

He deserved this family, and damn it, he deserved a future with January.