Page 12 of Playing with Fire

“I don't likecleaningmesses.”

“Well, if you have time, you can help us, and thenI'llclean up the mess,” I offered.

The twins bounced excitedly, and a smile lifted Logan's lips. Jesus. The grumpy single dad vibe was sexy, but it didn't hold a candle to the smile he was giving his daughters. So much adoration in that look.

He pushed away from the counter and stepped up to the island. “I have a few minutes.”

Alice and Nikki beamed up at their dad as they took their spots on their stools, and I handed them the measuring cup. “Remember how much?”

They both nodded. “Two cups,” Nikki said.

The first afternoon I picked them up, I was scared I wouldn't be able to tell them apart. Then it became obvious that Nikki refused to wear anything pink. Problem solved. Until neither of them wore something pink. Bridge for another day—hopefully after I’d already figured out a few more of their tells.

“Wait,” Logan said, eyeing Nikki, who was ready to pour the mix into the measuring cup. “You let them do it?”

I shrugged. “Pretty much. I had to help whisk a bit, but they did almost all of it yesterday. They're really good at following directions.”

“We did a good job.” Alice smiled brightly. “And we got to help make quesadillas too.”

He raised an eyebrow at me, and I smiled back. “They're great helpers.”

Once the girls had all the ingredients in the bowl and whisked as much as they could, Logan stepped in and helped while I warmed up the griddle.

“I have to go now.” Logan placed a kiss on the top of each girl's head. “Have a good day at school.”

Their chorus of “Bye, daddy” was adorable as they climbed off their stools and headed toward me. Alice handed me the bowl, and as I took it from her, I stole a glance over at Logan. His jaw was tight, but at least he wasn't scowling at me.

His lips twitched when I shot him a smile, and he gave a slight shake of his head before turning and heading toward the door.

I focused back on my task, the girls chattering away about funny shapes they wanted to try to make with the batter, but I couldn't stop thinking about the way Logan had looked at me earlier. Now that I’d had more time to think about it, it was actually pretty obvious.

Logan Murray found me desirable. And I liked that idea a bit too much.

Chapter Nine

LOGAN

Imagesof her in that crop top took up space front and center in my mind most of the morning. So much so, I don’t even remember getting to the station. And the way she moved around the kitchen, humming and talking with Nikki and Alice, I had to remind myself it had only been four days. She already acted completely at home in my house, and her energy was almost contagious.

I hated it. It would be so much easier if I found her annoying or unlikable in some way.

She had to have something that would turn me off. Maybe she chewed with her mouth open.

So far, everything had been quiet at the station. I wasn’t sure if that was a blessing or a curse. Busy meant someone’s day was going to suck. Quiet meant my mind had nothing else to focus on.

Worry bubbled up when my phone vibrated and I saw Izzy's name across the screen. It was almost nine a.m. She should have already dropped the girls off at school.

I hit the answer button and brought it to my ear. “Everything okay?”

“Well,” she giggled. “Not really.”

My spine stiffened.

“The back doors won't close.”

“What?”

“Yeah. It's the weirdest thing. Alice got out and shut her door, but it wouldn't shut.”

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