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Chapter Thirteen
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Logan couldn’t wait to see Cori again. He’d missed her, but the reason behind this surprise visit probably wouldn’t please her if she knew. He needed to grab a sample of her hair and her toothbrush, so he could confirm if they were related or not. How does one come up with a reason to do that?
It wasn’t going to go over too well if he kept his distance. Pretending to have a cold was the best he could come up with for not hugging or kissing her. Can’t tell you I’m freaked out we might be kin. Even thinking it made him sick to his stomach. They hadn’t crossed any major lines, but he wanted her, and that was wrong if they were related.
Of course, you have to answer your door in only a T-shirt. Fuck!
“Logan, I wasn’t expecting you.”
He forced his voice to be a bit raspy as he said, “I was out getting a little more cold medicine and just had to see you for a few minutes before going home.”
“You’re sick? Why didn’t you tell me? I’ve been worried something happened. I could’ve made... well bought you some soup. Come on in.”
He could see the concern in her eyes, and that only made him feel worse. Lying was quickly becoming a habit—one he needed to break. Convincing himself it was out of necessity didn’t change that it wasn’t right. Eventually, he’d need to come clean with her and his family. Just not today.
One nice thing about being a Henderson was having connections to get things done immediately. Jon Vinchi had promised to process the DNA for him and have the results by morning. All he needed was an opportunity, and he was golden. Well, at least, he would be when Jon told him their DNA showed no relation.
“Why don’t you go sit on the couch, and I’ll make you some tea?” Cori headed right toward the kitchen.
The bathroom was down the hall, but she’d see him if he headed that way. So he figured he’d spend a short time with her, then excuse himself and leave. He just couldn’t drag this on too long. He had a driver waiting downstairs to take the sample to Jon. Realistically, there wasn’t an urgent need. It was more of a moral battle he was facing.
Instead of sitting on the couch where he’d prefer to be, he chose the straight armchair. It gave him the separation he required, at least for now. He could hear the cups rattling as she carried them on their saucers. Logan let out a loud sneeze. He hoped it sounded more real to her than it did to him. Zoey and Alex have the theatrical talent, not me.
“Here. Drink this. I put honey and lemon in it for you. I also have some menthol rub for your chest. Put this on before you go to bed. And here are some pills to help with any congestion. Do you have a fever?”
His hands were full of supplies. “Cori, I don’t think—”
“Oh, what was I thinking? You need a bag to carry all that. Hold on. I’ll be right back.” When she returned, she not only had a bag but a box of Kleenex as well. “If you’re too sick you can spend the night here.” His eyes met hers, and she clarified. “On the couch.”
Logan really appreciated her TLC, but the clock was ticking. If things worked out, he was going to have a speedy recovery and take her up on the offer of the sleepover. But he wouldn’t sleep on the couch. That was for damn sure.
Don’t even think about it. Not till you hear back from Jon.“Actually I’d like to use your bathroom if you don’t mind.” He held his stomach as though he was going to be sick. Of course, he didn’t want to be inside for long, or she might come check on him. So he grabbed her toothbrush and pulled some hair from her brush. Then slipped both into a plastic bag like he used in his office for specimen collections. Putting them both deep into his pocket, he returned to the living room. “Sorry, Cori. I really don’t feel good. I’m going home, but you’ll hear from me sometime in the morning. Okay?”
“Are you sure you can make it?” She got up and went to hug him.
He raised his hands to stop her. “Yes, but I don’t want you to catch it. I shouldn’t have even come by.”
“Of course, you should have. Sick or not, I’m happy to see you. And if you need anything at all, I’ll have my cell phone by my bed all night. Just call me. I’ll come right away.”
Her sincerity was so damn touching. He wanted to pull her into his arms and never let her go. She was an angel right to the core. “Good night, Cori. Sweet dreams and thank you again for all the medicine.” Most people figured because he was a doctor he didn’t need to be taken care of. No one ever thought of giving him medicine; they normally only wanted some from him. It was just another thing he loved about her.
That word crept into his mind again. He refused to acknowledge it. Not right now, but soon.
Once outside, he handed the driver the package and gave him clear instructions to put it in Jon’s hands personally. Then he headed home. His bed was calling to him, but his lack of sleep wasn’t due to any cold. He was haunted by everything he’d learned in California. Part of him wished he’d never gone. The old guy had been right about one thing. Logan didn’t want to really know the truth. It wasn’t so much that his family was fucked up for at least two generations before him, but knowing that it could still affect them—and his future—fucking pissed him off.
He needed to know ASAP what those DNA results were. He needed to have a serious conversation with Cori, but the outcome directly collated with the findings. Would this be something that stayed between them or would he need to tell the rest of the family? Tomorrow I’ll know.
Cori wished Loganwould’ve agreed to stay last night. Maybe she would’ve gotten more sleep if he had. All she wanted to do was take care of him. That was tacky, a need within her, surely not what he wanted. If he had, he would’ve taken her up on her offer. She’d done enough research to know men were different from women. Men wanted women there, but not all the time. They wanted them only when they wanted them. The rest of the time, they wanted their space.
She wanted to show him she cared but worried she had come across too strong. That’s just the way she was. She didn’t do anything half-assed. Her job was done to the best of her ability, so why wouldn’t she give a relationship one hundred percent of herself as well?
Cori picked up her phone for what seemed like the millionth time, wanting to call or text and check on him, but knowing that wasn’t what Logan wanted. She’d made it clear she was worried about him, and she would be there if he needed her. But he didn’t call. He doesn’t need me. Her heart ached from holding back her feelings for him. She realized if her quest to find out the truth about her grandpa’s death was resolved, she might not have a new mission in life. Yes, she might get a promotion, but she would still be... she’d still be alone. Was that why Logan affected her so much?
Tomorrow was supposed to be Sunday brunch with his family. He still hadn’t mentioned anything to her. Were they going? His family seemed to believe so, but Logan hadn’t said a word. She could use the excuse that he was sick and it slipped his mind, but she knew that wasn’t the case. It was evident he hadn’t decided what he wanted tomorrow. Or the day after for that matter.
She knew she was overthinking this. Why couldn’t she just enjoy whatever it was they had? Because I’m getting some mixed signals from him. He’s running hot and cold. Does he want me or not?
