Olivia knew that Kitty was right. Whether she was strong enough to do anything about it was another thing.
* * *
The weather had been appalling all day, and Olivia had sat at the kitchen table talking with Kitty as she prepared dinner for that night. It was late afternoon when Olivia found herself reluctantly agreeing to hang around. ‘Just for the dinner bit though, right? It will give me a chance to properly apologise to Logan too, but then I’ll make myself scarce,’ she said.
‘I’m so glad you’re going to be here,’ said Kitty gratefully. ‘It makes it less of a date. More of a night of him coming here to hang out with friends.’
‘You tell yourself that if it’s easier, Kitty. But I think we both know there’s more to it than that.’ Olivia smirked. ‘Now are you allprepared,if you know what I mean?’
‘I’ve got all the food prepped and the brownies are in the oven.’ She knew full well it wasn’t what Olivia meant.
‘Why don’t you let me take the brownies out the oven when the buzzer goes, and you go and do thatessentialgrooming so that you’re date-night ready. If you get my drift.’
Kitty, who was wiping down the kitchen surfaces, froze in horror. ‘I’m not about to jump into bed with him,’ she exclaimed.
‘What about that motto,always be prepared. Didn’t they teach you that in Girl Scouts or whatever it is you do here?’
‘Olivia,’ she said admonishingly. ‘Please don’t make this any worse than it is. I’m not having sex with himtonight.’
‘Why not?’ she argued. ‘He’s a good-looking guy and you’re a beautiful woman.’ She paused, then added, ‘Maybe you both need a bit of sexual healing . . .’
Kitty burst out laughing and threw the dishcloth across the kitchen at her. ‘Would you stop it? Honestly. I’m nervous enough as it is.’
Chapter Thirty-Six
Kitty answered the door as soon as she heard the first knock. Logan stood on the doorstep, holding a plastic bag that was dripping.
‘Come inside,’ she said, ushering him in. ‘It’s awful out there.’
‘Not exactly a pleasant summer’s evening, is it?’ He pulled off his coat.
The weather had got increasingly worse as the day had gone on, and she had wondered if Logan may end up cancelling.
Logan reached down to kiss her on the cheek, which sent a tingle through her. She met his gaze and held it, smiling shyly. Then she gave herself a shake. ‘Here,’ she said, reaching for his jacket and hanging it on a peg by the front door.
‘I did think about wearing a wetsuit here,’ he confessed. ‘Can you believe I brought my car, and this is just from the dash to your front door.’
As it was, Kitty went to fetch him a towel so he could dry his hair. It also gave herself a moment to calm her breathing and get rid of the mental picture she now had of him unzipping his wetsuit.
‘Thanks,’ said Logan, after rubbing his hair dry. ‘That feels much better.’ He glanced out the window at the biblical rain bouncing off the grass. He reached into the plastic bag he was holding and pulled out a bunch of roses and some wine.
‘Aw, thank you,’ said Kitty. ‘That’s really kind of you.’ They were now standing very close together. She could feel her heart starting to race again. Just then Olivia appeared in the hallway and winked at her, making sure that Logan didn’t notice. Kitty narrowed her eyes and glared at her. She was so relieved that she’d managed to talk Olivia into staying ? but she’d better behave!
‘Hi, Olivia,’ said Logan. ‘How’s things?’
‘Good, thanks. I’m just on my way out. Better take my canoe,’ she joked.
‘Are you really going out?’ asked Kitty, panicked.
‘Maybe . . .’ Olivia grinned back.
‘Olivia,’ said Kitty, as firmly as she could. ‘You did say that you wanted to be useful, so how about you put these in a vase for me and fix Logan a drink.’ She turned back to Logan. ‘Come on through. Welcome to our humble abode.’
‘This is such a great place,’ he said as he followed them through to the open-plan living space. ‘No wonder you two were happy to give house sharing a go.’
‘Would you like the full tour?’ offered Kitty.
‘Sure,’ he said.
