“Well,” Janet said, eyes glassy with warmth and whiskey, “any girl would be lucky to be your sugar baby, sweetheart.”
She reached over the bar and gave Logan’s hand a fond little squeeze.
I looked up at him, and he was already watching me—then he winked.
His smirk was lazy and crooked, and that damn wink?
It nearly stopped my heart.
I cleared my throat and shifted focus.
Don’t get swept up, Ellie. Ask questions. Stay grounded.
I turned the conversation back to Terry and Janet.
How long had they been together?
Twenty-five years.
Any kids?
Four boys.
Born and raised here?
Every day of their lives.
There was something grounding about asking strangers questions in a bar like this.
It helped drown out the way Logan was starting to make me feel.
“I’ll be right back,” Logan said, tapping my shoulder lightly. “Bathroom.”
I nodded as he walked away, watching the sway of his stride disappear through the back door.
The second he was out of sight, Janet leaned in, eyes darting toward the hallway to make sure he was really gone.
“I know I don’t know you two from Adam,” she said in a conspiratorial whisper, “but that man is not looking for a sugar baby.”
My breath caught.
Shit.
She saw through it.
“What—I…”
Terry leaned in, grinning like he was in on the biggest secret of the night.
“Darlin’,” he said, “he’s lookin’ for you.”
Janet nodded solemnly.
“You should’ve seen the way he watched you while you talked, like you roped the moon, the cattle,andhis heart.”
I glanced toward the narrow hallway where the restrooms were tucked away, and I could practically hear the pounding of my heart.
IfIwas feeling it—this slow, aching pull toward Logan—and strangers like Janet and Terry wereseeingit…