“Wow.” Her smile widened as she caught Logan’s eyes.
“You like?”
“I love.”
He grinned. “Come on, let’s go and meet everybody.”
Courtney took a deep breath, trying to ready herself to meet Logan’s business partner and friends. He’d told her about them on the way here. Paris Northman, the main investor and his partner, Ryan Nolan, the head chef, not to mention all the other people he’d met over the years that he’d been involved with the Boston restaurant industry.
For some strange reason, she felt even more nervous than she had meeting his family. At least they’d shared some common background, living in Hartson’s Creek. But here she felt like a fish out of water.
“Logan! You’re here.” A tall, glamorous woman with gleaming dark hair walked toward them. She was wearing the highest heels Courtney had ever seen, but they had no effect on her confident gait. Her dress was molded to her perfect curves. Courtney swallowed hard as the beauty leaned forward to press her ruby red lips against Logan’s cheek. “Ryan’s been asking for you. He has a few questions about tonight. Can you go see him in the kitchen?”
Logan smiled at her. “Sure.” He glanced at Courtney. “Will you be okay here for a minute?”
“Of course she will.” The glamorous woman turned her beaming smile on Courtney. “I’m Paris. You’re Courtney, right? Come with me, I’ll introduce you to everybody.”
She seemed nice. And stunning, too. “Sure,” Courtney nodded. “Let’s go.”
Paris lead the way toward the large table in the center of the restaurant. Ten people were already seated, large crystal glasses of red wine in their hands, their voices loud as they chatted to each other.
“Everybody,” Paris called out. The chattering quieted as they all turned to look at her. “This is Courtney. Logan’s friend.” She frowned. “Is friend right? I have no idea what to call someone who’s not really in a relationship but having a baby.”
“Baby momma,” somebody called out.
“Friend with benefits,” another shouted.
“Let’s stick with friend.” Paris smiled at Courtney again. “And by the way, she has the most amazing accent. Remember how Logan sounded when he first came here?”
“Ah, we rubbed that off him very quickly,” a woman, almost as stunning as Paris, said. “I’m Jorga.” She held her hand out to Courtney. “I used to work for Logan and Paris, but now I own my own place in Back Bay.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Courtney shook her hand firmly.
“Ooh, you’re strong.” Jorga grinned.
“That’s because she works on a farm,” Paris said, pointing at the empty chair next to Jorga. “You sit there, and I’ll be next to you. All girls together.”
“Sure.” Courtney nodded, taking the seat that Paris was pointing at.
“So, you work on a farm?” Jorga asked, her eyes wide. “Like with pigs and animals and stuff?” She sniffed, as though trying to see if Courtney smelled of farm animals.
“I do. Though my father-in-law takes care of most of the livestock.” As soon as she said it, Courtney knew she’d made a mistake. Both Jorga and Paris whipped their heads around to stare at her.
Jorga’s brows knitted together. “Logan’s dad runs a farm?”
“I didn’t know you were married,” Paris said almost at the same time.
“I’m not.” Courtney inhaled sharply. “I mean, I was. But my husband died, a couple of years ago.”
“I’m so sorry.” Jorga sounded genuinely sad. “That must have been awful.”
“It’s okay. It was a while ago.” Courtney glanced at the kitchen door, willing Logan to come back.
“But still, losing a husband like that must have had a huge impact,” Paris added, her eyes narrowed as she took Courtney in. “And now you’re pregnant. Another big thing to deal with.”
“Yeah, I guess it is. But I’ve had time to get used to it,” Courtney told her. “I’m ready to be a mom.”
“Well that’s good,” Paris said, giving a little laugh. “Because I can’t see Logan being the best dad.”
Her words felt like a slap to the face. “What do you mean?” Courtney asked.
Paris grimaced. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. It’s not my place.”
“She’s right though,” Jorga leaned in. “He’s such an alpha male. So in control of his life. I can’t even picture him holding a baby.” Her eyes widened. “Imagine spit up on one of his designer suits. It’ll drive him crazy.”
“He’s a neat freak,” Paris agreed.
“Right? Have you seen his apartment?” Jorga asked Courtney. “It’s like a double page spread in Boston Life.”
Courtney tried to ignore the twist in her gut. They weren’t saying anything she hadn’t already noticed. “Babies change us all, I guess.” She pressed her lips together. “He’ll get used to it.”
Paris plastered a smile on her lips. “Of course he will. It’s just a shame that he has to leave this behind. He’s worked so hard to build up these restaurants. I’ve never seen a guy who loves his job so much. He eats, drinks, and lives the hospitality business.” She sighed. “There’s going to be a huge hole in his life.”
Courtney closed her eyes for a moment, remembering the excitement on his face as they walked inside this restaurant. He looked so alive it had warmed her heart.
Could he really leave all this behind to move to Hartson’s Creek?
“Can I get you a drink?” one of the wait staff asked her. “We have a wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon I can recommend.”
“I’ll just take some water please,” Courtney told him.
“Sure. We have sparkling, semi sparkling, still, and still with a twist of lemon?”
“Just tap water is fine.”
“You can’t have tap water,” Jorga protested. “Not with food like this. Bring her a Perrier on ice and a slice of lime.”
“It’s okay. I don’t really like fizzy water.” Courtney wrinkled her nose.
Jorga bit down a smile. “I haven’t heard it called fizzy for ages.”
“I’ll bring a bottle of still and sparkling for the table,” the waiter said, as though he felt sorry for her. “Then you can decide.”
Courtney nodded.
