“What about that time I somehow talked you into cleaning out the stalls? I think you were in middle school. That couldn’t have been fun. Hell, the pitchfork was bigger thanyou.”
He chuckles, and I shake my head with alaugh.
“I got to hang out with you the whole afternoon, and your mom gave us ice cream when we were done. We never had ice cream at home. Besides, I’ve always adored the horses.”And you too,dummy.
He’d gotten in trouble—what else is new?—and had to clean and polish the tack and shovel out the stalls. So I did the stalls and he did the rest, since the saddles were too heavy for me and I had a hard time reaching the upper pegs in the equipment room. We kept each other company, joking allafternoon.
I shrug. “The hard stuff isn’t so difficult when you love the rest.” This is something Tori and I talk about often, how unexpected blessings blunt the sharp edges oflife.
Logan doesn’t say anything for a moment, but then he reaches for me and kisses the back of my hand. “You’re a pretty kickassgirl.”
My heart skips a couple of beats. I smile back. “Because I helped you with yourchores?”
“Because you’ve always got my back. Every fucking time. And you have the best attitude of anyone Iknow.”
I’m not sure anything can wipe the smile off my face for the rest of thedrive.
As we stroll up the front walkway of Ethan’s house, Logan tosses his arm over my shoulders and says, “Been meaning to ask… Where’d you learn that finger move you used on me last night? It was hot asfuck.”
He pauses to pull me in front of him so he can rock his erection againstme.
I blush furiously and giggle. “Where else? Porn. And seriously, how can you be hardagain?”
“Because I’ve gotten off with you three times in the last twelve hours?” He presses a wet kiss to my neck, and I reach back to grip his hair, the laughter dying on my tongue because, yeah, I’m ready to go too. His mouth is on mine a hot secondlater.
We’re in our own little world of two when Mila opens the front door, turns around, and hollers, “Logan and Joey are making out on the front porch, y’all. Kissy, kissy, kissy!” She makes smacking sounds, and I cover my face with alaugh.
Logan drags me into the house by the hand. “That wasn’t making out,” he grumbles. “I was merely appreciating mygirlfriend.”
“Ohhhh.” Mila bats her eyelashes as she hops around and sing-songs, “Logan has a girlfriend! Logan has agirlfriend!”
I’m Logan’s girlfriend. Officially. I smile like I just won a millionbucks.
Mila stops suddenly, and her eyes widen. “If y’all get married, does that mean you’ll be my aunt,Joey?”
Logan and I both freeze. I cringe, hating that I might need to strangle this child whom I love sodearly.
Because I might be new to relationships, but I know better than to talk weddings this early. Especially with a guy like Logan. A woman starts talking marriage, and he probably wants to bolt for the fences like an escapedconvict.
I look up and see Logan’s entire family and Tori’s hovering in the kitchen, watching us, waiting for us to saysomething.
Ethan chides his daughter. “Mila. Honey, stop teasing youruncle.”
Tori mouths, “Sorry.”
Ignoring my mortification, I put on the fakest smile of my life and joke, “Marry Logan? It’swaytoo early too know if he’s the right guy for me.” I saunter with a forced bravado toward the counter to grab an apple. “What if he picks his nose or leaves wet towels on the floor in the bathroom? A girl has to know these things before making that kind ofdecision.”
Mila considers this and turns to Logan. “Do you pick yournose?”
“I pick my noseandmy butt. Every day.” He reaches for her face and pretends to pick hers while she squeals andlaughs.
When she darts under the table, he reaches for me and sticks his finger in mynostril.
“Oh, my God, you’re gross.” I laugh and slap him away while he bites my neckaffectionately.
When we stop, the room is still staring atus.
Ethan clears his throat and smirks. “How did the horseback ride go last night? Did ya get a lot ofridingdone?” Tori smacks his arm with asnort.
