Between You and Me

She stepped into his mother’s place and opened her red parka with one hand, balancing the paper bag she held. He took her coat for her, setting it aside on an armchair as she clutched the bag and went into the living room. The condo was small, but warm and welcoming. Annmarie sat on the couch, looking the same as the last time Tess had seen her, which was a relief. “Hi, Annmarie. How are you?”

“Fine, thanks.” Annmarie smiled. Her eyes ran over Tess’s tight black top, leggings, and knee-high black leather boots. “That’s a great outfit. Shows off your figure. Kind of makes you look like Catwoman, or a ninja spy.”

Tess laughed as she sat beside her, still holding the bag. “Thanks. I don’t have a whip or a sword or anything. No Chinese stars in here, I’m afraid.”

“Pity,” Annmarie joked.

“Ha!” Tess looked herself over as if she’d only just remembered what she was wearing. “Maybe the boots are a little sexy, but the rest is just comfortable.”

“Pffft.” Annmarie dismissed that. “Yes, the boots are hot, but so’s the rest of you. I wish I had legs like yours. You’re a sexy woman, go on and flaunt it.”

“Well, thanks.” Tess grinned and shot a glance over at Logan, who winked in amusement.

But his insides heated a little as his eyes quickly traveled over her. He wanted to peel her out of her clothes and let his fingertips claim every sultry inch of her. “She’s the sexiest woman on earth,” he said.

“Awww,” Tess said. She put down the bag, rose up to go to him, and said, “Give me a hug for that one, my hottie boyfriend.”

He snorted out a laugh, but was glad for an excuse to touch her. When she pressed herself against him and wrapped her arms around his waist, something inside him melted all over again. God, she felt so good. He held her close and stole a quick kiss, just like a real boyfriend would. After all, his mother was right there.

Tess looked into his eyes and whispered lightly, “Hey there. I missed you.”

It made his heart stutter in his chest. She had no idea how she possessed him, now had free reign over his heart. “I missed you too,” he said, his voice feeling thick in his throat. “Sorry about that, but . . . thanks for giving me the space I needed. I’m better now. And it’s great to see you.” He kissed her again, because he could, and whispered, “She’s right, you know. You look amazing.”

“Thanks.” She lifted her hand to give his beard an affectionate scratch, her blue eyes twinkling. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

Annmarie cleared her throat. “Should I leave you two lovebirds alone? It’s no problem, just let me know.”

“No, of course not.” Tess pulled herself out of his embrace and returned to sit beside her on the couch. She reached for the bag she’d brought and placed it in Annmarie’s lap. “We have to have lunch, so we can have these.”

“What are they?” Annmarie asked.

“Cookies from Pistelli’s bakery,” Tess said. “Your son got me addicted.”

He laughed and said, “Easy to get addicted to those.”

“I love their cookies,” Annmarie cooed. Her obvious delight warmed Logan’s heart.

“Well, I thought you might like some once we got some lunch in you,” Tess said.

Annmarie gave her a long look. “A ploy to get me to eat? What am I, a five-year-old? I get the reward of dessert if I eat lunch? Ha!” She chuckled and tsked as she added, “You’re transparent, my sweet girl.”

Tess merely shrugged and said, “Not sorry.”

Logan’s already mushy heart expanded. Tess clearly cared about his mother . . . he loved her even more for that. He rose from his chair and said, “I’ll get lunch to the table, then. You can entertain my mom with stories about your brothers while I set up.”

“Are your brothers entertaining?” Annmarie asked.

“Sometimes. They sure think they are.” Tess laughed wryly.

“How many brothers do you have?” he heard Annmarie ask just as he walked out of the room.

He’d made a hearty but simple lunch, a Crock-Pot full of beef and vegetable stew he’d let start cooking the night before. Full of iron, protein, and some fats, it would give his mom some strength if she’d eat even a tiny bit of it. He knew she had no appetite, but still held out hope.