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TWELVE

MJ

I sat at the large picture window of the Sugar Bowl, enjoying my steaming cup of peppermint tea and daydreaming about a particular hot, sweaty rugby player, when Annie’s wild red curls came into view.

After she saw me, her blue eyes lit up and she waved. Her face twisted into crossed eyes and puffed cheeks, pulling a hearty laugh from my chest.

The bell clanked against the glass door as she entered, and I stood to greet her with a hug.

“Hey, stranger!” She squeezed me tight. “Feeling any better?” Annie smiled and perched herself atop the high stool beside mine.

I held the white ceramic tea mug and let it warm my hands. After my not-so-graceful exit at the Grudge, I was so embarrassed that I’d gone dark and ignored their calls and only texted to reassure them that I was fine.

Annie and I had become close over the last couple of years, and I had confided in her how hurt I’d been after what Trent had done. She knew that sometimes I struggled, even now, to trust again when it came to dating.

But I was the cheerful one—always quick with a joke or a kind word. I didn’t need my friends to start worrying about me .

The sooner I fessed up to what I was feeling, the sooner we could talk about something—and someone— else . “Hey, I’m really sorry about ditching you guys the other night.”

Her hand found my back as she rubbed. “We were just worried, that’s all. Are you sure you’re okay? Just tell me if we’re supposed to hate him and I will.”

“Thanks. You’re a girl’s girl, you know that?” I leaned into her. “No, it turns out that Logan not only knows Trent, but is his best friend.”

Her eyes went wide. “Oh, shit ...”

I shrugged. “What are the odds, right?” I pressed a hand to my chest. “If you’re me, pretty good, apparently.”

Annie frowned as I watched her try to wrap her mind around it.

I shook my head. “It’s fine. There was really nothing between Logan and me anyway.”

Her eyes sliced to me. “MJ ... it’s okay to admit that you kind of liked him. It’s okay to be disappointed. Besides, who knows ... maybe it doesn’t matter at all that he knows Trent. No expectations, no heartbreak, remember?”

No expectations, no heartbreak.

I repeated her words like a mantra. “I promise, it’s fine. We had a few flirty moments, that’s all. I think I just liked the possibility of him. I doubt very much he’ll be interested in dating his best friend’s ex-girlfriend. I think there’s a bro code about that or something. Besides, I don’t even know how I feel about it. It all suddenly seems ... gross. We agreed that being friends is best.”

Annie nodded in solidarity. “I get it. But maybe this was a good thing. Maybe it means you’re ready for something more.”

I sat quietly and nodded. Logan was nothing like Trent ... but that was the problem. He was better. And that made this whole thing feel even more dangerous.

“Bummer about those thighs, though ... what a waste.” Annie sighed, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’ll cheers to that.” I lifted my cup and took a sip of tea, letting its warmth spread across my chest.

“I think the next time you see him, make sure he’s the one who’s flustered.” My brow pinched down so she continued. “Next time you see Rugby Jesus, just flip your hair and pretend like he doesn’t exist. His ego won’t know what hit him.”

I cackled, drawing curious looks from patrons at the bakery. My hand clamped over my mouth as I giggled. “You’re ridiculous.”

Annie only winked and bumped her shoulder to mine. “All right, let’s go.”

I swallowed the last bit of my peppermint tea. “Go? Where to?”

Her hand slapped the white countertop as she hopped down from her stool. “I’m kidnapping you.”

I shook my head. Annie was always full of mischief. “Kidnapping me?”

She stood and tucked in the stool. “Yes, I’m kidnapping you. Lee is finishing up his shift at the fire station. And you already said you weren’t working today.”

I looked at my empty cup. “Don’t you have a job?” I teased, hoping she wouldn’t pick up on the fact I was still in the middle of a self-pity party.

Annie folded her arms. “I’m an artist and an entrepreneur. I make my own hours. Plus, my muse is a fickle bitch, and right now she’s telling me that my next art project is you .”

My face twisted. “Me?”

Annie grinned and flipped her curly red hair over one shoulder. “Okay, in fairness, I did watch The Princess Diaries last night.” She exhaled a wistful sigh. “It has an incredible makeover scene, and I am dying to re-create it.”

I fought a smile. “And you didn’t think to make over yourself?”

She blew a raspberry with her lips. “Myself? Well, that’s no fun.” Annie’s lips rolled as excitement buzzed through her body.

My eyes narrowed on my friend. “There’s something else, isn’t there?”

Annie squealed like whatever secret she was keeping came clawing out of her. “Okay, fine. I was also hoping you might go on a double date with Lee and me.”

“A double date?” My eyes widened.

Logan’s handsome face flashed in my mind. Sure, I was itching to try on this new bad-girl persona, and we’d agreed to just friends ... but I also had zero desire to get set up with another man right now.

I shook my head. “No way, not a chance, Annie. I know all about the blind dates you set Lee up on.”

Annie tossed her head back and cackled. “This is totally different. Kenny is a fun guy. I actually want you to be happy.”

I pouted at the insinuation. “I am happy,” I countered.

Right?

It wasn’t really a lie. I mean, I was mostly happy.

Annie was practically dancing out of her skin.

I exhaled. “There’s no way I’m getting out of this, is there?”

Annie’s lips folded in as she shook her head. “Nope.”

I tilted my face to the ceiling and let out an audible groan before looking down at my crew neck sweatshirt and jeans.

“And what’s wrong with dating me just the way I am?” I asked.

Annie grinned, probably because she knew I was seconds away from caving. “Absolutely nothing. I’m just also looking for an excuse to go shopping. It’s a win-win.”

Annie’s blue eyes went big and round. “Please,” she pleaded.

Agreeing would make Annie happy, and that tugged at me.

It’s one stupid date. It doesn’t have to mean anything other than a night out of the house.

I huffed and held up one finger. “Fine. One dinner.”

Annie clapped. “Eek! Okay, let’s go.”

* * *

I stared at my reflection in the dressing room mirror. The skirt was too tight and the top was cut way, way too low. “Remind me again why I agreed to this?”

From behind the curtain, Annie said, “Because you love me. Also, I thought a lot about what you said the other night.”

I laughed, looking myself over. “You mean the part where I screamed I know my way around a dick in the middle of the Grudge?”

God, how many times had I replayed that scene in my head? Me and my ridiculous mouth.

Annie laughed. “Exactly. You’re entering your Hot Girl Era.” Her arm thrust through the curtain, holding an olive-green dress. “Try this. And,” she continued, “because fuck Trent floppy dick Fischer and every one of his hot, rugby-playing friends. You’re better than that.”

I bristled at the mild insult toward Logan, though I couldn’t help but laugh at her nickname for my ex. Typically I opted for being the bigger person and used colorful insults only in my mind. To be honest, it was a bit of a relief to share my hatred with someone else.

I slipped out of the clothes and looked at myself in the mirror. Part one of MJ’s Magical Makeover was a brand-new, matching set of bra and panties. Annie had insisted that the secret to feeling flawless in any outfit was a pretty set of matching underwear.

I stared at the lacy, orchid-purple undergarments I had chosen. The memory of Logan telling me my purple sweater looked good on me and that purple was his new favorite color had drawn me to this particular set.

Why do I even care that purple was his favorite? Stupid brain. He probably exudes superhuman pheromones or something.

The bra cut low across my breasts, propping them up, and the see-through lace was delicate and feminine. The matching French-cut panties had a lacy edge that made my ass look fuller and sexier than it was.

It was impossible to deny—Annie had a point about matching underwear.

With a smile, I slipped into the olive-green dress. It hugged my curves and scooped low enough to be sexy, but not too revealing. I turned to see what it looked like from behind.

Huh. Not half bad.

With a pair of tights and some cute boots, I could definitely pull this off.

Annie handed me yet another outfit—this time it was a gray oversize cashmere cardigan and black leather pants.

“We said one dinner. Why do I need all this stuff?” I slipped off the olive dress and eyeballed the cropped leather pants.

Annie poked her head between the curtains of my dressing room, and my hands immediately crossed over my chest.

“Retail therapy.” She disappeared again and I exhaled.

Well, I had been in actual therapy for as long as I could remember, so I doubted therapy of the retail variety could do any harm.

With a deep breath, I tugged on the pants and slipped on the cardigan. It was the softest material I’d ever worn. A small smile lifted at the corner of my mouth as I looked at my reflection.

“You’re awfully quiet in there,” Annie called. “Let’s see it.”

With a grin, I pulled open the dressing room curtain and turned.

Annie clapped once. “Hot damn! That’s definitely it.” She stepped forward, adjusting the neckline so it clung dangerously close to the edge of my shoulder and unbuttoned the top button of the cardigan. “Tuck in the front?” Her artist’s brain was whirring as she examined me, and I did as I was told. Annie sighed. “It’s perfection .”

When I looked over my shoulder in the mirror, I couldn’t help but smile. It was perfect. The outfit was chic and edgy but, somehow, still me .

My heart raced. No one could look at me and think little sister .

I still hated that Logan kept popping into my mind. I also hated that Annie was trying to set me up, but I could be what she needed me to be for a single dinner.

I was good at being who people needed me to be.

With a smile, I looked at Annie and hoped I sounded genuine, despite wanting nothing to do with her setup. I sighed. “So tell me a little more about Kenny.”

* * *

Twirling Fox was a brand-new ramen restaurant that had opened over the summer on the outskirts of Outtatowner. I hadn’t had the opportunity to try it out, so dinner with Annie, Lee, and Kenny was as good a time as any.

Sadly, the tonkotsu ramen was the only drool-worthy part of the evening.

Sure, Kenny was conventionally attractive with his swooping blond hair and devilish grin. He was handsome, but boy did he know it. He was also the funniest person in the room—don’t worry, he’d tell you.

Call me too picky, but from the moment I met Kenny, I knew there wouldn’t be anything beyond this pathetic setup.

He was too brazen.

Too loud.

Too ... young .

My mind immediately caught on the memory of the tiny streaks of gray hair that were forming at Logan’s temples. I wondered if he even knew they were there or if they bothered him.

They certainly bothered me, but not in the way they should.

I shook away the thought. Kenny was my age. It was ridiculous to think he was too young for me.

Still, I couldn’t deny that there wasn’t even the tiniest heart palpitation. When it came to Kenny, I was flatlining. Biting the dust. DOA.

Bad girl or not, I needed to feel something , even if I was planning to keep any potential relationship casual.

“Am I right?” Kenny’s gentle nudge thrust me into the present. I looked around, having no idea what we were supposed to be talking about.

I hummed and nodded, hoping that was an appropriate response to whatever tale he was telling, and took a hearty bite of ramen so I didn’t have to talk again.

“But you’ve talked to him, right?” Kenny nodded expectantly as I stared, struggling to catch up. “Logan Brown.” Kenny shook his head and laughed. “It’s so cool there’s a gold medal Olympian in our midst.”

I could feel my ears get hot as I swallowed. “Oh, uh ... yes. His grandfather lives at Haven Pines, where I work.” I looked to Annie for help.

She gently cleared her throat and tried to divert the conversation. “So, Kenny, why don’t you tell MJ about the award you received. Chief’s Company is a big deal.”

Pride swelled in his chest as he droned on about the prestigious award he’d been given. As a firefighter, Chief’s Company was a hand-selected group of men and women who received the honorary titles as a reflection of exemplary service.

I forced a smile. “The best of the best,” I said. “Impressive.”

Kenny leaned over, draping his arm casually on the back of my chair. His fingertips brushed against the exposed area at the back of my neck, and I wanted to crawl out of my skin.

“I’m glad you think so.” His voice dipped low, and I fought the urge to instantly recoil. “Most women can’t resist a man in uniform.”

I stifled a gag. Uniforms are great—especially if they come with the ability to stop talking.

I cleared my throat and placed my napkin on the table. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to use the ladies’ room.”

I stood and glanced at Annie. Her brows were up as she nodded, as if to ask, Need me to come too?

I smiled at her and jerked my head, silently letting her know that I was fine. I pushed my chair in and excused myself.

When I turned, I was stunned into place by Logan’s hard, assessing eyes. He was sitting across from a man who, from the back, looked like Wyatt Sullivan, but Logan’s attention was pinned on me. His expression was anything but friendly. A hard line formed between his brows, and my stomach jumped.

The weight of his stare settled on me like a challenge, daring me to look away first. My cheeks betrayed me, heating under his gaze, but I lifted my chin higher.

I’d win this round.

I held his stare as I walked across the crowded restaurant toward the bathrooms in the back. I didn’t break eye contact until I sailed past him and disappeared into the ladies’ room.

I braced myself at the sink and took a deep breath. Logan’s stare had been intense and mildly angry.

Why was that so fucking hot? Why did one look from him make me feel like I was teetering on the edge of something I couldn’t control?

I checked my makeup and readjusted the cardigan to make sure it was placed exactly like Annie had told me to wear it. My lipstick had all but disappeared while I ate, so I touched it up before fluffing the soft curls in my hair.

After a reassuring breath, I determined I’d let my hips swing, just a tiny bit as I walked past Logan again. With a sly smile, I exited the bathroom and came to a screeching halt.

Logan was in the dimly lit corridor with his arms crossed and a pissed-off look on his face.

I lifted my chin. “Hey, Logan,” I greeted.

“Who’s the dickbag?” His voice rumbled across me, and a hum fluttered low in my belly.

The heat in Logan’s eyes sent my pulse skittering, but I forced myself to remember our agreement.

Friends. Just friends.

Even if his intensity was starting to unravel every bit of resolve I had.

My nose crinkled. “Kenny? He’s Lee’s friend—Annie’s attempt at matchmaking.” I flicked my hair over my shoulder to settle my nerves. “He’s nice.”

Tension narrowed the corridor between us. “Nice doesn’t put that look in your eye.”

I scoffed and crossed my arms, trying to erase whatever look Logan thought he saw. “And what look is that?”

One eyebrow crept up his forehead. “Like you’re trying not to laugh every time he opens his mouth.”

A smile twitched at the corner of my lips. He wasn’t entirely wrong.

Logan’s eyes landed on my collarbone, hovering there before they moved across my shoulder and up my neck to meet my eyes.

“He’s nice enough for you to get cozy with, I noticed.” Annoyance simmered on the edge of his words.

I bit back my own annoyed response. Logan Brown didn’t have the right to act jealous. Not when pursuing something with his best friend’s ex was completely off-limits and we had just agreed to keep things platonic.

“I should get back.” I had stepped past him when his hand caught the crook of my elbow. Instead of dropping it, his fingers slid around, encircling my arm.

His grip wasn’t rough, but it held me in place, and his eyes burned with something I couldn’t name. Was it jealousy? Possessiveness? Whatever it was, it sent an infuriating shiver up my spine.

His hand was warm, firm, and for a moment I forgot how to breathe. My body leaned into his touch before my brain kicked in and alarm bells blared.

His voice was dark. Intimate. “I have another game coming up. I could use a little luck.”

And there it is.

It wasn’t attraction. It was his ridiculous hunch that I was somehow lucky to the team.

I pulled my arm from his grasp. “I need to get back.” Anger crept into my voice. I walked away, and my hips swayed as I left him in the dark hallway. I paused and looked at him over my bare shoulder. “I’ll think about it.”

I’d think about it, sure. And while I was thinking, I would pretend that the heat of his stare wasn’t still burning holes in the back of my cardigan.