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Her gaze softened. “You took care of her?”
“Yeah.” He gripped the ankle propped on his leg. “She didn’t really have anyone else around to help.”
“How’s she doing now?”
“She’s good. She’s in remission, and we’re just waiting for that magic five-year mark.”
Jeni smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.”
Logan steered the conversation away from his family. “How was work today?”
Jeni crossed her legs in front of her. “Fine. Busy.”
“Sometimes I don’t mind busy days at the office. Even though I like my job, it’s nice when the day goes quick.”
“I get that.” She absently gazed at the television. “It feels like a lot of kids are entering the system lately. We desperately need more foster families.”
Logan studied the freckles on her cheek. “I’ve always been curious about being a foster parent.”
Jeni’s head jerked toward him. “Really?”
“Yeah. I’m not sure I could do it as a single guy though.”
“It’s a common misconception that single men can’t become foster parents. You just have to pass muster like anyone else, same as married couples.”
“I know they’d let me,” he clarified. “I just meant I think it would be hard for me to provide the kind of home a child would need right now. I couldn’t foster a newborn because I have to go to work. And with my schedule, I’d have trouble getting older kids to and from daycare or school consistently. I have to work odd hours sometimes depending on when the Chiefs play or when there’s a publicity event.”
“There are always reasons not to do it.” Her tone was gentle, not accusatory. “It’s a serious commitment. It’s good you’re looking at it from several angles. Too often we get people who register and only last a few months.”
Logan shook his head a little. “When I do it, I won’t half-ass it. If I have a child in my home, I want to be there for them.”
Jeni’s golden eyes swept over his face, her expression softening as she listened.
“It just seemed like something I’d do with my wife someday,” he continued. “When we could take on the responsibility together.”
Her countenance changed in an instant. “If fostering required marriage, I’d be screwed,” she said flatly. “I’ve always wanted kids, so I plan to do it someday too. Hopefully I’ll eventually move up to an administrative position where I’m not at risk of being on call as much. But no matter my job, I’ll be on my own and need to figure out how to make it work.”
She really hated the idea of marriage with a passion, didn’t she?
That didn’t bode well for him and his newfound approach to relationships.
Or relationship—singular. He only had an interest in one, and he didn’t want something so casual it was easy to walk away. He’d dealt with that almost from the moment he was born, and he was finally drawing a line in the sand.
She glanced at the clock and stood. “I’d better go. It’s almost midnight.” She tugged at the hem of the T-shirt she wore. It fell to the tops of her thighs. “Should I—”
“Keep it,” Logan said quickly. He didn’t know if he could handle it if she took it off in front of him. Her coat was draped over the back of the chair, and he handed it to her with a grin. “It feels weird to say I’m glad you came over. You know, since you were trying to seduce me against my will.”
“I’m gonna win this game we’re playing, Squinty.” She put the coat on, and they walked to the door together.
He stopped short of opening the door, turning to face her instead. She stood close, and he could smell whatever perfume she’d put on. He didn’t mind it, he just liked the way she usually smelled better.
She lifted her eyes to his, the thick frames of her glasses making her beautiful eyes seem even larger.
“It’s not a game to me,” he said in a low voice. Pursuing her was one of the most serious things he’d ever done.
Her gaze dropped to his chest, like the statement made her uncomfortable. He put his fingers underneath her chin to tilt her face up. To see those one-of-a-kind eyes again. She didn’t resist the movement but closed her eyes, her eyebrows coming together in a slight frown. Her hand came up to grip his forearm, but she didn’t pull his hand away like he thought she would.
Logan inched forward as if pulled by an invisible force, studying her lashes, her freckles, and perfect full lips. His heart rose to his throat as he dipped his head lower—
