He threads his fingers through mine and squeezes. “Thanks, Bruce.”
When I move to pull my hand back, he stops me. “You ever going to tell me exactly what that work is?”
The edges of my lips turn up with a smile as I think about all the retirees in the room. “Now really isn’t the time or place. But when you cash in on that rain check ... I’ll tell you.”
Surprisingly, I’m excited about the prospect of telling Logan.
“It’s a deal. And I promise I’ll make tonight up to you,” he says as he finally releases my hand and stands.
Before I can reply, Logan leans down and presses a kiss to my lips, and I think the entire restaurant freezes at the same moment I do.
Holy crap. Logan’s not messing around with this.
“I’ll talk to you later, Bruce.”
I nod, feeling the weight of all the stares in the room. Logan turns and takes a few steps before pausing.
“You wanna toss those steaks I left at your place in the freezer? We can grill ’em up next time.”
The weight of the stares intensifies.
“That sounds perfect,” I say, keeping my smile intact.
“Catch you later.”
The chime rings as Logan strides out of the restaurant, but all the patrons inside seem to be content continuing to stare at me, including Emmy. But where the rest of them seem curious, she looks enraged.
I push my empty plate away and pull a twenty from my wallet to leave on the table rather than waiting for my bill.
It appears I’ve overstayed my welcome at Home Cookin’.
Chapter 36
Logan
It feels good staking my claim on Banner. I’ve never before had the compulsion to do something like that, but with her, it’s exactly what I want. Gossip is going to happen either way, and she’s proven she’s tough enough to handle whatever comes her way.
I’ve been busting my ass to put the final touches on this Mustang all day, and when the owner shows up and takes a look at his fully restored car and his eyes go glassy, I know I’ve done my job right.
The classic restorations take a lot more labor, but the big fat paychecks make them worth it. Oil changes and routine repairs are my bread and butter, but restorations are what I truly enjoy.
“You guys can call it a night,” I tell Jock and Rick at six thirty. “I’m just waiting for our next project to get dropped off, and that doesn’t take all of us sitting around.”
Both men nod and head for the sinks to scrub away the grease and grime they’ve accumulated through the day.
Rick disappears quickly, but Jock stops before he heads out. “You hear any word on Jeff?”
I shake my head. “Hospital says there’s no change yet.”
“So he could go either way?”
“That’s what they’re saying. I’m heading up there tonight to get more answers.”
“It’s a shame he got caught up in that shit. My cousin’s kid got picked up with some ice. I swear, it’s a fucking epidemic.”
“It sure seems that way, doesn’t it?”
“Between you and me, there’s a guy in my pool league who all of a sudden is driving a new truck and flashing a lot of cash. I think he’s dealing, but I’m not about to narc on him.”