Page 69 of Break the Barrier

“Did you have a good time?” he asks, now completely casual as if this happens all the time.

Gosh, if I didn’t know any better, I would think it did.

“Yeah, it was fine. I think I’ll go to Anna’s next time,” she says, then looks at me. “She has this awesome library in her house, so we can hang out in there and pretend we’re in a fantasy book or something.”

“That sounds really cool,” I comment, smiling at her.

“Thea had a nice idea,” Logan starts, lifting his brow at me in question. I nod my head. “What if you invited your friends here, and you didn’t have to choose?”

“I thought you didn’t want to have my friends over.”

Logan looks conflicted, like he doesn’t want to tell her he’s uncomfortable having a bunch of squealing fourteen-year-olds in his house.

“Well, Thea will be here when they come over, and we can make some pizza or something. You can have a movie night.”

“Really?” she asks excitedly, turning from me to her dad. Her excitement was palpable. “I want to do that! It’s way more fun to have them here than at Grandma’s.”

“Hey.” He nudges her shoulder.

Lue turns to him. “I love Grandma, but this is my house, and all my stuff is here.”

“That makes perfect sense,” I tell her, hoping I’m not overstepping my bounds. “It could be a very fun night for you and your friends.”

“Okay! I’ll tell them at rehearsal tomorrow.” She stands and jumps in place for a moment, making me laugh at her. Logan looks over at me, amusement on his own face. “I’m going to bed! See you tomorrow, Thea!”

I laugh at her presumption that I’ll be here tomorrow. “Good night, Lue.”

She rushes down the hall to her room, leaving the room in silence.

Logan sighs and rubs his hand over his face. “Damn. I didn’t think she’d be that excited.”

“She’s a great kid.”

For a moment, I let my mind imagine what could happen if we lived together. Would we stay up late chatting, watch some TV, then head to bed together? Or would we sneak down the hallway, waiting until we were sure Lue was asleep so that we could be together each night?

A blush forms on my cheeks. It’s been such a long time since I was intimate with anyone, my confidence in the matter was completely shot after my ex tore me apart, and my trust…well, that is something that is hard to get back.

“Well.” I stand from the couch, afraid that Logan will read my face. “I should head home. We all have busy days tomorrow.”

Logan stands and takes my hand, pulling me into his arms. “I wish you didn’t have to go, but I’ll be seeing you tomorrow.”

“Right, darts,” I say, remembering our weekly bar schedule. Tuesdays were dart league.

“Ah, and…” He pauses, wrapping his arms around my lower back. I have no choice but to hold him back just as tight. “You and your sisters are invited to the wedding on Saturday.”

I blink. “Saturday? They’ve already got it planned that fast?”

“They do.” He laughs. “And I’d love if you would be my date.”

That blush that was nearly gone rises again. “I would love to.”

“Great.” His hazel eyes burn into mine, and he leans forward, dipping his head to take my lips with his in a sweet yet still passionate kiss. I can’t believe how much feeling can be put into a kiss.

I can’t believe how hard I was falling for him and how nervous I was that I was going to screw it up.

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