Page 96 of With a Cherry On Top

I unlock the screen, but instead of hitting Amelie’s contact, Charlotte’s voice message blasts through my speakerphone.

“Mmm . . . oh, fuck . . . I’m thinking about your tongue, Chef . . .”

Holy shit!

My hand flails for the screen like I’m swatting a bee. I miss. Miss again. The audio continues, lewd and unmistakable, echoing off the damn driveway like it’s surround sound. I finally manage to slam the volume down, but not before a low whimper squeaks through.

When I look up at Logan, he’s staring at me like I just kicked a puppy.

“I—sorry, I—” I clear my throat and try to summon a lie. Any lie. “I was just watching...porn today. Yeah. I love...porn.”

He blinks.

“Audio porn,” I clarify, because apparently I’m not done ruining my life. “It’s...more immersive, you know? You get to picture yourself...and it’s more family-friendly, right?”Huh?!“And, uh...”

There’s a beat of silence so long I wonder if I’ve entered a different plane of existence. “Are you sleeping with Amelie?”

“What?” The air is sucked from my lungs so fast it leaves me lightheaded, my chest twisting violently enough that Iphysicallyclench.

His eyes are sharp, assessing my reaction. “Because I might not like Ian, but I will kick your ass in his place.”

The idea of him eventhinkingthat makes the blood boil in my veins. Is that how he sees me? As some asshole who goes after other men’s wives? That Josie wasn’t just an isolated incident, but a pattern?

I step forward before I can think better of it, closing the space between us. “Are you fuckingkiddingme? You think I would do that? After everything?”

His expression doesn’t change. “You tell me. Didshesend you that?”

“No! I told you, it’s?—”

“You know, it’s not very reassuring that you’d rather me thinking you listen to family-friendly audio porn—whatever the fuckthat’ssupposed to be—than just tell me who you’re seeing.”

I laugh, but it’s humorless, jagged. “I’m notsleepingwith Amelie. She’s a friend.”

He smacks his lips. “So was Josie, before you slept with her.”

Wow.

“So that’s it?” I ask. “I’ll forever be the guy you can’t trust around your wife? The guy who’s just one step away from fucking someone else’s woman? I make one mistake, one misstep, and that’s all I am?”

“Why won’t you just tell me why you’re avoiding her, huh? Just tell me whothatwas.”

I pause, mind wandering.

Maybe Logan has a point. Sure, Charlotte is single, but she’s also the last person I should be involved with. Is he right? Am I just a step away from shoving my dick somewhere I shouldn’t?

Instead of saying any of that, I lean closer to his face. “It’s none of your fucking business.”

Logan bends down and grabs the crib. “Fine.”

My heart is still hammering, but the moment is over. I should be relieved as he walks back into the house, ready for another evening of polite, empty chatter.

I’m not.

“Why don’tyou let her sleep here?” Mom says as she closes the door behind Logan, Primrose, and the girls, then makes her way back into the kitchen. She’s talking about Sadie, who’s currently napping on Darren’s shoulder in front of the fireplace.

“Hm? No, that’s okay.”

“You look like you’re not getting much sleep. Is she still having nightmares?”