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Dennis’s scowling face appeared before him. “Oh. It’s you.” He looked Logan up and down disapprovingly. “The man who defiled my beloved daughter.”
Logan fell back. Ah, shit. He thought he’d been prepared for the worst, but he wasn’t. He was thinking furiously about how to respond when he saw the twinkle in Dennis’s eye.
“I’m having you on, son,” Dennis said with a hearty laugh. He patted Logan’s arm. “Let an old man have his fun.”
Logan finally dared to breathe again. “You got me.” He nodded respectfully. “That was ruthless.”
Fuck. He forced himself to take a long, slow inhale and the pinch in his chest lessened. God, he’d really thought Dennis had meant it for a minute. Not that he blamed the guy for taking a potshot. He’d just been so wound up he hadn’t considered the possibility Dennis would try something like that.
“That’s it,” June urged, her kindly face brimming with concern. “Nice and easy.” She shot a dirty look at Dennis. “Don’t mind him. He doesn’t get out enough.”
Logan shook his head. “It was a good one.” He clasped Dennis’s hand firmly. “Great to see you, sir.”
Sir? Seriously? He mentally rolled his eyes at himself. But what was he supposed to call the grandfather of his baby?
Before Dennis could reply, Shane’s car rolled up the drive. Shane was behind the wheel and he parked beside his parents. He and Faith got out, wearing identical expressions of interest, obviously curious to know what they’d interrupted.
“It’s so lovely to see you, Faith,” June said, hugging her daughter-in-law when they reached the doorstep.
Faith beamed. “You, too, June. It’s been a while.”
“Since Christmas,” June said.
The Walker family congregated at one of their houses for Christmas each year, and since both Shane and Gabby were in Haven Bay now, the parents had opted to visit them here and use it as an opportunity to throw Gabby a housewarming party. Of course, Gabby hadn’t invited Logan. Shane had asked him to come along, but he’d known she wouldn’t want him there.
“Logan,” Shane said curtly.
“Shane,” he replied, his heart squeezing again. Clearly, his friend hadn’t gotten over anything.
“So.” Faith glanced from Shane to Logan. “Who’s running the pub tonight?”
“I asked Mum to fill in.” She’d been happy to once she heard where he needed to be instead. He knew she hoped that the Prides and the Walkers could eventually have joint family events, which meant smoothing over any ruffled feathers. She’d given him strict instructions to do just that.
“Of course.” Shane greeted June with a hug, and then Dennis.
Dennis kissed Faith’s cheek. “You look beautiful, as always.”
Faith preened. Logan knew she went to a lot of effort, especially when it came to impressing her in-laws. The first time they’d met, she’d made a less than stellar impression thanks to Shane’s spiteful ex, so she loved any indication of their approval. As if they’d ever withhold it. Shane was clearly happy with her, and the boys adored her, so why would they be any different?
“Dinner smells wonderful,” Faith said, winking at Logan. “Does Gabby need help?”
“Everything is pretty much done. We’ll dish up in a few minutes.”
“Perfect.” She sashayed past him, and Dennis and June followed, but Shane lingered behind. Logan’s stomach clenched.
Shane shifted from one foot to the other, his expression taut.
“What’s up?” Logan asked.
Shane met his gaze. “Don’t lead Gabby on.”
The words hit him like a punch in the gut. “What?”
He tugged at the ends of his hair. “As Faith keeps telling me, you’re trying to do the right thing, but I know how my sister thinks. She’s a romantic. She wants kids, but she also wants a partner who’ll always put her first, and she deserves that, especially after the last asshole.” He grimaced. “Having this baby with you might make her think you’re going to be that partner, but we both know you’re not, so don’t confuse her or get in the way of her finding the man she really wants. You owe me that much.”
Logan gaped at Shane, shocked speechless. He’d always known his friends thought of him as a carefree playboy, but to hear that Shane thought he was capable of hurting Gabby that way… he was gutted. Not only that, but Shane didn’t think he was good enough for his sister. Of course, he knew he wasn’t—he couldn’t give her the white picket fence she wanted—but knowing that subconsciously and having someone say it to his face were two different things.
“I… I won’t,” he said after a long moment. “You probably don’t believe me, but I care about Gabby.”
