I made a face and muttered. “I’ll take a vodka, straight.”

It was just past noon and I rarely drank liquor, but I was going to need it if I was expected to endure any more of my mother’s touchy feely, happy couple time with a stranger. I wanted her to be happy, I really did, but preferably in the privacy of her own home, not on the one day we were supposed to spend bonding.

“Vodka?” My mother cut in, insulted, then looked up to the elderly waitress. “She’s kidding, bring her a Coke.”

I rolled my eyes, then met my mother’s disapproving glare. I never felt more like a child as I looked up at the waitress and nodded for the Coke. I let out a heavy sigh, holding up the menu to block my sight.

“I hope you don’t mind me coming along today, Cassandra,” George finally said.

“No, not at all. We were just going to spend the day at the salon and then a movie. Hope you don’t mind chic flicks.” I peeked over my menu, hoping he would take a hint.

“Actually, George and I wanted to have lunch and then the movie. I need to skip the salon today, honey. We um…sort of made plans for tonight.” She looked up at me, her eyes pleading for me to understand and let her off the hook.

My menu dropped from my hands, smacking on the table. “What? But you’re leaving tomorrow for your cruise.” My voice grew an octave higher, full of frustration and hurt.

Her expression softened. “I know and that’s why we made plans tonight. George is going with me. We were going to stay at a hotel closer to the airport tonight so you wouldn’t have to drive me so early in the morning,” she explained, offering me an apologetic smile.

I blew out a deep breath, looking away from both of them, choosing not to think about what was going to take place in said hotel room. I didn’t want to ruin their time together. My mother deserved to be happy.

“Yeah, no problem.” I caved. “I’m glad you’ll be going with her.” I looked at George and gave him a friendly smile.

“Thank you, Cassandra. I hope we can spend more time together after the holidays. Your mother is quite the lady; I plan on sticking around as long as she’ll have me.” George’s voice was optimistic, which brought a genuine smile to my face.

I sat there listening to them fill me in on their brief time together while I picked at a large chef’s salad. Every time my mother giggled, I was filled with too much happiness for her to be truly annoyed.

George pulled out his wallet to pay after the waitress dropped off the bill.

“No, let me get this,” Mom cut in, grabbing her purse.

“Felicia, I’ve told you already, I enjoy spending my money on my honey.”

I chuckled and then excused myself to the restroom, not needing to watch their playful banter.

As I walked past the bar, I heard the familiar husky voice hum through me.

“I am not asking this time. It’s important, damn it, Julia!” Logan growled into his phone.

I detoured toward him and took the seat next to his at the bar. I smiled when he looked up from his burger and fries. His hard features softened, his lips curling up into a broad smile as he took me in.

“Fine, go spend the weekend with your girlfriends, but I am rethinking your Christmas gift!” Logan slammed his phone down, took a deep breath, and then turned his stool to face me.

“To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure, sweetheart?”

“I’m having lunch with my mother and her new boyfriend.”

Logan’s brows rose at my tone.

“Boyfriend? Good for her.”

“Yeah, I know, but still a bit icky for me.” I pouted, snatching one of his fries.

“Icky? Such a childish word for an educated woman like yourself.” He chuckled, watching me roll my eyes.

“So what were you yelling at your sister for? Let me guess, she stole your credit card before jetting off on a luxurious shopping spree in Paris?”

“Not quite. I have an important business meeting tonight out of town and she just called to let me know she was half way to Hawaii for the weekend. My sister can be quite fickle at times.”

“She’s young.”

“She’s a pest, but I do love her, so now I have to find a babysitter last minute.”

“I told you, you should consider getting a nanny.” I grabbed the ketchup and popped the lid, pouring a little on his plate, then stole another fry, dunking it once and tossing it in my mouth.

“You know I don’t trust just anyone with Oliver.” He watched me take over his plate, amused. “Please, help yourself, sweetheart.” He chuckled as I grabbed yet another fry, coating it in the ketchup.

“Sorry, I had a salad. I’m still hungry.” I plopped it in my mouth then pushed his plate closer to his chest, holding my hands up that I was done. They were yummy but a bit salty. My eyes flickered to his soda then up at him.

Logan grinned. “As I said, help yourself.” He handed me the glass.

“Thanks.” I brought it to my lips and took a long sip. Ice cold lemonade. I sighed, savoring the freshness in the cold of winter. My eyes caught his and I swallowed, loudly. He was watching me. Staring at me with his head slightly tilted to the side. His casual expression hardening to something primal and raw.

I had shared drinks with plenty of boys before, but it never felt like this. My stomach clenched, feelings awakening, sending a heat wave straight through me. It was such an innocent action between friends, but between Logan and me, it felt intimate.

I pulled my gaze away, took another sip and swallowed before setting the glass back in front of his plate. “I can watch him,” I said, breaking the thick tension hanging between us.

Logan inhaled a short breath, blinking a few times. He turned his stool back, facing the bar, and took a bite of his burger. Swallowing, he looked over at me with a cocked eyebrow.

“What? You don’t trust me because I stole a few fries? Geesh.” I laughed and punched him lightly in the arm.

Logan grinned as he playfully shrugged. “I wouldn’t want to interrupt your time with your mother’s new beau.”

“Oh, please interrupt.” I gripped his forearm. “I am begging you to interrupt!”

Logan laughed. He picked up his drink and took a small sip, his lips covering the lipstick mark I left behind. I shuddered, heat scorching my cheeks. Placing it back down, he tilted his head to peer over at me.

“I’ll drop him off at your house in an hour.”

“Great, I’ll head home and dig out some board games and movies. What time will you be picking him up?” I asked, jumping down from the stool.

“It will be late. After midnight. Will that be all right? I have to take a private plane to New York for the meeting.”

“No problem. I’ll see you and Oliver soon.”

I smiled, snatching one last fry with a quick wink, before turning away and heading back to my table, no longer needing to lurk around the restroom waiting for time to pass.

“Ready?” My mother asked, standing from the booth as I approached.

“Change of plans. I have to babysit for a friend. Why don’t you guys catch a movie and we’ll get together when you get back from your cruise.” I grabbed my coat and purse from the booth.

“Oh, all right.” My mother stood there dumbfounded while I gave her a quick hug and then a small smile to George before heading out the door.