Page 54 of Playing with Fire

“Are you guys gonna kiss?” Nikki asked as her nose scrunched.

Logan paused and surveyed them thoughtfully. “Would you think that was weird?”

Nikki shrugged. “Jesse kisses Mom. She says when two people really like each other, they kiss.”

“And you really like Izzy,” Alice added with a wide smile.

He chuckled and glanced back at me. “I doreallylike Izzy.”

Heat spread up my neck and into my face. I pulled my gaze away and focused back on the waffles, turning the pan over. Willing my face to turn back to its normal shade.

As we sat at the table together and ate, we told the girls about taking them to the festival. They were so excited, as soon as they finished their waffles, they took their plates to the sink and ran upstairs to get dressed.

“I don’t think they realize we’re not going until after you wake up.” I stood with my plate in my hands.

He chuckled. “I don’t think they do either. You still okay with that plan?”

“Of course.” The fact that we were going to do this together, the four of us, made me so utterly happy. I reached over to grab his plate and a sudden whiff of charred wood hit me. I leaned closer to his hair, breathing him in.

A chuckle left his lips. “Did you just smell me? I mean, I smell you all the time because you smell like strawberries. But I probably still stink from my quick shower this morning.”

“You don’t stink.” I shook my head. “I love the way you smell. It’s the smoke.” How did I explain this? I shrugged. “Reminds me of my father, my childhood. I find it comforting, familiar. I don’t know, it probably sounds stupid.” I could already feel my face heating.

He stared at me for so long I felt the need to squirm.

“Not stupid.” His fingers trailed up the back of my leg leaving gooseflesh in their wake. “I love that. Love that you can find comfort in something I can give you.”

There went those damn butterflies again.

“Go sleep. So we can go to the festival.” I leaned down and brushed my lips quickly against his before moving toward the sink.

He headed up to bed, and by the time I finished cleaning up the kitchen, the girls were playing quietly with Legos in the great room. I told them I’d be right back and went upstairs to change.

I loved the flowy tank top and cutoffs I brought for today, and when Logan entered the great room an hour later and his heated gaze skimmed over my body, it was obvious he did too.

As we rode in his truck to the festival, he entwined our hands, bringing mine to his lips and placing a chaste kiss on the back. I glanced at the girls in the back as they giggled. I loved how simple the whole thing was. Even when he won them both a stuffed bear at a carnival game, they told him he had to get one for me, too.

“Of course, I have to win my girl a prize.”

His girl. The sheer happiness those words evoked was indescribable.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

LOGAN

As soon aswe got back to the house, Nikki and Alice darted out back to play on the swing set. How did they still have energy after spending three hours walking around the festival?

“Why don't I stay at this point?” Izzy handed me a glass of sweet tea she’d just poured and then took the seat next to me at the kitchen table. “I can make dinner.”

I glanced at my watch. It was almost five. She would need to be back here in less than two hours. At least this was my last night shift scheduled for a bit.

“You sure?” I raised a brow at her. “You don't have to if you need a break.” As much as I wanted her here, I wanted her to know I understood she had her own life and responsibilities.

“I want to be here.” She looked down at her glass as she tapped her fingers on the side of it. “Unless you want it to be you and the girls for a bit. I totally understand?—”

I grabbed her hand and threaded my fingers through hers. She raised her gaze to meet mine. “Having you here. Making waffles and going to the festival. It was perfect. So yeah, I want you to stay.”

“Good,” she said with a smile.

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