Oh, that was why he’d kissed her. Of course. “Oh, if we need to move the dinner, then—”
“Absolutely not,” the woman who was very clearly his mother said. The redhead who was at least five feet ten, slender and lean stepped forward and pulled Grace into a tight hug. “We’re late but we’re so excited to see our boys and I’m so happy to meet the woman Logan has been talking about.”
Grace hugged her back even though she felt a little weird about lying about the whole situation. “It’s nice to meet you guys as well.” She held out her hand for his father but the dark-haired man pulled her into a bear hug too.
Okay then, they were definitely huggers, which made her laugh a little. She could see where Logan had gotten his good nature from, if his smiling parents were any indication. Already they were such a contrast to her own mother and she liked it.
Logan looped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, which she was thankful for. It might feel a little odd for him to be holding her like this, but it also felt…good. Soooooo good. Her lips were still tingling a bit from that kiss, making her feel lightheaded as it was.
Multiple voices grew louder for a moment, and Grace knew that was more than just Taylor and Roman in the kitchen. She looked up at Logan quizzically.
“Some of the guys from work are here too,” Logan murmured.
“Look, we’re going to put our suitcases upstairs and get settled in if that’s all right. But we’ll be back down here in a few minutes,” his mom said.
Logan nodded. “Sounds good. And I’ll grab the suitcases.”
“Thanks, sweetheart.” His mom patted his forearm gently. “And Grace, I just want to be clear that even though we’re staying here, don’t feel like you can’t stay the night. We’re all adults and I know you’re important in my son’s life.”
Grace felt heat flood her face and could imagine how pink her cheeks were. But she wanted to mess with Logan just a little bit because of that toe-curling kiss and this entire situation he’d sprung on her, so… “Oh, I don’t stay over here. I told Logan that until I have a ring on my finger, no sleepovers.”
She kissed a shocked-looking Logan on the cheek as she hurried out of the foyer, wine bottle and purse in hand. As she made her exit she heard his mom say, “I think I like that girl.”
She snickered to herself as she stepped into the kitchen and found a whole crew of guys from his work standing around plates of appetizers and going at them like rabid coyotes. Even though it would be weird acting like Logan’s girlfriend in front of some of their friends, it would also make this whole situation easier if it was a big party and not just his parents and brother and sister-in-law.
Taylor threw her arms around her. “I’m so glad you’re here! The freaking sausage fest right now is out of control. And they’re acting like they’ve never seen food.”
Behind her, Roman simply shook his head as he opened a bottle of beer, his mouth twitching ever so slightly.
“Let’s head out to the patio so we can gossip,” Taylor said, linking her arm through Grace’s.
“Sounds like a plan to me.” She set the bottle on the countertop and let Taylor guide her outside into the fresh night air.
Multiple palm trees were lit up with twinkle lights, their fronds waving prettily around the pool. Even though it was too cold to use the pool right now, she was glad it wasn’t covered because of the way it glittered under the moonlight.
“So you and Logan are ‘together’?” Taylor asked, using air quotes.
Rolling her eyes, she nodded. “Apparently. I couldn’t say no to him when he pretended the same thing for me with my ex, and then looked at me with those puppy dog eyes.” The dismissive words hid her true feelings. Or Grace hoped they did.
“He’s a sneaky one.”
She frowned at her friend. “How so?”
Instead of answering Taylor just snorted. Then her eyes lit up when her husband stepped outside with two glasses of wine in his hand. Roman, the perfect gentleman, handed both of them glasses. “I’m going to hang out here with you guys for a little bit. I’m about to lose a hand in there.”
“Too much sausage for you?” Taylor giggled before taking a big sip of her wine.
Grace grinned at her friend. “How much have you had to drink?”
“I’ve only had two glasses. Well, now will be three—but I didn’t eat lunch today.” She giggled again at nothing in particular, making Grace smile.
“So are you happy to have your parents in town?” she asked Roman.
“Yeah, we don’t get to see them enough. They keep talking about moving here, and if you and Logan tie the knot, maybe they will.” As usual, Roman’s expression was dry. Seriously, how were he and Logan twins?
She snorted. “Don’t you start on that too. I know you know the truth—” She cleared her throat as Logan stepped outside with his parents in tow.
They’d shed their jackets and each had a glass of something in hand as Logan made a beeline for Grace.
His beautiful eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he once again wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I’m going to get you back for that parting shot,” he murmured in her ear before gently nipping the lobe.
She couldn’t think of any sort of witty response because she felt that nip all the way to her core. Because suddenly she had a flash of that night in the hotel room. Him behind her, thrusting hard, wrapping his fingers gently around her throat as he leaned forward and bit down on her earlobe, whispering dirty things. Making her come.
That man and his wicked, wicked mouth.
Blinking, she realized she needed to keep her shit together because his mom was now looking at her and asking her about working in the school system.
“It’s great,” Grace answered. “I’m definitely going to enjoy my Christmas break, but I love what I do. The kids are all fantastic. Whenever I hear people talking about ‘kids today’ and how awful they are, I wonder if they actually know any children because they’re simply wonderful. And they make me feel hope for the future.” And the kids she worked with were in high school and so ready to get out there and change the world.
“Yep, I knew I liked you.” His mother beamed at her.
Another dose of guilt wormed its way inside her. This woman was so nice and Grace didn’t like pretending to be something she wasn’t.
“Tell my mom about the new program you implemented,” Logan said.
She was so used to deflecting talking about herself or simply listening to others—a huge part of her job as a counselor—that it felt weird to be almost bragging about herself.
But when Logan looked down at her with clear admiration, she brushed aside her stupid insecurities. Logan always made her feel important, as if she had something valuable to contribute and say.
Just another reason she wished this arrangement was real instead of a charade.
Chapter 7
Grace steered her car into Logan’s driveway, smiling to see him already outside with all of his Christmas lights. It looked like a tangled mess. She was actually surprised he’d decided to put up lights so close to Christmas at all, and she had a feeling it had more to do with his parents being in town than anything else.