“I want the credit for not having done that even once last night,” he said, a smile tickling at the corners of his lips.
“Do you need credit for it?” she asked.
“I really do. Trust me, it’s worth recognizing.”
Melanie laughed softly, and without another word, pulled the door open and disappeared into the hallway. He went to the door and looked out just as her dark blue dress flowed behind her as she swept down the staircase.
Logan shut the door softly and pressed his lips together. Whatever this was between them, it was starting to mean something to him, and he needed to be careful. Mel deserved better than him.
He pulled out his cell phone. He’d text Graham and give him the news that his grandfather had died. It wouldn’t hit Graham too hard—he’d never met Harry. His formative relationships had been with Logan’s mom and with Caroline’s parents.
But he deserved to know, all the same.
MELANIE ARRIVED BACK at the house, and she spotted a classic Mercedes convertible in forest green parked next to Tilly’s red sports car. Adam liked classic cars, but this wasn’t one that she recognized. Unless he’d acquired a new one... Had Adam come back from Japan early? Part of her felt relieved—Tilly needed her dad right now. But seeing him again—her heart gave a squeeze. She hated that man for what he’d done to her, and she missed him, too. She missed the family they used to be and her hopes for the future, now shattered.
She didn’t want to be his fallback when he was busy with work and wasn’t even in the country. And the thought of seeing Adam again reminded her of exactly why she couldn’t be playing with whatever she was feeling for Logan. She’d given up too much for love in the past, and she’d learned her lesson.
Because Logan had left her, too. Sure, he regretted it now. Even Adam regretted losing her. Regardless, she’d given her heart over to both men, without restraint and with full trust. She’d been all in—wasn’t that how a successful relationship worked? Well, never again.
And yet, Logan’s kiss was fresh in her memory—the way he’d pulled her close, the feeling of his lips against hers, the faint tickle of his stubble against her face... It had been an emotional evening, and having her in his room like that... She didn’t know what either of them had been thinking. They weren’t naive kids anymore. He had some big issues with his late wife, and she’d been betrayed by her husband of fifteen years. Giving in to whatever she was feeling for Logan again wasn’t wise.
Melanie parked her SUV in her regular spot and hopped out. How was this going to look, walking in wearing last night’s evening wear? A nagging sense of irrational guilt clung to her as she headed up the walk and let herself into the house.
Tilly stood in the kitchen wearing a pair of low-cut jeans and a white crop top with a bowl held up in one hand. Her belly was as smooth and tight as it had always been. She cast Melanie an arch look.
“Ah. You’re back,” Tilly said.
“I’m back,” Melanie said.
“Where were you?” Tilly asked, lifting a dribbling bite of cereal to her mouth.
“I was with a friend,” Melanie said. “I fell asleep. I didn’t mean to be out this long.”
“Fell asleep.” A smile quirked up the corners of Tilly’s lips. “Yeah, I seem to remember telling you that once a couple of years ago, and you grounded me for a month.”
Melanie tossed her purse onto the counter. “I’m adult. You were not.”
“Yeah, and neither one of us fell asleep, did we?” Tilly made air quotes with one hand.
Melanie blinked. “I did.”
She looked around—Adam wasn’t in the room.
“I’m not sure I believe that, Miss Melanie,” Tilly replied. “So who was he—that guy who bought us lunch?”
“Logan—” Melanie stopped. She really didn’t owe any explanations here. “Tilly, I’m sorry I didn’t call. How are you feeling? Nauseated, still?”
“Fine for now,” Tilly said, taking another bite. “But I threw up a few times earlier this morning.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re eating now. Is your father here?”
There was a backpack on the living room floor, some crumpled bags from a fast-food restaurant and a tablet lying on the couch cushion. This wasn’t Adam...
Simon came sauntering into the kitchen. He regarded Melanie with mild surprise.
Simon was about as tall as Tilly was, and he wore slim-fitting jeans and a T-shirt with a band logo Melanie didn’t recognize. His hair was shaggy, and he had a bandage on his arm as if he had a new tattoo healing.
“Oh, hey,” Simon said, then turned to Tilly. “Are you packed yet?”
Tilly shook her head, and said past a bite of cereal, “I’m eating.”
“Well, pack!” Simon rolled his eyes. “What are you eating for again?”
“I threw up,” she said.
“So quit eating.”
“I’m pregnant, Simon,” Tilly retorted. “I’m supposed to eat. It nourishes our child. Read a book.”
“You’re going to be fat, aren’t you?” he muttered, swiping his bag off the living room floor and shoving a stray shirt inside.
Melanie’s anger surged inside of her. Fat? The father of Tilly’s child was going to go there? Her first instinct was to smack the kid, but instead she glared at Simon who was looking around the living room, picking up everything but the garbage lying on the floor.
“Pregnant women eat, Simon,” Melanie said tersely. “And weight gain is healthy. What isn’t healthy is whatever relationship you two seem to have.” She turned to Tilly. “Packing for what?”
“We’re leaving,” Simon answered for her. “Come on, Tilly. Let’s go.”
“I’m not packed!” Tilly repeated, raising her voice. “And I’m eating!”
“Going where?” Melanie raised her voice to match Tilly’s. “Your father is coming here to get you!”
“Whatever!” Tilly shot back. “So tell him not to bother!”
“Where are you going?” Melanie repeated.
“Away. Somewhere. Anywhere. What does it matter? I’m getting out of your precious lake house.”
“I don’t need you to
