It was impossible not to be drawn in by her warmth. “I’d love that.”
Maddie leaned forward, rifling through the bag hanging from the stroller. “My phone is in here somewhere,” she muttered, digging her hands deeper. “Give me your number and we’ll arrange to meet.” She looked up, her brow furrowed. “Or maybe I should give you mine. I know my phone’s in here somewhere, but damn if I can find it.” She reeled off her number and Courtney keyed it into her own cell.
“I’ll message you now,” Courtney said, tapping out a quick text. As soon as she sent it, a loud buzz came from deep in the stroller. Maddie sighed, pushing her hand down the back of one of the twins. “Here it is. I remember now. I gave it to Marley to keep him quiet. Good thing he didn’t drop it.” She leaned closer. “Don’t tell anybody I give my sons electronics, okay?” Maddie mock-whispered. “I’ll get thrown out of mother and baby club.”
“Your secret’s safe with me,” Courtney said grinning.
“I should get these two into the warm,” Maddie said, ruffling the tops of the boys’ hats. “It was so nice to meet you. I’ll message you about that shopping date, okay?”
“Great.”
Courtney watched as Maddie struggled with the stroller, having to turn it sideways to manage her way into the diner. And with that grin still on her face, Courtney walked over to the I Can Make You Beautiful salon, where she had a date with Lainey, a mug of steaming hot chocolate, and a pedicure waiting.
One day in, and this second trimester thing felt like a breeze.
I got the brownies. And the carrot cake. And the red velvet cake. Thank you. I’m about to go into a sugar coma. - C
Logan read Courtney’s message on his phone and smiled.
I wanted to give you a choice. I read that cravings can change over time. If you start wanting to eat charcoal or something, let me know. I have contacts. - L ;)
“Table three are being assholes,” one of the waitresses said, carrying a tray full of food back in to the chef, making Logan lift his gaze from his phone screen. “The steak is apparently too well done, and nobody’s gonna eat until it’s ready.” She sighed. “Sorry.”
The chef caught Logan’s eye. “The steak was perfect. Medium rare.” He grabbed an oversized knife and sliced through the meat, picking it up to show Logan. “See?”
Logan nodded. “It’s not you, it’s them. But the customer is always right. Cook another one and send it out.” He looked back at the waitress. “Is it the table in the corner?”
“The one with the eight suits. Yeah.”
“If they give you any more trouble, let someone know.” Logan nodded at her.
There was always one table that got out of hand during the holiday season. Usually because office parties began halfway through the day with drinks, then led to meals out, where people tried to one up each other with assholery. On the plus side, they nearly always gave good tips. He hoped the waitress would find it worth it.
“Thanks.” She gave him a tight smile. “But I can handle them.”
“Okay.” He grinned at her. “In that case, I need to head across town.” With things being so crazy he tried to visit each restaurant at least twice a week during service, as well as working on the renovation of their latest venture. He couldn’t remember the last time he didn’t eat on the go. Each night he’d crawl into bed sometime after two in the morning, his body aching from being up since eight the previous day.
It was manic, but this was the restaurant business. He really didn’t have a choice.
When he climbed into his car, he saw Courtney had replied.
No coal yet, but it’s still early. Thank you for trying to fulfill all my needs though. - C ;)
His skin heated up as he thought about the need he really wanted to fulfill. He shook his head at himself, a half-smile pulling at his lips. The poor woman was pregnant. She’d only just stopped throwing up at the drop of a hat. She didn’t need him lusting after her.
Yet he did. All the damn time.
He flicked the Bluetooth button on his car, and said her name. The next moment he could hear the ring of his phone echoing through the stereo speakers.
“Logan?”
“I’m driving, so I thought I’d call instead of messaging.” And if he got to hear her smooth-as-honey voice? All the better.
“You still working?” she asked softly.
“Yeah. Busiest time of the year.”
“It’s our quietest.” There was a smile in her voice. “Yet at the same time we kind of fulfill the same aim, don’t we?”
“Do we?” That half-smile was still lingering. It always did when he talked to her.
“We feed people. I grow it, you cook it. Same kind of thing.”
Weird how warm that made him feel. “Have you been working today?”
“A little,” she told him. “I had to repair some fences. Literally not metaphorically.” She laughed, and it made his body feel tighter. “But then I slept all afternoon. I don’t know why but I’ve been exhausted these past few days. I thought the second trimester was supposed to be easier.”
He frowned, coming to stop at a four way. “Are you okay? Did you talk to the doctor?”
“I’m fine. And if I called the doctor every time I was tired I’d end up having to remortgage the farm.”
“You know you don’t have to worry about money, right? If you need to call, you call.”
“Thank you. But really, it’s to be expected. My work is physically hard even at this time of year. Add that to the pregnancy, and being tired is par for the course. I’ll be fine after a good night’s sleep.”
A car honked its
