Everyonelaughs.
After we chat, Brady and Kat meander over to the dessert window by the cash register, and Mila and Tori run to the bathroom in the back because my daughter realizes she “really, really needs totinkle.”
Logan watches the girls go, glances down at his phone, and then turns to the front of thediner.
Cody squirms in his high chair, so I clean him off and settle him on mylap.
“So what’s the surprise?” I can’t deny that I’m curious. Logan went on and on about it thisafternoon.
I expect him to tell me he got us a new client or something work-related, but instead of being excited, he sighs. “I didn’t think this through, having everyone here.” He motions toward the bathrooms. “Just don’t bemad.”
Nothing good ever happens when he says that tome.
“How did this go from ‘hey, I have a surprise for you’ to ‘don’t bemad’?”
He shifts and looks over his shoulder again. I follow his line of vision as two blondes strut through the front door. They see Logan andwave.
“You got a date with, what, sisters? Let me guess. You’re taking off for the weekend and want me to do everything we bulleted here.” I tap on the mile-long to-do list we jotted down duringdinner.
The blondes stop at our table, and the younger one leans down to hug Logan, while the other one smiles at me. Now that she’s close, I realize she looksfamiliar.
“Hi,Ethan.”
And she knows myname.
Logan breaks away from the woman wrapped around him to motion to the other. “Bro, this is Sandra. Remember, she has a son about Mila’s age? And this is her sisterSage.”
Shifting uncomfortably, I realize where this is headed.Logan, don’t dothis.
“Ladies.” I’m wondering how quickly I can pack up Cody’s diaper bag and toys, which are strewn across the table. “You know what? We’d better get going.” I look at my brother, hoping he understands why I’m doing this. “If you want to stay, that’s fine, but it’s gettinglate.”
Sandra puts her hand on my shoulder. “Your son is getting sobig!”
“He eats like a horse,” I joke, trying to not be a total asshole. With one hand, I hold Cody, who squirms like he has ants in his pants, while I gather his toys with theother.
Logan leans across the table and murmurs, “Let’s just do this fast, okay? Before the girls get back. It’ll befine.”
I’m not sure I know exactly what he’s talking about, but I’m one hundred percent I don’t want to findout.
Sandra leans closer. “Logan told me the good news!” She squeezes my shoulderagain.
“And what would thatbe?”
“That your divorce is almost final, and that you wanted to go on a date withme!”
I give her an awkward smile and then shoot Logan a look.What the fuck are you doing?He shrugs and pats the other sister on theass.
Sage plays with his hair. “We were thinking we could do something tomorrow night, if Sandra can find ababysitter.”
There’s my out.I don’t want to hurt Sandra’s feelings. I remember her situation with her ex, and I don’t want to be an ass, but I’m not interested. “Actually, ladies, I don’t have ababysitter.”
“I got you covered. Joey said she could babysit.” Logan waggles hiseyebrows.
Sandra squeals and scares Cody. “Yay! It’s a date.” She turns to me and bats her eyelashes. “I have to confess I’ve beendyingto go out with you. I’m so glad we’re doing this. I’m so glad you asked meout!”
FuckingLogan.
“Daddy.” Mila’s voice is a record scratch that cuts through the noise of thediner.
