Logan (Wild Boys After Dark, #1)(38)

“Don’t tell me, sugar. Just know that whatever it is, if you need to talk, Willow and I are here. Any friend of Logan’s is a friend of ours.”

Willow stood beside the table holding the box her mother had set on the counter. “Mom, I have enough soap. I’ll share it with Bridge.”

Roxie released Stella’s hands and rose to her feet. “Nonsense. You can never have enough soap.”

Willow rolled her eyes. “My mom makes her own soap and other incredibly delicious-smelling lotions and fragrances.”

“Did I see Mom’s car?” Another tall blonde, with a little boy perched on her hip, came through the archway that led from the flower shop. Stella quickly realized it was Bridgette, Willow’s older sister. Willow had raved about Bridgette and her three-year-old son, Louie. The only similarities between the sisters were their friendly smiles and their green eyes. Bridgette’s shoulder-length hair was wavy and thick with multiple shades of blond and brown, while Willow’s was as blond as blond could be, and her braid hung almost to her waist.

“There’s my little pumpkin.” Roxie reached for Louie.

“Grandma Roxie!” He wrapped his lithe arms around her neck and hugged her with all his might. Roxie glanced over her shoulder at Stella. “Nice to meet you, Stell. I’m going to take my boy into the flower shop and see what he’s been up to in there.”

Stella felt a pang in her heart at the scene unfolding before her. She longed to see her mother, to know how she was feeling and to feel her arms around her.

No sense pining over something I might never be able to do again.

As she’d done so many times before, she tucked thoughts of her mother away and focused on Willow and her family. Bridgette was less animated and much leaner than curvy Willow, though they were both equally beautiful.

Bridgette reached into the box, and Willow turned the box away from her with a mischievous smile.

“Willow!” Bridgette smiled at Stella and rolled her eyes, like this was a familiar battle. “Hi. I’m Bridgette, and that little monkey was my son, Louie.”

Stella returned the smile. “Hi, I’m Stella. A friend of Logan’s.”

Bridgette and Willow exchanged a glance that told of sisterly secrets. Stella felt a pang of longing again. She was envious of the energy between the two girls, and it made her long for friendships again. She’d become an expert at ignoring her loneliness, but being here with Willow today brought it all to the forefront.

Bridgette set an assessing gaze on her.

“What?” Stella asked with a hint of confusion.

“Logan doesn’t bring friends here,” Bridgette said. “We’ve met one of his hot brothers, but otherwise, he comes alone.”

“She’s his girlfriend,” Willow said with an air of confidence. When Stella opened her mouth to respond, Willow handed the box of soap to Bridgette and held a palm up to Stella. “Don’t even try to deny it.”

“I’m not getting in the middle of this, but you could do a lot worse than Logan. He’s the nicest guy around, and easy on the eyes, too.” Bridgette glanced in the box. “Take what you want and I’ll put the rest in the pantry so we can share them, Will.”

Willow plucked a few bars of soap from the box. The door opened behind them, and they all turned. Logan’s eyes zeroed in on Stella. Her pulse quickened as he placed his hand on her hip, and pressed his lips to hers. She stole a glance at Willow and Bridgette, and they were both smiling.

They looked at each other and said in unison, “Definitely his girlfriend.”

Stella felt her cheeks heat up and caught Logan’s confident—proud?—gaze. The idea that he would be proud to be with her made her stomach do that flippy thing again.

“Was there a bet placed, and if so, who lost?” Logan’s lips quirked up in a devilish grin.

“She lost.” Bridgette nodded to Stella before hugging Logan. “Good to see you.”

Louie came barreling into the bakery with Roxie on his heels. “Logan!” The little bundle of energy flung himself into Logan’s arms.

“Hey, buddy. How’s it going?” Everything about Logan softened as his arms circled the boy in a protective and loving embrace.

“Did you bring me anything?” Louie asked.

Bridgette touched her son’s back. “Louie, that’s not nice.”

“But he always brings me things,” Louie said as he touched Logan’s cheek with his pudgy little hand. “Don’t ya?”

Logan shifted his eyes to Bridgette, silently waiting for approval, and that thoughtful motion made Stella’s heart open to him even more. He was so different from the man she’d thought he was when she’d first seen him, and it made her realize how similar they were. Both appearing to be something they weren’t. As she watched Logan give Louie a pack of baseball cards he’d had hidden in his pocket and then crouch beside the boy as he opened them, Stella wanted to know everything about Logan. How was he so fearless when he obviously had an equally strong nurturing, loving side? Why was their connection so powerful? And what had he done today that made him look so relaxed?

“Come on, buddy. We have to get back to the flower shop,” Bridgette said as she took Louie’s hand. They said goodbye to Stella and Logan and disappeared the way they’d come.