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“Dad liked to surf too,” he said. “I’m better at it than he ever was, but it was another thing people liked to comment on. Never mind the fact Mum is a surfer and I could just as easily have inherited the love of surfing from her.”
He lost his train of thought. Where had he been going with this?
“The point is, all of these people in my life were telling me I was just like Dad, and somewhere along the way, I started to believe them. I thought that if I ever got serious with someone, I’d end up hurting them and abandoning them the way Dad did with us, so I decided it was easier to be single. The longer I stayed single and only had one-night stands with women who knew the score, the more it reinforced everything I was telling myself about my ability to commit to someone.”
He sighed and raked his fingers through his hair.
“But then I met you, and even though I knew it was risky, I couldn’t help being with you over and over again. I always thought that if there was a woman who’d tempt me to try a relationship, it was you. When you moved here, I hated seeing you date those other men. I wanted you all to myself, but I told myself it was best for you if I stayed away.”
She huffed and opened her mouth, no doubt to say something snarky and one hundred percent correct, but he kept going. He needed to get this out.
“When you got pregnant, I realized we’re bound together no matter what. My reasons for staying away are no longer valid, and honestly, I don’t want them to be.” He took her other hand and looked into her slightly narrowed eyes. “I want everything with you.”
Gabby watched him steadily. He could see thoughts darting through her golden eyes but couldn’t tell what they were or how she’d react to his confession.
“Please say something,” he prompted. “I’m starting to sweat.”
She barked out a laugh. He relaxed a tiny bit. If she were upset, she wouldn’t have laughed like that, right?
She released his hands and propped hers beneath her chin. “You’ve given me a lot to process, so I’m going to go through it bit by bit.”
“Okay.” Did that sound bad? He thought it sounded bad.
“First off, fuck your dad. He sounds like a deadbeat who decided too late he’d rather not have kids and you guys paid for that. Secondly, people were wrong to compare you to him. That’s a shitty thing to do. They were probably trying to make you feel closer to him because he wasn’t around, but I doubt they stopped to think about the effect they were having on you. As for you failing someone the way he did, I don’t know him, but I do know that you’ve been beside me every step of the way throughout this pregnancy. You’ve given me someone to lean on, even when I didn’t expect it, and you’ve helped me in ways I didn’t know I needed.” She glanced across the table at her discarded bowl. “Do you know how happy I was to see you here, because I knew it meant I wouldn’t have to do everything myself?”
He shrugged. “It’s just dinner.”
“No, it’s a sign that you care. You were here for me when I needed you. You stood up for me with Henry, and you comforted me. All along, you’ve given me everything I need and asked for nothing in return.”
“Well, it is my fault you’re pregnant,” he mumbled.
She shot him a look. “My point is that you’re a good man. Do I think you’re an idiot for spending years avoiding a relationship because of some misconception that you’re version two-point-oh of your father? Maybe a little. Do I think it’s high-handed of you to make decisions for people about what risks they’re willing to take? Yeah. But deep down, you’re kind and decent.”
“You’re really selling me,” he said wryly.
She leaned closer and brushed her lips over his. He closed his eyes and breathed in her earthy scent. “What I’m saying is: yes, Logan. I want a relationship with you. We don’t have to make any promises, other than that we’ll both do the best thing for the babies at all times. Other than that, let’s just take it day by day.”
19
“Reporting for duty, sir.”
Logan glanced up from wiping down the bar top and grinned at his new bartender, Peach, who stood on the other side of the bar with her blonde curls loose around her shoulders and a sultry smile on her lips. He scanned her, noting the tight pink tank top and small denim shorts that revealed tanned legs. If she was angling for tips, she was going about it right.
“Hi, Peach. Are you ready for your first shift?”
“Absolutely. Where do you want me?”
“Come around here.” He kept his eyes determinedly off her as she sashayed closer. He recalled her being more businesslike in the interview, but he supposed people always were.
The door opened and Betty and Mavis walked in, scarves wrapped around their necks and matching gloves on their hands. They’d probably been knitted by their friend Nell, given the bright shades of pink and green. Nell had never met an improbable color combination she didn’t love.
“Perfect,” Logan said. “Why don’t you serve these ladies while I prep the coffee machine?”
“On it.” She flashed him another provocative smile and turned to face Betty and Mavis. He busied himself but listened while she greeted them and took their orders. She was friendly, polite, and poured just the right amount into their glasses. When they took their drinks to a table, she approached him with an eyebrow raised. “Did I pass the test, boss?”
He chuckled. “You did well.”
Another customer entered and he hovered nearby while Peach got their drink. When she finished, she returned to him.
