Waverly snickers as Jasper groans, and I take the seat and rest my eyes on Maggie, who’s sitting in her high chair, kicking her feet while she stacks colorful blocks painted to look like ladybugs.
“So, young lady.” Pops moves down one seat and gets comfortable. “How about you tell me about yourself because my grandson seems to have left out a thing or two.”
I have to stop myself from glancing at Rafe because unfortunately, I don’t have any idea what Logan has and has not told him. Lucky for me, part of my job is to win people over whenI want to, and right now, I want to like my life depends on it because in some ways... it does.
“Hmm... Let’s see. I was born and raised in a small town about an hour from here.”
“Are you close with your family?” he asks before I’m able to continue.
Guess this is more inquisition than exposition.
“I am. I’m the youngest of three. My brother and sister and I are all very close to our parents and our extended family.” I’m not sure what else to say without expanding on my somewhat insane family, and I’m pretty sure that’s not going to help me right now.
“And has Logan met your parents?” He sips from a bottle of soda the way most men would sip beer, and something about that makes me smile.
“Once,” I tell him truthfully. “A very long time ago when we were in college. Maggie, he, and I are going to have dinner with them soon though. The truth is they’re not very happy with the way we got married.” I really hope I’m playing this the right way. I always tell my clients to base the message you’re trying to convey with the truth when you’re trying to control the narrative. “They’re happy because I’m happy. But disappointed they weren’t involved.”
Logan places a plate in front of me and hands me a glass of iced tea. “And when is this dinner, Olive?”
Pop’s lips tip up into a crooked grin. “Olive?”
“Nickname,” Logan assures him. “She loves it.”
“Sure do,” I force out. “And I told them I’d check with you and let them know.
“Are we all invited?” Rafe perks up. “I wouldn’t mind meeting your dad. He’s a legend.”
“We can make that happen.” I smile as my stomach growls again. “But I think it’s safer this time if it’s just Logan, Maggie, and me. I’m sure Dad will want time to get to know Logan.”
Jasper laughs, and Waverly looks between him and Rafe. “Who’s your dad?”
“Dude. Her dad is Cade St. James. He’s a legend.” Okay, didn’t know Rafe was going to fanboy, but it cuts the tension a little.
“Holy shit,” Waverly gasps. “Your brother is Killian St. James? Like Lilah Ryan’s husband?”
“Yup.” Not the first time I’ll hear this and won’t be the last either. Not when my sister-in-law is arguably the most famous pop star in the world.
“Damn. Can you get tickets when she performs here?” she asks, letting her fangirling go way further than Rafe’s.
“Sure. She’ll be closing her tour out here in a few months. They didn’t want to be gone that long with the baby,” I add, taking a bite of chicken and trying not to moan when it hits my mouth. “Wow. This is really good.”
“Don’t sound so surprised, St. James,” Jasper mocks.
“Adler,” Logan corrects his brother, and I squirm.
Noted. Jasper has a serious problem with me. But Waverly seems to be swayed by my superstar sister-in-law. And that I can work with.
“Sorry.” I swallow and poke another piece. “I’m not surprised. Just starving. I don’t remember the last time I ate. Work was crazy today. Anyway,”—I turn and look at Logan, trying to change the subject—“how was your day?”
He lifts Maggie out of her high chair and sits her on his lap. “Fine. Just caught up on a few things around the house.”
Maggie’s big eyes focus on me, and for a minute, I think she might cry.
Please don’t cry.
“Hi, sweet girl,” I say softly, not sure what to do. I’m not exactly the greatest with kids.
She buries her face in her daddy’s chest, hiding, and I guess that’s better than crying.
