Between You and Me

Tess blinked, then smiled tentatively. “Thank you, but I already ate. I get up early. I’ve been up since seven.”

“Ah. Okay.” He checked the rearview mirror, then pulled out of the spot. “I’m sure he’ll be okay, by the way. Terrence.”

“He scared the shit out of me,” Tess confessed. She leaned back into the seat, the leather squeaking a bit. Stealing a quick look into the backseat to check on Bubbles, who was curled up happily on the warmed seat, Tess shook her head. “I was checking out, and I heard Oh! Then a thwack. That was his head, hitting the floor.” She shuddered as she recalled it. “He hit it hard. I whirled around, and he was down, not moving. For a few seconds, I thought he was dead.”

Logan glanced at her; her brows were furrowed and her sultry mouth was twisted tight in a frown. He said, “But he’s not. Even if he has a concussion, he’s okay. And your kindness made him feel a lot better about tripping over his own feet and lying in the middle of a hotel floor. That was good of you. Really.”

“I was worried. I didn’t know what to do for him, so I just . . .” She shrugged. Her frown loosened, and her drawn features relaxed. “You would have done the same thing, I’m sure.”

“Yeah, maybe I would’ve,” he said. He made the turn onto the main strip. “But not a lot of people around here would’ve. You know?”

Tess shrugged again. “I guess . . .”

An awkward silence fell over them for a minute. Even Bubbles was quiet. Logan cleared his throat. “The house is fine. Took care of everything.”

“Oh God. With all of this, I forgot about it!” She laughed, a self-deprecating chuckle that charmed Logan to his toes. “Tell me you didn’t stay up all night out in your truck. Please.”

“Of course I was in the truck,” he said, “but I slept, and I was fine. Honest.”

“I can’t thank you enough.” She pushed a few stray curls back from her eyes. “I’m the one who should be buying you breakfast.”

He smiled, something warm flowing through him. “I already ate too. So . . . maybe a rain check?”

Her smile was as bright as the sunlight outside. “Absolutely.”

* * *

Tess stretched out in her bed, drew a deep, cleansing breath, and exhaled it slowly. Her evening yoga class had been great, and the long soak in the deep tub afterwards even better. The royal-purple cotton pajamas she wore were so soft against her skin, it was a delight. She drew another deep breath, exhaled slowly, curled up in her bed, and let herself settle into the plush king-size mattress. Serenity washed over her. Bubbles snored lightly, an adorable furry ball on top of the blanket by her feet. The fireplace in the master bedroom was a gas fireplace, so she didn’t have to do anything now but stare at it from across the room and relax.

She still couldn’t believe what she’d done the night before. Such a stupid mistake. But at least there was a happy ending, and now a wry grin when she thought of the whole thing. And Logan . . . rushing to her aid, staying all night to watch the house, taking care of everything . . . he’d been a godsend.

A seriously handsome, somewhat surly, somewhat complicated presence who hadn’t fully left her mind since he’d brought her home early this morning.

She’d spent the day catching up on work, then had an early dinner. There were quick phone chats with all three brothers to let them know what had happened, and then she’d gone to her twice weekly evening yoga class. She liked the instructor, Carrie, the group was a good size at ten, and Tess had no problem adjusting to Carrie’s instructions and ways. Between the class and then the warm bath, she felt at peace and ready to float off to sleep.

And instead lay there wondering how Logan Carter spent his evenings after a workday.

Did he have friends? A girlfriend? He seemed like the type of man who would have both of those things, but preferred his space and solitude.

Then again, what did she know? She couldn’t believe he’d held a grudge against her for her thoughtless comment all this time. Yes, what she’d implied was offensive, but not enough to warrant that kind of stubborn grudge. At least, not in her eyes. But it had, and she felt bad about that. She was glad she’d brought up the problem, and glad they’d come to an understanding. Because for some reason, the thought of him upset with her made her . . . sad? Uneasy? Regretful? What the hell was her deal when it came to him?