Page 103 of Cougar

Logan.

“This is Logan. Logan, this is Emerson.”

“Great to meet you.” He extends his hand, but I wave him off before pulling him into a hug.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Logan. How long are you in town?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Just the weekend. I’m heading back to New York tomorrow night.”

“Well, welcome. Grab some food. Drinks are in the back.”

“Thanks.” Logan smiles as Cam hooks an arm around his neck and leads him out back.

“Holy crap,” Jay whispers. “Have you seen Lexi’s dad yet?”

I snort. “No, why?”

“Sweet baby Jesus, here they come,” she murmurs. Turning my head, I follow her line of sight and nearly drop my wineglass.

Mother of God.

“Holy fuck,” I whisper as I bring the glass to my lips.

“Told you,” she says under her breath.

“Emerson, Jay,” Lexi starts. “This is my dad, Ryan Davis.” She practically shoves her dad in my direction before skipping off with Jay out the back door.

“H-hi.”Get it together, Emerson.“It’s nice to meet you.” I extend my hand.

There’s a brief flicker of something in his eyes as he reaches for my hand. “Good to finally meet you, Emerson.” Something in his tone tells me he’s heard about me from someone other than Lexi. “The house looks great,” he says as he scans the room.

I tilt my head to the side. “You built it, didn’t you?”

He brings his gaze to mine and nods. “Not me personally, but my company, yes.”

“Well your company did an amazing job. You’ve met my mother, then?”

“Thank you and yes,” he chuckles, “I’ve known Mrs. Mackenzie for many years. I also had the pleasure of meeting your late husband a few times. He was a great guy, and if I’m being honest, I was a huge fan. I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.” I jerk my head to the side. “Come on. Let’s go get you a drink.”

The dinner party was a success. I had the chance to meet most of the parents of Jay’s friends. The Mannings even stopped by with their middle son, Bryce. Jay seemed to be exceptionally fond of him. After taking a million pictures, the parents took off and the kids loaded up in their cars and headed out.

“Emerson,” Lisa giggles. “Go get your boy. He’s acting like a helicopter parent.”

I walk to the front door to see Bass leaning in the driver side of Jay’s Range Rover, speaking to Zach as Jay rolls her eyes.

“B,” I call out, fighting back a laugh. “They’re gonna miss homecoming. Let them go.”

Bass lifts his head, and with the straightest face, he says, “I’m going over the rules before they go.”He’s such an asshole.

I can’t help it. I throw my head back and Lisa and I both laugh out loud. “Get your butt in here and let them go.”

Bass taps the roof of the Rover and steps back. And I swear Zach practically peels out of the driveway.

Emerson

“Come over,” Cam says through the phone. “I have a surprise for you.” With the season over, and Jay at dance class, Wednesdays have sort of become date night for Cam and me.

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