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“Hello?” Dad’s voice issues from the living room and I pull my hand away.

Logan turns as Dad comes down the hall. “Mr.Norton? Nice to meet you. I’m Logan.” Logan puts his hand out, a smile on his face.

Dad does a stutter step, clearly surprised by Logan’s formal demeanor. He’s acting like he’s about to walk into a job interview. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you as well. I heard my mother has been recruiting you to help her around the house.”

“Yes, some, but I’m happy to help.”

“Right, well, I appreciate that.” Dad’s eyes flick to me for a second. “And you play games with Quinn?”

“D&D.” Logan glances at me, but there’s no spark like there was a moment ago when we were alone. He might aswell be smiling at a mildly amusing cereal ad on TV. “Quinn’s been a great addition to our group.”

“Good, I’m glad to hear that. Well, it’s kind of you to come, but it really isn’t necessary. We’ve got it handled.”

“Sure, I don’t want to interrupt,” Logan replies easily. He holds up the bag in his hands. “I brought some orange sherbet for Barbara. I know it’s her favorite.”

“Did I hear sherbet?” Mom says, and joins us at Dad’s side. “My goodness, what a nice gesture.” She lays a hand on Dad’s arm. “I’m so glad you’re here. It’ll perk her up to see you. Come in.”

Dad’s mouth pinches at the corners, but he never argues with Mom, and he clearly isn’t going to start today. Logan and I follow my parents into the living room. He raises his eyebrows at me as if to say,Impressed?

“You’re good, I’ll give you that,” I whisper back.

Grandma hoots and tries to stand as soon as Logan walks into the room, but he gestures for her to stay seated. “No need to get up for me. How are you? I heard you took a tumble.”

“Not as bad as you did when you tried playing pickleball.”

He laughs loudly and the rest of us join in. “And I see you’re not going to let me forget it,” he admits. “I brought you your favorite flavor.”

A wide smile takes over her face, showing every laugh line and wrinkle. She looks beautiful and it makes my heart tug to see Logan’s effect on her. What is he doing to me? I’m trying my very best not to fall for him and he returns the favor by giving my grandmasherbetand making her smile like she’s a teenager again? No one can win that war.

Grandma whips her head to the rest of us. “I don’t see you all bringing dessert. Just empty boxes.”

We look around sheepishly.

“I could run out and get something?” Andrew says.

“Oh, never mind now.” She waves a dismissive hand athim.

“We’ll work on him,” Logan says conspiratorially. “And I see they’re making your living room all cluttered too. How about I get some of these boxes out of here so they aren’t an eyesore.”

“Thank you, dear. At least one person around here has some sense.” She pats his cheek fondly and settles herself back into her chair.

Logan turns around and gives me a wink. “Quinn, how about we clean this stuff out?”

“Um, sure.”

Mom hands me my coat from the side of the couch with a knowing smirk on her face. I’m so busted.

I grab the closest box and carry it outside to Dad’s trunk. “So let me get this straight,” I say as I come up beside Logan. “She can’t stop complaining about us being in her house, but then you show up, woo her with a gift, and convince her that it’s her idea for us to take everything out of her house? Like, how?”

“The word you’re looking for ischarm.” He puts the box in the trunk and steps closer to me. “Or haven’t you noticed?”

“Oh, I’ve noticed,” I say softly.

We go back into the house and collect the next set of boxes to bring out to the car. Andrew eyes us suspiciously—like he thinks I’m getting away with something by having afriend here to help with Grandma—but he doesn’t complain. I half expect my dad to follow us out, maybe throw out a few intimidating questions to Logan just for the fun of it, but Grandma is keeping him and Mom busy. And I think I catch her wink at Logan as we walk out of the house together. She’s always up to something.

We set our boxes in the trunk and Logan stops me before we can go back inside. “I’m happy to see you, even under these conditions.” He brushes a strand of hair away from my face. “Your cheeks are pink from the cold. It makes you look even prettier than usual.”

“Logan.”